Q: I cannot get in to see the doctor about my symptoms until Oct. 26, and wanted to get your opinion on whether it sounded like it could possibly be RA.
it does sound awfully familiar, but RA is not only option. Some of your symptoms, including feeling heavy do sound like RA - the best way I've found to describe RA... Well, there are two. One is that you feel soggy and the other is that RA pain feels sort of like being inside a dirty grey cotton bowl filled with tall glass splinters. however, it's possible that other people would compare it to something else.
We have a number of posts that may be helpful to you, both in terms of getting more information about the disease, but also in preparing for going to see a rheumatologist. Check out our section on the basis of RA for more information, my posts on preparing for your first appointment, what to look for in a good rheumatologist and how to be a good self advocate. Also, check out our post on blood tests - when you get yourLab results, if they test negative for RA, it doesn't necessarily mean that what you have is not RA. Approximately 20% of people living with RA are seronegative, i.e., RA doesn't show up in their bloodwork.
please keep us posted on your progress?
Zellier, Your pain sounds awful famialiar to me. I use to get the fleshy bumps mainly behind my knees my doctor refered to them as Bakers cyst. You can look them up online. As you read about them it may help you out more. RA mimcs so many dieases that it is difficult to say until you have your testing done. Good luck to you at your appt. And I hope you feel better very soon. Becky
There are so many disorders and diseases out there that all have combined joint pain, swellin, stiffness what have you. Only some blood tests and your doc can diagnose the exact issue. Do a search for the criteria of RA in the American College of Rheumatology's website to see if you meet at least 4 or the criteria.
The way you describe your issue sounds like a doctor will first rule out carpal tunnel syndrome or and an entraped Ulna Nerve (ur funny bone). Also the bump you describe may also be inflammation as opposed to an RA nodule.
October 26th will be here sooner than you think. Good luck in finding the proper diagnoses. Hopefully it is something simpler than RA.
Keep us informed.
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