OK, I am not a doctor by no means but I went to see a rheumatologist today and I have some doubts about his diagnosis. He said that I had "early" RA and gave me Plaquenil and Naprosyn. He did x-rays of my feet and took blood for tests. My symptoms are this:

1) extreme stiffness/pain in the mornings getting better as the day goes on but never completely gone
2) migrating pain (elbow to knee to shoulder to wrist, etc.)
3) extreme pain in the balls of my feet, can hardly walk especially in the mornings
4) fatigue and just not feeling well (maybe because I can't sleep due to stiffness?).

I have very little tenderness in the joints and no swelling and he did say "Right now, there's just not very much to see."

Does this sound like RA?

Another concern is taking unnecessary medication. I'd like to get some results back from labwork before I start taking medication.

Does anyone have any advice?

I'm not a doctor, either but I think you are wise to wait for the bloodwork to come back, although positive bloodwork isn't a requirement. (I am seronegative.) The criteria for RA are:

Requires 4 out of the 7 criteria for diagnosis.

1.MORNING STIFFNESS greater than 1 HOUR
2. SOFT TISSUE SWELLING IN A HAND JOINT
3. SOFT TISSUE SWELLING in 3 out of 14 joint GROUPS - PIP'S, MCP'S, WRISTS, ELBOWS, KNEES, ANKLES, MTP's
4. SYMMETRICAL SWELLING IN ONE JOINT AREA
5. RHEUMATOID NODULE
6. RHEUMATOID FACTOR
7. RADIOGRAPHIC CHANGES IN THE WRIST OR HANDS. (POROSIS / EROSION)


Naproxyn is an anti-inflammatory and will help with the pain and stiffness. Just dont' take it on an empty stomach. The Plaquenil is one of the mildest DMARDs. If you decide to go ahead and take it, be sure to go see your opthamologist first for a baseline visual field test. You'll need one every 6 months because Plaquenil can affect your eyes.

If you aren't sure about the diagnosis, you can always get a second opinion. Be sure to get copies of your labs to keep in your own files and to be able to share with any other doctors you might see.

In August 2004 my rheumatologist told me he thought I had RA and that I presented "atypically". I'm like you. I have migratory pain without swelling. It used to only stay in one joint for a couple of days before moving on to another. Recently, I had a flare that lasted over a month in one shoulder. I thought it would never go away.

He also started me on Plaquenil and an anti-inflammatory called Relafen before my test results came back. He already knew I had a high positive RF and ESR. My GP had already ran those. I also had various abnormal results from the tests my rheumatologist ordered (Anti-CCP, CRP, ANA, C3).

I found a web site the other day about Palindromic Rheumatism. The migratory symptoms sound so similar. I'm going to ask my rheumatologist about it when I see him in September.

Thanks for the responses!

creinha, we have very similar symptoms! The pain in a joint for a couple days then moving to another joint is exactly what happens to me.

My family doctor also ordered labwork when I went to see him with my pain. He wanted to rule out lupus, ms, rheumatoid arthritis (!) and I was told that my results were "normal." So he told me I had osteoarthritis and to live with it. I called a friend who is a PA with my rheumatologist and asked him for advice. He said, "You need to come see us" and he got me in the next week (I was so thankful because they have a very long waiting list). I was kinda of concerned when my rheumatologist did labwork again and then prescribed medication without knowing any results. I am thankful for the Naprosyn because that has worked wonders but the Plaquenil concerns me because of the possibility for eye problems. I have a phobia about something happening to my eyes. They told me that they will set up an eye appointment at my next rheumatologist appointment in September.

I have also seen the palindromic arthritis on the internet and it does sound like me! I am going to mention it also to my rheumatologist. I did read where palindromic usually turns in to rheumatoid.

Shannon

If you do decide to go the plaquenil route be sure to keep your eye appointments. I don't know of many people who actually have eye trouble because of it, but you don't want to take a chance.

You will also want to keep some peppermint tea on hand to sip thoughout the day as your system adjusts to it. I felt like I was having morning sickness again until I got used to it.

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Thank you

Shannon,

Have you gotten your test results back yet?

Not yet but he did say it would be over a week because one of them had to go to an outside lab. Yesterday was a week so I am looking to hear something soon! Thanks for checking!

Shannon,

Have you gotten your test results back yet?

I got a letter from my doctor today that listed the following:

Blood counts
kidney function
Liver function
Thyroid
Rheumatoid factor
Glucose
Potassium
ANA
CCP
Sedimentation rate/CRP

All were NORMAL.

I guess I'll go to my appointment in September and ask him about all this. The Naprosyn is working OK for pain. I'm still feeling some pain and still stiff but it is somewhat better.

I am so sorry you are feeling so bad. One bit of advise: Make Sure You Get Tested For Hepatitis C. A high R-factor could mean something else.
The best of luck to you.
Gosgirl

Shannon,

I think Lyme disease can also cause the same symptoms as RA. There's a blood test for that as well.

Have you had your next appointment with your RD yet?

Cheri.

My pain is gone for right now! I have had some problems with ear infections and fluid on my ear so my ENT gave me a steriod to take for that which caused me to feel GOOD! Of course, it probably won't last long but hey I'll take it for a little while!!!!! I went for my check up with my Rhuematologist and he just checked my joints and said come back in three months. I told him I felt good but it was because of the steroid. I don't think the plaquenil is working yet but it's only been about six weeks.

Emotionally, I have been somewhat down in the dumps because I am only 36 years old. In the past six months I have fallen apart after being healthy all my life. I have about 5 prescriptions that I take every day! I try not to complain too much because it could be worse.

My pain is gone for right now! I have had some problems with ear infections and fluid on my ear so my ENT gave me a steriod to take for that which caused me to feel GOOD! Of course, it probably won't last long but hey I'll take it for a little while!!!!! I went for my check up with my Rhuematologist and he just checked my joints and said come back in three months. I told him I felt good but it was because of the steroid. I don't think the plaquenil is working yet but it's only been about six weeks.

Emotionally, I have been somewhat down in the dumps because I am only 36 years old. In the past six months I have fallen apart after being healthy all my life. I have about 5 prescriptions that I take every day! I try not to complain too much because it could be worse.

Just wanted to say :wave: I am in the same boat as you I can only wish that i was 36 My problems started when i was 21 and i'm 27 now. And i have 12+meds but i only am taking 3-the one's i have to. To help me through this i try to think about how lucky i was, I lived a good life, and enjoyed all of it, I thank god that i got to be a kid and have the best times in my teenage years, And when i pass away i already know that i was lucky to have 20 great years. Alot of people have it worse, childeren are born with artritis, It's so sad. I'm not trying to tell you how to feel but to try to look on the bright side of things when you get down. Good luck to you!!!

Shannon,

I'm shocked your RD didn't say anything about the steroids. If your joints were feeling better after your ENT gave you steroids, I would think your joint problem is indeed inflammatory in nature. I could be wrong, but it sounds logical to me.

I talked with a girl on another web site that said she had migratory joint pain without swelling and all her test results were negative. Her husband was stationed overseas and the base doctor kept telling her that it was all in her head - that she missed being home. When she got back to the states, her new RD ran a bone scan and found erosions. I'm not telling you that story to scare you. Just to let you know that the tests may not always be conclusive so you should continue to let your RD know you aren't feeling well.

I found it to be very helpful when talking with my RD to tell him exactly what I couldn't do when in pain. (example: "Doc, I can't dress myself.")

I hope you get to feeling better soon.