Rheumatoid arthritis

[Owlettt]

Back in April I started getting swelling and stiffness (uncomfortable but not painful) in my fingers and my doctor suspected rheumatoid arthritis. Mostly due to CV-19 delays it's taken almost 10 months, three blood tests and an ultrasound on my hands to determine that I do have mild arthritis in my middle three fingers of both hands. All my blood tests have come back negative though and my GP has told me this means that it's arthritis rather than rheumatoid arthritis.

I'm awaiting an appointment with a rheumatologist when I'll be able to ask more questions, but I was wondering if it actually is likely to be seronegative RA? I can't really find much information on arthritis in the fingers which isn't RA.

Thank you

Hi @Owlettt

Can I ask how old you are? I don't have any answers for you, but I also have arthritis in my hands - top joints of fingers and base of thumb most noticeably. I'm 46 and it started a few years ago.

My hands feel stiff and swollen, with weakness and loss of dexterity, and are sometimes painful. The joints are knobbly, but not red and inflamed, which would more strongly indicate RA.

The tests I've had for RA have come back normal but I am undergoing tests for autoimmune conditions due to other symptoms.

If it's OA then I think it's a case of self management unfortunately - pain killers, rest, gentle exercise...

Hi @BlackInk thanks for replying. It does seem that it can be quite hard to get a diagnosis from what I've read online. I'm 36 but I'm now wondering about some other symptoms I've had for years before - which would make sense if it was rheumatoid arthritis. Desperately hoping it isn't that though.

Can I ask how your arthritis has progressed over the years? The thing I'm most worried about is the progression - particularly in my hands.

Look up psoriatic arthritis too, that frequently doesn't show in bloods and is missed by many GPS.

The top joint in my little finger on one hand was the first affected a few years ago, and since then it's been slow but steady with increasing generalised stiffness in my fingers, pain in other finger joints one by one. Certain things like grating cheese and carrying full mugs are getting difficult.

I'm being investigated for Lupus at the moment, but have a feeling it will be a dead end.

Feel about 100 years old :)

I'm so sorry to hear that and the frustration you must feel not knowing what the cause it and how to treat it. Hope you get some answers.

You too @Owlettt

This website was recommended to me by my rheumatologist:
www.versusarthritis.org

You can search and compare the different types of arthritis.

I have seronegative RA. Started as symmetrical swelling and pain in my fingers and hands, as well as generally achey and tired to the point I couldn't function. I'd have a read of the RA symptoms and if any apply- I hadn't connected the brain fog and the joint pain- I'd mention them to the rheumatologist.

Thanks everyone. I'll do a bit more reading.

Yes the other symptoms I mentioned are general aches and pains, and every now and again flu like symptoms which come on very randomly but never develop into an illness. I will mention all of this when I have my appointment because I've read about how important it is to start treatment with RA to prevent further damage.

My consultant rheumatologist told me that 40% rheumatoid arthritis cases are seronegative.

That includes me - had it since I was 33 - I'm 56 now. The progression has been very slow, but I am very happy to be on methotrexate - which definitely helps me enormously. It took 8 years to get a diagnosis as the majority of GPs think if you don't have rheumatoid factor, you don't have it - Wrong.

It started in my hands, and went on to knees particularly, but also shoulders/back/neck/jaw you name it.

38% of rheumatoid arthritis is sero-negative.

I think something like 80-90% of psoriatic arthritis is sero-neg.

GPs really should know this. At least you have a referral to a Rheumatologist. Diagnoses are difficult, yes, but there are treatments for inflammatory arthritis and autoimmune diseases in general that could be effective.

I am on Imraldi for example for psoriasis, and it also has halted progression of the psoriatic arthritis in my hands and feet - after three months I'm in a lot less pain.

Good luck

I xposted with you @leafygarden42

@BlackInk

The top joint in my little finger on one hand was the first affected a few years ago, and since then it's been slow but steady with increasing generalised stiffness in my fingers, pain in other finger joints one by one. Certain things like grating cheese and carrying full mugs are getting difficult.

I'm being investigated for Lupus at the moment, but have a feeling it will be a dead end.

Feel about 100 years old :)

The top joints of fingers are typical of attack from PsA, RA tends not to attack those joints.

I am in a very similar position to you. I have had blood tests. The RA indicators came back low but another inflammatory marker came back high so gp has questioned another type of inflammatory arthritis. She has referred me to a rheumatologist so just waiting for an appointment to come through for that
I am 50 and have a lot of pain in both hands, both knees and both shoulders. I feel like a 90 year old most days

I'm 34 and feel 90, and I have a three year old. It's a tough disease but the right treatment makes a huge difference.

I was lucky that I could afford to go private, and my Mum has seronegative RA so I feel I was taken more seriously. I saw my Mum's rheumatologist.

Thanks everyone - I've read very similar things online, so I was surprised that the GP didn't know this. Very grateful to have a referral to a rheumatologist though.

I haven't actually had pain in my fingers - they've just been swollen and uncomfortable. The swelling also completely disappeared over the summer - just re-emerged with the colder, damper weather in the autumn. I also have Raynaud's disease and really struggle generally to feel warm so wonder if the two are linked.

Owlettt I have just read this thread and am wondering how you are getting on. I've also had finger joint discomfort after having my baby and terrified of an RA diagnosis. Have you seen a rheumatologist yet?

Hi Iona3419, just read your post from July and was wondering if you still have finger joint discomfort. I develped joint pain/stiffness in my hands about a month after having my baby (born in feb). Saw a rhematologist today and she thinks it's reactive arthritis and not RA since my blood test came back neg for RA factors, however, could be seronegative RA. Got a steroid shot to manage the pain for now and hopefully my symptoms will disappear over the coming months.

I have seronegative arthritis. It takes longer to diagnose because some of the inflammatory markers can be lower/absent and also missing a positive ANA. They usually try and rule out other things like reactive arthritis but a lot of the diagnosis will go on your symptoms so keep a record of them and whether they fluctuate or not.

Hi, my blood test results came back negative for rheumatoid arthritis. I haven't had any more finger stiffness since then but I've been told to keep an eye on it and if I get a reoccurrence that I'm worried about then I'll get a referral to a rheumatologist. The doctor couldn't really explain it and just said it might be one of those weird post pregnancy things. He had treated a lady before who developed arthritis after having a baby but it went away randomly. Hope your joint pain goes away soon. My baby was born in Feb too. X

Salaman - thanks for your message. How long did it take you to get diagnosed? Did your symptoms start after pregnancy? X

lona3419 - thanks for your response. Congrats on your baby. So happy to hear that your joint pain went away! Hope it stays that way x

LostGirl, They didn't start after pregnancy but that can happen. I waited about 9 months before they decided what sort of arthritis I had but was put on treatment immediately.