Arthritis-osteo or rheumatoid?

[IratusBug]

Anyone got any knowledge on arthritis? I am 48 and seemingly getting riddled with, is that normal for osteoarthritis in someone of my age? How do you know which it is and would you go Dr about it? I have it in right hand confirmed, left hand finger has nodule on it and have pain in left knee and right foot, big toe joint

I have quite complicated history, i have fibromyalgia, extreme fatigue, neuro symptoms, hot sweats and hairloss for 9 years. I had an operation on my right hand last year and everything has all flared up from there, stiffness, pain, swelling. I cant take ibuprofen so just have paracetamol in a morning.

I am thinking i might see if dr can recommond other pain relief if this is ongoing. I just feel down about it with my age, i expected this to be affecting someone a lot older really struggling with my hand, i cannot drive, hold a pen or knife properly

Anyone got any experience?

I've got it in my knees and right hand. I'm 46, got it for my 40th birthday.

I take cocodomol at night as I can manage the pain during the day as long as everything keeps moving but at night the pain wakes me up.

The doc has offered me steroid jabs but I don't think I'm quite at that level of pain yet.

It could be loads of things. GP is the obvious person to help you with this.

Thanks both, yes, I really should go GP. Oh the joys of getting older!

If it’s not symmetrical then it could be osteo. Some women with little vitamin D / calcium in their diets, who have inflammatory bowel diseases, or who aren’t white can get it at young ages. But you need it confirmed by a proper GP.

I was diagnosed with arthritis 10 years ago and have been in constant pain, then a few months ago I was diagnosed with a different joint pain as no further deterioration had occurred so my hip age and real age now match. However the joint pain was extremely bad and is only slowly getting better. I also can't take NSAIDs as my liver hates them . I am currently on zapain and amitriptyline ,the latter is well worth the dry mouth.

If it is arthritis you need a proper pain management plan

Its most likely OA.

RA is usually diagnosed much younger and symptoms include hot, swollen joints. RA is an auto-immune disease. Also RA patients tend to go into remission (a period of time where symptoms disappear), but flair ups can be triggered from stress or immune issues like when you get flu.

Nodules indicate bony growth or calcification which are related to OA. Previous trauma to a joint can also cause OA much later in life.

Hope this helps

Can occur at menopause