Rheumatoid arthritis?

[HereInMyHead]

Hello everyone.
For the past few weeks I have been suffering with severley painful swollen ankles (to the point where I could hardly walk). Went to see GP and have been for blood tests as she suspects I have RA. I am terrified! Need to call on Monday for results and expecting to be called in to see the docs. Anybody got any advice, words of encouragement, virtual hugs? I am feeling really sore today and terrified! Thanks.

Hi, we can panic together if it helps!

I am having blood tests tomorrow and had xrays done on Friday afternoon (results not known yet)

I have developed arthritis in both my hands, knees and right big toe joint. I also have night sweats and hair loss and fatigue (I do have fibro)

GP thinks it is just osteoarthritis but I am having tests to rule out RA. I am only 48, thought I was too young for all this old age nonsense yet!

I know its easier said than done but I am just trying not to think about it, although my swollen, very painful right thumb keeps reminding me.

Hope you get some answers soon.

banana strings hello - I didn't know that sweating was par for the course with ra.. Have been rough for well over a year and was tested for sjogrens. Test back negative {thank heaven} but have to start again with tests. Hope you both feel better soon.

Thanks Percheron, I didnt think about the sweating in relation to RA. I did see the GP about the night sweats at the end of last year, I had some routine bloods and they were "fine" I was told when I rang up, so I forgot all about it, but I am still having the sweats. Although it is hard to tell in this weather!

I have been having night sweats for years! ☹️ Didn't know it was a symptom of RA. Makes a lot of sense. I am only 45 Banana Strings ☹️

Here for hand holding too, painful finger joints and have been referred for bloods too which I've got on Wed
I'm 31! I'm hoping it's more a repetitive injury but they are very tender to touch. Night sweats I have too, any other random bits you have that are links to it??

Hi @here
I'm going to share my story. I hope it helps in some way.
I started having sore joints when I was about 28. Although I had the symptoms, my blood test were weird and not a complete proof of RA. This gave me hope (denial more like) and I refused RA medication (methotrexate). I was managing on very strong painkillers for a couple of years while my consultant tried to convince me to take methotrexate.
After the a couple of years the pain went (hurrah I though!) and I got married and had DC. After DC2 was born the pain returned with a vengeance. I was devastated and could no longer ignore the pain. So I started sulfasalazine - it did nothing at all. Then low dosage methotrexate and then I kept upping the dosage. It still didn't make much of a difference.
Then, 2 years ago I was called by the hospital and they offered me a place on a trial for a new biosimilar drug (similar to Enbrel). I was hesitant but thought it was worth a try. The change in my pain was immediate, after only 2 months on the new drug I felt like a new person. After the trial had finished the hospital managed to get funding for me for this drug (Benepali) and I've been on it for a year. I'm pain free and I've dropped methotrexate as well. I know I'm very lucky to have got the funding (these drugs are very expensive - £500 per weekly injection!). These new biological drugs are a completely different breed to the old fashioned (but cheap!) methotrexate etc.
My consultant thinks that we could try reducing Benepali because I'm doing so well which is great.
The only thing is that I have some permanent damage in my wrists (from when it was very bad) and it will never get better. But that's life.
Good luck with your tests!

Oh my, what an essay
I also wanted to say, for the RA journey has been very lonely. This was mainly because of my denial and not wanting to talk about it with anybody. My DH knows most (but not all) of what I've been through. My best friend has no idea and my DM and DSis know the bare minimum (ie, I have RA, no big deal, I'm on meds and it's under control)

Feel free to ask me if you have any questions.

So, I have been called in to see the doc tomorrow morning re test results. Argh! ☹️☹️☹️

I've had RA for 10 years.

A specialist asked me to go dairy free as dairy was inflammatory.

I thought that was a mad idea but did for a year.

Repeated tests came back negative!

I've gone back to dairy I'm an idiot but I love cheese and symptoms are back.

Back off again.

Maybe it's just me or a coincidence but perhaps worth trying.

I am looking into an anti inflammatory diet which would include cutting out dairy, gluten and sugar. Have been vegan in the past so cutting out dairy wouldn't be too hard. What had your experience been stay at home? Have you been able to work for example?

I also have cfs, the RA was diagnosed as part of the investigation for that so haven't worked full time for 20 years.

It's hard to know what is more of a problem.

Now my daughter is at uni I have more time and do various things on a self employed basis, I think I work quite hard and am very busy we Farm, just opened a holiday cottage and I dog walk. I also care for a neighbour.

I'm lucky really as I can juggle depending on how well I feel. Super busy tomorrow morning and friends for dinner so will sleep in the afternoon for example.

Just had an exhausting four days away up till 2am and felt dreadful when I got back so had a couple of days in bed.

I couldn't possibly manage a 9-5 job on someone else's terms.

The diet was no dairy, processed, gluten sugar or any carbs over 5% / 100g.

It was tough.