Diagnosing arthritis??? - Arthritis Message Board

Theresa341 · 08-06-2005, 04:20 AM

A little history.....I am 30 years old and have had minor aches and pains throughout my body for as long as I can remember!! Recently, I went to the doctors because of severe pain in my wrist- turns out it is hairline fracture. However, when I was there, they did xrays on my hand. My doctor called me a few days later and said they want me to see a rheumotologist because my xrays showed probably bone erosion in the tips of all my fingers which he said is the beginning of arthritis. Is this true? Does this mean I have arthritis in my fingers or all throughout my body? I have never had pain in my fingers, but stiffness throughout my body for years!! What will a rheumatologist do to either confirm or deny this? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

Jovach51 · 08-06-2005, 01:00 PM

The rheumatologist will probably run routine tests, such as blood to rule out RA, urine. He/she will check your joints for inflammation, pain on touch etc. and maybe more xrays.

I have arthritis in my spine, knees and hands. I take mobic 7.5-15mg a day depending on the pain level.

Just be frank about your pain and have questions ready to ask the doctor. Insist that you need something for pain.

Take care.

MCTD · 08-08-2005, 12:43 PM

Oh yeah, there are ways to diagnose RA and there are ways to confuse you more than ever. I am 41 and have been going through this forever, or at least about 10 years. My bones fracture like that too and I have been tested for RA, my rheumatoid factor is positive, I have a positive ANA, I have very low CRP levels, and elevated sed rate, those should just be some of your tests, and they will poke and prod and squeeze the joints. But I would also ask about bone density, if you are having fractures, which is how they found my bone problems, ask for bone scan, not bone density scan, but bone scan, it will show areas in the bones that are weak or stress fractures, it can be an indication of osteoporosis, yes, I was very young and have it very very bad. I have broken several bones simply by lifting groceries or christmas shopping, I most recently broke my neck simply by turning my head. I ended up with fused C3-C7 in my neck, doc went in and it was a mess, my bones are in horrible shape, soft, breakable, I take fossamax weekly and calcium supplements, but I am not very good at the calcium like I should be. They can also run blood work on your vitamin levels. Just some thoughts to help you with doc visits. Your age has nothing to do with it, I started having problems when I was young 30's. But if you can catch some of it earlier, maybe you can help the bone thing. Do you carry a lot of heavy things at work or something to cause the wrist fracture?? Maybe they could also give you joint supports on the ones you use most. I have them for just about everything and use them as joints "flare up" on me. Hope your doc appt goes well.