Does this sound like osteoarthritis or RA?

janet23 · 04-04-2005, 03:12 PM

Several years ago I was told I had Reactive arthritis, but for the past month I've had severe pain that does not feel or act like what I experienced with reactive. This pain comes from my wrists (both hands), but I don't think it's carpal tunnel. It seems to radiate throughout my hands and is so painful that it often wakes me up during the night. The mornings are bad and then it becomes tolerable throughout the day. Holding a phone is almost unbearable or holding anything in a grasp. I have no strength in my hands at all. Brushing my teeth and hair can be excruciating in the mornings. I had been taking Mobic but got no relief for this. The joints in my fingers are somewhat inflamed, but I see no redness/swelling in my wrists. My appt. with my rheumatologist isn't for a couple of weeks, but I don't know if I can wait that long. He's done blood tests before for RA, but they're always negative. Can anyone tell me if this pain in my wrists/hands sounds like osteoarthritis, RA, something else?

creinha · 04-04-2005, 05:44 PM

Janet23,

I have RA. I have pain in both my wrists and most of my knuckles. I have little or no swelling. Sometimes the pain is in the palm of the hands. You are right - forget trying to grip anything. It's much too painful. I also occasionally have migratory pain. I did have positive blood tests (RF, Anti-CCP, Sed Rate, CRP), although I understand that some people are termed seronegative. So, you don't have to have positive lab tests to be diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

If the pain is in the palm of your hand, I would lean more toward RA than OA. Also, mentioning that you felt worse in the morning is another indication of RA.

Best of luck.

cardinal · 04-04-2005, 07:08 PM

Wow, I was just going to post something similar. I have OA, and have cervical fusion that failed. Lately, my arthritis has gotten real bad. I have it in my hands, feet, ankles, knees an elbows. Mornings are terrible, I wake in the night with my arm/elbow so painful. I just went again to my PM today and having BP issues, from pain I think, but 160/110. I also had a high ANA test yrs ago and now wondering if it may have bee lupus? but ana can also be related RA? I am going to make an appt with a Rheumi tomorrow. I am taking hydro's and xanax as needed but Aleve seems to help some.

janet23 · 04-04-2005, 11:20 PM

Thanks for your input. I don't know if you are male or female or your ages, but if you are female, I have another question: do hormones affect your joint pain? I am 49, had a partial hysterectomy 7 years ago, and have been trying various degrees of HRT on for size after getting off Premarin, which I had taken since my surgery. I've read about joint pain and hormone imbalance, but I'm not sure if that's what this is. If I don't see improvement in the next day or 2, I'm probably going to call my dr. and see if he can work me in earlier than my appt. date. Thanks!

teachergirl64 · 04-05-2005, 12:23 AM

I have seronegative RA. The only test that came back definitely abnormal was my CRP. The rest of it was pretty unimpressive. I have 5 of the 7 criteria for RA, hence the diagnosis despite no postive blood work. I started Remicade a few weeks ago and my joint pain is not longer bad at all. Before Remicade, I couldn't make a fist and had trouble gripping/grasping. Do see if your rheumy can get you in faster.