Q: I have severe fatigue even on sleeping med. I have warmth in my ankles, knees, elbows, shoulders, and wrists. Hands very stiff. xray-negative have a nodule on my finger.
Hello, LMDONN,
I'm sorry you are so misreable right now. I am not a doctor, but it does sound as though you may very well have RA. The rheumatologist will make a diagnosis based on your medical history, current symptoms and bloodwork. It may take a week or two to get all of your tests results back. Xrays don't show the characteristic RA erosions until later in the disease process. MRI's are much more sensitive and show erosions much sooner than xrays. The good news is that there are many treatments available now that were just not in use a decade ago. I know you must be scared and in a lot of pain. The fatigue is really the pits. Please let us know what your doctor says about your diagnosis. If you do have RA, there are 5 Things to do for the Newly Diagnosed This is a very supportive community. Please come here and ask questions or share your experience anytime you wish. Blessings, V
Hi there I wouod recommend that you get another opinion from a different rheumy.
Most good rheumies don''t diagnose primarily by lab work but by symptoms. They treat the patient not the test result.
I am in a similar position with bloodwork as you but diagnosed with SEVERE rheumatoid, as well as fibro and osteo
I am about to be trialled on a biologic which is only used for sever rheumatoid. Persist, be proactive you know your own body the best.
Trust you find help soon
Hello - it's very possible for xrays to be negative in the early stages of RA. If you are very tired, even after you sleep, then it might be that the stiff muscles are draining your energy and not allowing you to sleep or get real rest.
Two meds that sometimes help are low doses of Elavil (amitriptyline) or Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine). I was first given amitriptyline (10 mg, though some people take more) when my doctor first thought I had fibromyalgiag. I slept better but didn't FEEL any better. Then I added (with his permission), Guaifenesin which helps some people with fibro, and my energy returned rapidly. I still take it, even though I have RA mostly, instead of fibro. It's related to an old-time remedy for "rheumatism" and it really helped me.
I have a lot of problems with muscle spasms from time to time and now instead of the amitriptyline, I take a related one, cyclobenzaprine (started at 10 mg, now 5 mg is enough), and it guarantees me good sleep and more relaxed muscles. It's not expensive either (neithe of them are). You could talk with your doctor about it.
The regular sleep meds may not do as much if the muscle tension is the problem, because they don't get you into "Stage 4" sleep where your muscles really get a chance to relax and recover.
I wish you well!
I am wondering about side effects of Methotrexate. I just started it. Take 6 pills on Wednesdays. I woke up this past Wednesday having to really go to the bathroom. I had drank a lot of water with it, as suggested so it doesn't sit in the kidneys. I didn't wake up for 4 hours so it sat in my bladder. After I released it, I got spasms in my bladder and lower abdominal pain. Did anyone else have this issue? Thanks
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Hi guys, thanks for the information. Doctor finally called back. CCP is Negative, xray of right hand is negative, SED rate is elevated (he said probably a false positive), and RF is elevated (he said probably a false positive). He said because the ccp is very sensitive and it is negative, I don't have RA. He told me to make another appt to come and see him so he can prove to me by showing me the labs that I don't have it. The fatigue, the hand stiffness, the hot joints are worse. I guess he is not going to find out what is going on. I don't want to have RA but it fits all of my symptoms. Something is wrong with me. It is frustrating.