Sudden onset rheumatoid arthritis

[LMW1990]

I've always had what I'd describe as achy joints. Especially my knees. I've had multiple X-ray and physio but nothing seems to completely rid me of it. It sometimes radiates to my hips and lower back. It's a dull sickening ache. Worse in damp or cold weather. It's been ongoing since I was 16.

On Thursday last week I woke with an extremely sore wrist. Painful to rotate externally. It's gradually got worse. The palm of my hand is now tender and the pain is radiating to my elbow. It's the same type of pain I get in my knee. No amount of use or disuse is making it better.

I'm a medical Secretary and I mentioned it to my consultant today. He's a spinal specialist. He examined my wrist and asked a few questions, one about my eyes being red. I do get red eyes but I've never thought anything of it. He immediately ordered me blood tests and I had then done this afternoon. He's querying rheumatoid arthritis. My maternal grandmother has suffered this since her 30s.

Does anyone have any experience of an onset of RA like this? I'm a bit worried

Hi i have something similar going on so will be interesting to see how this thread goes .
I also have history of achy joints- mainly knees and hip - have had cortisone injections previously in hip and had exact same pains in wrist you describe started around 2 weeks ago . Like a toothache in wrist was very painful and keeping me awake at night . A google search pointed towards carpel tunnel. I had phone consultation with doctor who sent me for bloods yesterday to look for inflammatory markers.
My brother has suffered from RA since late 30's and is currently on methotrexate my doctor Said can sometimes show up in families which I didn't realise as like you symptoms came on really suddenly have eased of a bit now .
How old are you out of interest I'm 46 in couple weeks I will update once get blood test results

I’m starting to think I may have RA, so I’ll be following with interest too.

Do you have any swelling at all? My feet and now knuckle are swollen, but it’s not the joints as such but more the surrounding areas of the joints that are swollen.

I’ve been suffering since March, can hardly walk for the first 2 hours of the day, Drs are treating me for damaged tendons in my feet due to living in stilettos for years, but now that my hands have joined the party, I’m quite concerned.

I’m 37 but feel 137.

The only way to find out is to have an appt with a rheumatologist and have tests.

Don't leave it. It's irreversible once the damage to your joints is done.

And it is hereditary so you need to find out what's going on.

I've got RA and was diagnosed at 31. It can come on quite quickly but you need a rheumatologist to diagnose. It can also go hand in hand with other autoimmune diseases.

@SassenachWitch that's how I feel except I'm 34 not 37. Very tough with a toddler too.

How do you get an appointment with a rheumatologist? I haven’t even managed to get a face to face with my GP.

I’ve had 2 phone consultations, she then referred me for X-ray and to podiatry, X-rays were clear (on feet and ankles) podiatry called me and said they can’t diagnose without seeing my feet and can’t see my feet as they’re not seeing patients until next year.

I’m living on paracetamol and ibuprofen, I limp until about 12pm, by then the painkillers have kicked in and I can lose the limp if I walk slowly, I can’t take stairs properly, I walk down them like a toddler, it’s just exhausting.

Sorry to derail @LMW1990 I hope you get some answers.

How do you get an appointment with a rheumatologist? I haven’t even managed to get a face to face with my GP.

You ask your GP for a referral based on your symptoms and family history. You don't need a face to face with GP to sort this.

X rays and podiatry will not show up RA.

Please push for this- I know someone diagnosed late in life after 10 years of being palmed off with other things and now she is in a VERY bad way.

If you can afford it, you can self refer to a consultant for an initial consultation and they can then transfer you to the NHS for tests etc.

@JinglingHellsBells beat me to it. Technically a rheumatology referral is meant to be quick, but not during COVID. UCH told me a new referral is at least three months at the moment.

I went privately and once I was diagnosed got my GP to refer me to the NHS.

Any recommendations for private? I’m in the Staffordshire area.

rheumatologists ( generally) are seeing all new patients face to face.

I'm in the same boat. Pains in knees and joints for years.
Put up with it as I am overweight and didn't want to go to the doctor but last week it became unbearable and was making me so miserable. The GP referred me for blood tests (which next appointment is end of a November) and X-rays.
Got a text today telling me to phone and book an X-ray ASAP. Phoned the number to be told no appointments available and to call next week in case any become available.

You can get Rheumatoid Arthritis at any age as it's a autoimmune condition and is not caused by 'ageing or wear and tear of the joints" like other forms of Arthritis.

I was diagnosed with JIA Juvenile Arthritis (Rheumatoid) when I was 2 years old so it's very possible. It's not the end of the world but knowing you have it and starting treatment is very important.

I’ve been suffering since March, can hardly walk for the first 2 hours of the day
Morning pain which improves as the day goes on is classic RA.
Do ask to be referred to a rheumatologist. It can be treated and the sooner the better.

It took me years to get diagnosed. Kept going to GP with painful hands but blood tests all came back negative for inflammatory markers and I was told it was osteoarthritis - nothing can be done. Eventually a blood test showed raised Rheumatoid Factor and I was referred to a rheumatologist, got diagnosed and treated. The damage to my fingers is not reversible though.

Rheumatologists are seeing new patients FTF in out area (though existing patients like me are telephone).

I was diagnosed with RA at 35, blood tests and X-rays confirmed it along with appointment with Rheumatologist.
Took about 3 months for treatment to start working, but 10 years down the line I am doing well.

Mine started almost overnight with hot swollen finger and toe joints. Hopefully you can get to see a dr face to face soon and get the ball rolling.

Sorry for the lack of response. I'm absolutely baffled by my symptoms.

Thursday night I went to bed in agony with my wrist and elbow. I woke up at around 2am with the same type of sickening dull pain in the back of my head and mid back. Miraculously the pain in my wrist had resolved completely like it never happened! The headache lasted pretty much all day Thursday. It was a thudding dull ache at the back of my head, radiating sporadically across my forehead. I felt sick and didn't eat.

Today, the headache is gone pretty much but I feel very tired and foggy minded. This evening my wrist and elbow have started to throb again so I'm having a nice bath to see if it helps.

My blood results were normal.

I've not a clue what's going on!

Hi @LMW1990, apologies, I know this is a very old thread but I came across it because I’ve been having symptoms which I think could either be Rheumatoid Arthritis or Psoriatic Arthritis and am searching for other people’s experiences of both.
Did you eventually get a diagnosis for your symptoms and if so how are you now?

@NoelFieldingsBlouse

Sorry to hear you've not been feeling well!

I've got had any diagnosis for this unfortunately. I have had other issues which which might be contributing.

@allstressedoutandnowheretogo

Thanks so much for your reply.

I’m sorry you haven’t yet got a definitive answer to your symptoms and also have other things going on to contend with.
It must be tough.

Let’s hope we can both get some sort of resolution to our issues soon. 🤞🏻