Does this sound like rheumatoid athritis to you? Should I see GP?

[secretlyahippy]

I'm very very rarely ill and am normally an active person especially running around looking after my 5 yo, 3 yo and 7 month old.

For the last year or two I've been having problems with my hands, they are very stiff and sore in the morning (ie. I have trouble turning door knobs etc) but by late morning they definately improve and although not completely pain free, they are totally functional again. I've always put it down to something like carpal tunnel syndrome.

My left foot is also the same, especially my toes and ball of the foot. I'm always limping in the morning when I get out of bed.

The last few weeks one of the top joints of my finger has become swollen and the finger bends inwards ever so slightly. I don't think I have broken it.

Anyway, the swelling of the joint has got me thinking naybe there is something going on.

I'm often tired - but I have 3 young children to look after and generally otherwise feel well.

So - do you think these are just aches and pains of getting older (although I'm only 39..) Or should I make an appointment to see GP (I hate going to see GP - I always feel you should be seriously ill to see gp, rather than having vague symptoms).

I don't know very much about the condition except what I learnt years ago in college. I was debating on googling but I thought I'd do this first!!

I am 39y and have arthritis - not rhematoid, but psoriatic. Was diagnosed last year but had been having pain in my hands and arms for a year or two before that. I now have it in my neck and knee too. I eventually went because my left knee swelled up massively just before our holiday - and the referral was within days.

See your GP. They can arrange for xrays and investigations with rheumatology. Rhuematoid arthritis is diagnosed with a blood test but there are other forms that are not and are diagnosed based on reported symptoms. But if it is arthritis there are things you can do ad take to improve the pain - you don't have to live with it.

With arthritis the important thing to do is get a dx asap. The quicker you start taking the medication the quicker any potential damage can be stopped or slowed.

Thanks so much for replies. Ill go to gp's and let you know what he said.

Just to let you know that I kept putting off the appointment with the GP's but my other foot started to hurt and now my knees are too! I had some bloods done and although my rheum factor is neg, my ESR is elevated. I was given the results on the phone and was told that I needed to come in and chat to the GP's.

It's funny but I have had and still have a feeling its RA. I've now done some googling research and the symptoms do sound very much like mine.

What do you think will happen now? Will I get referred to someone or will the GPs just manage me? I think I only have it very mildly, its only morning time that I have any significant problems. I don't think I need meds - maybe just monitoring?

Thanks so much in advance for any answers!