Does this sound like RA?

[ThatAmberCritic]

Just want to get some opinions from those suffering with RA before I bother my GP (again!). I was tested for RA around 18 months ago due to general aches and pains I was having. I have achey hips from time to time and when tested, my elbows were playing up. No stiffness or swelling, just painful to bend after carrying shopping bags for example.

I was being tested for all sorts at the time as had a lot going on but nothing came back conclusive.

ANA was borderline and Rheumatoid Factor was a weak positive. I was referred to the Rheumatologist but they didn't want to see me.

Last summer, my finger started hurting - struggled to open bottles etc. Then it settled down.

Same finger has 'flared up' again over Christmas but this time with swelling and I was unable to fully bend.

General aches and pains, left arm seems quite achey, I think it's radiating from my elbow but hard to tell. Throbbing in my left wrist that comes and goes.

Both times my finger has swollen I've had a heavy cold (which I've read can trigger RA symptoms due to inflamation).

Have a fairly strong family history of RA and associated autoimmune diseases. I also have Hashimotos.

Worth pestering GP about? I don't want to seem like I'm moaning about nothing!

Keep at it. I had to demand a blood test from my GP after being fibbed off 5 times. Rheumatoid Factor came back off the charts. I've had it for 8 years now.

My Rheumatologist has said that bloods are not always an accurate indicator of having it. You can be sero-negative where bloods don't show anything , or like me sero -positive.

Keep at them.

Have you been tested for gout?

I have hashimotos. Since turning 50 I have had more aches and pains I read it is more common alongside hashimotos. I use numerous TENS machines and massage tools, they help a lot.

No, I haven't. Will look into that!

Could it be psoriatic arthritis? I have this.
I've been told RA is usually symmetrical whereas PsA can affect random joints at different times, and not necessarily on one side of the body. Fingers are very often affected

Oh, I've not heard of this, thank you! Will look into it.

I've been told RA is usually symmetrical

Its not always the case. It's not often that happens with a flare up for me. It can be very random which joints are hit.