What can you tell me about arthritis?

[skygazer]

I know I have arthritis but I'm starting to wonder if I might have RA. I've never talked to a doctor about my aches and pains but over the past couple of years, they've gotten so much worse. It used to be I had occasional bouts of pain in my shoulders and my hands and wrists, particularly when it was overcast and getting ready to rain.

Now, there are times when I lie flat on my back in bed and I can feel every spot in my body where 2 bones come together. It's deep, throbbing and painful and I'm afraid to move. Even a deep breath hurts. It hurts in practically every joint - neck, shoulders, wrists, hands, lower back, knees and feet. Even my damn feet.

Some days are okay and I'm only real achy when I sit at the computer for long periods of time. Other days, it's all I can do to get out of bed.

I know I have to talk to a doctor about all this but I'm just wondering what other people experience. I am NOT asking for medical advice.

[mopinko]

1. what are you waiting for? chronic pain

is a horrible burden to bear. why are you waiting?
ra dx is a simple blood test. there are lots of meds out there. the longer you wait, the more damage is done to those joints.
and if it is not ra, you can get relief from that, too.
nobody should suffer chronic pain without a fight!

[Warpy]

2. Get your tail in there and have a rheumatoid panel drawn

Yes, it's a blood test. They'll also check for some of its ugly cousins like SS and SLE. No, you don't want to know unless they come up positive.

You might also see if you're running a low grade fever, as that can be part of the picture with true RA. Check your temp between 5PM and 8PM, which is when it's likeliest to be elevated. Your doc will want to know if it is.

The good news is that RA can be controlled if you do have it.

[hyphenate]

3. There are many different conditions

than just RA to consider: lupus, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome (aka CFIDS), Psoriatic Arthritis, Polymyalgia Rheumatica--I suggest you visit www.webmd.com, one of the best websites for health information, and check out your synptoms.

Another thing is, it could just be osteoarthritis exacerbated, which is always a possibility as well--I don't know how old (or young) you are, but some conditions are far more prevalent in those over 40, and others younger.

If you've had symptoms for a lengthy time, chances are greater for some of these illnesses than others.

For myself, I've had arthritis for most of my life, some of it weight related, but put fibro on top of that, and there have been days, sometimes weeks when I feel like it's a neverending case of the flu.

I would suggest you ask your doctor for an appointment with a rheumatologist who can discuss your symptoms and look for signs of what might be the problem.