Rheumatoid arthritis

[Allfurcoatandnoknickers]

My mum and sister both have had RA and at the age of 58 feel I might be starting with it. I’m post menopausal, have POTs and am hyper mobile. My ring finger is swollen on the joint and feels bruised. I had bloods done last year for RA as I thought I was starting with it then but bloods showed no further action needed- the results said level 12?
I’ve booked an appointment at the GPs asking for a referral to a consultant - any advice anyone has prior to this appointment anyone can give from their experience?

Oh no, poor you!

If you can take pictures of swollen vs not swollen, as it's sod's law that you'll have 'nothing to show' when you're in front of the GP.

And maybe note down when your symptoms started, and how often you're effected and to what extent.

Do you know if your mum and sister's RA was positive to rheumatoid factor, or not? Some people are sero-negative, ie have it but it doesn't show in blood tests. Obviously RA can run in families, but to be honest I have no idea whether the tendency to sero-negativity can also run in families.

Thanks - it’s been coming on for a while. When I had bloods done in September 2023 they said no further action but would like to see someone about it so they can look into it in more detail- especially as I’m hypermobile and keep getting tendinitis issues