Rheumatoid Arthritis and first symptoms

[SilverBranchGoldenPears]

Hi there, I’ve been having quite sore finger joints and sore toes for a few months. A few weeks ago I had to carry a very heavy suitcase and now my elbow is literally screaming at me day and night. If I don’t move it, it becomes stiff. At first I thought I’d pulled a muscle or ligament in my arm, but now I’m wondering if my joints and my elbow reacting this badly are connected. If you have RA, how did it start? Should I be concerned. I am 50. Any feedback is much appreciated. TIA.

I started with painful, red and swollen feet and toes, it was like walking on broken glass. My hands started soon after and got so bad that I couldn’t lift a cup up, it then progressed into my shoulders, elbows, wrists and then my jaw, which was excruciating. Flares would last from two to five days at a time, then I’d be okay for awhile. My GP made an urgent referral to a rheumatologist. Once I got the diagnosis I felt relief more than anything as I knew what I was dealing with. I’ve had some pretty bad times with it, to the point that I couldn’t even dress myself. I’m now on biologics and they’ve made a massive difference, I very rarely get flares now. I’m still working but I have to pace myself because of the lethargy. Make an appointment with your GP and explain your symptoms and concerns, they’ll probably arrange blood tests at first. Good luck.

Thanks so much@CheshireCat1 for your reply. Yes I must. I was wondering whether I could just ignore it but now realising that maybe I can’t. I’m basically avoiding lifting or doing anything, which is crazy really. I’m sorry for your struggle. I’m grateful for your reply.

Could also be related to menopause. Achy joints is one of the symptoms

OP

It's all ways the smaller joints from what I have seen, eg, hands, toe joints - often followed by redness and swelling

FYI - I am no medical expert but have met many people with veraious medical conditions

Hi There. My mam has had RA for over 25 years now. Diagnosed when she was 40. It literally started with a swollen, painful, red index finger. That's it.

It escalated from there & the initial months post diagnosis were horrendous, as unfortunately the medication regime is trial & error. Not all treatment works the same for everyone. But once she figured out what worked, she was able to control most symptoms & flare ups. Occasionally, it gets bad, but she knows the "triggers" such as really cold weather for example.

It's a rather cruel diagnosis, I wish you all the best.

Thank you so much @Clueless2024 @biddybid73 and @DistinguishedSocialCommentator
it are worries me very much now that I’ve realised it could be something serious like RA.
The mention of menopause is an interesting one. Interestingly I was at the gynaecologist only last week for a check up and the doctor told me that aching joints were not her thing and I should just see my GP! I still have regular periods so maybe that is why she wasn’t interested (or she’s rubbish). But this would be preferable by far so maybe they can check with bloods too and isolate that as a possible.
I’m just so very tired of being so sore 😕

Easier said than done, but please do not try to worry - see gp, get tests - worse case scenario, even if it RA, like most medical conditions they can vary a lot person to person but until you know for sure, look at it like a temp glitch

Can anyone comment whether earlier diagnosis of RA makes a difference?

I get aching fingers and recently went to doc about lumps on my index finger joints. Was referred for x-ray to see if osteo arthritis and that came back as a “possible but probably only early stage”. However the x ray also showed some bone damage to a metatarsal in my hand (erosion I think they called it?) and the doc said that if I hadn’t ever fractured it -I haven’t- then that might be a sign of rheumatoid arthritis and so I should get the blood test if “it got any worse”. My question is, what does “any worse” feel like? I don’t want to be a hypochondriac rushing off for blood tests but it does feel like if it’s a straightforward blood test why not just do it now and then I’d know? I have private medical insurance through work.

I’m also 50, like the OP.

Also, is RA joint pain worse in the morning or the evening or neither?

When I first started with symptoms it was in my feet, then hands, shoulders and jaw. Luckily enough my GP referred me to rheumatology as urgent. The pain kept me awake at night, it had me in tears, it got to the point that I couldn’t even dress myself or even walk when the flare was in my hip (groin). I’ve now been on a treatment (biologic) that up to now has kept it under control.

I've had RA for over 20yrs. I've had 2 knee replacements and have "swan" deformed fingers.
My symptoms started with a stiff neck and then swollen sore feet and wrists. It took a long time for my GP to join the dots for referral.

I was told the clue is that symptoms will always be symmetrical, so both ankles, wrists etc which it was in my case.

This many years on my RA is well controlled with only occasional flare ups.