Diangosed with RA but not sure - Arthritis Message Board

ShannonH · 08-01-2006, 02:21 PM

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?

teachergirl64 · 08-01-2006, 09:01 PM

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.

creinha · 08-03-2006, 10:46 AM

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.

ShannonH · 08-04-2006, 09:12 AM

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

teachergirl64 · 08-05-2006, 12:50 AM

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.