Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

Hi. I'll apologize first as this may be long. My doctor thinks I may have RA (or something autoimmune) and after reading what I've found on the Internet, it doesn't really sound like it to me, but I only know what I've read. I'm looking for any advice or insight.

I was healthy. Then just after Christmas I started getting "sick". Major body aches, fevers, waking up at night drenched in sweat. I went to the dr who gave me antibiotics. Then, both of my toes started going numb. Dr. gave me a different antibiotic when I was done with the first one. Numbess spread through my feet and then numbness, stiffness, and tingling started in my hands. The pressure in my feet would get so bad when I put them up, or sat down for awhile that it would wake me up at night and I'd have to get up and try to walk around a lot to relieve the pressure. I was so tired that I'd come home from work and just crash. I have an office job so it's not like I was doing anything really physical to make me that exhausted. Then, my face started twitching. I was also given a tetanus shot in early January in my upper arm. This seems to have set off major joint pain. It's 3 months later and I still can't turn the steering wheel of my car or open a door with that arm.

I went back to the doctor who now decided to run all kinds of tests. They showed no infection, sed rate was 60, and positive rheumatoid factor. He sent me for a CT scan because of the twitching in my face which came back fine for the most part.

The doctor thinks I have RA and referred me to Rheumatology, but it took forever to get in and my appt is finally coming up.

The fevers subsided. And so has the twitching. I still have a lot of numbness and stiffness in my hands and feet. I've read that RA is extremely painful. I don't have pain in my hands and feet per se. When the pressure gets really bad they hurt, but it's more annoying than anything else, and it does slow me down because it takes me awhile to get moving in the morning and I can't do a lot of walking around. I'm still tired all the time. My shoulder does hurt though quite a bit when I lift my arm or do anything that requires any pulling or pushing (lifting milk out of the fridge, or opening a door for example).

The rheumatologist sent me this long questionaire to fill out and take in with me. Not much of it seems to apply to my symptoms (everything seems related to extreme pain and not being able to take care of yourself) and I feel kind of stupid walking in and saying my hands and feet have been numb, stiff, and feel like a lot of pressure is in them for the last 3 months. I don't have joint pain except in my shoulder.

I have no idea what the onset is like, but this hit me out of the blue. Can anyone clue me in as to if this sounds like the onset of RA?

Welcome dear. Something is going on. Please do not feel stupid going to the rheumy. He is a specialist in autoimmune disease and will most likely be the one to figure this out. Mine hit hard and fast in the hands. But all are different. I tested positive, twice, for Lupus, negative for RA. Yet, I have a RA dx. Why? Because of other tests and clinical presentation. So it is extremely important to get to the rheumy. Please let us know how it goes. Ask or share anything. I wish you good days. Hugs

Hi, welcome! it doesn't seem like a "typical" RA onset, but then again RA is so different for everyone that "typical" rarely applies. There are over 100 types of arthritis and even more types of autoimmune illnesses, so it is, as Bits say, very important to go to Rheumy. He/she will begin the process of diagnose, which many times is like putting a puzzle together. Then you will treat whatever is going on. It is very good you are on your way to answers. Please tell us how it goes.

Hi Tracy, welcome to the group. The two previous ladies really presented valid points, so there isnt much for me to add. Like Cata said, there are SO many types of autoimmune disorders that it's mind boggling. Until you have one, I dont think you even realize what an AI disorder is! Its just not your common discussion. Your rheumatologist will do your clinical evaluation, perhaps some more tests, or referrals to other types of specialists, and then come up with a diagnosis. Five years ago I had the symptoms of RA but was diagnosed with parvovirus ( 5th disease like kids get), and blood work came up RA negative. I suffered all those years, until I spun into an even more horrendous flare over the summer and finally got in to see a rheumy in October. You just never know why the body responds the way it does, so it will take some investigative work on the part of your doctor to uncover what's wrong with you. Have confidence that he or she will though. Come to us any time with comments, concerns, questions, or complaints. Like I always say, this is a "come as you are" party karen

Tracy, I hope you've found some answers or relief from your pain since your last post.