Newbie here and can you advise please?

autumnlady

Hello

this is my first posting and I am wondering if anyone else has experienced the same as me.

Been feeling 'off' for weeks, started getting pain in hips and wrists, fingers are deformed and stiff and now nodules are appearing on them, shape of big toes are changing, dry gritty eyes and just general all over tiredness.,

Went to see GP who did a number of blood tests.

Last night he phoned me after surgery to tell me the blood results were back and that I had a raised Rheumatoid Factor BUT he doesnt think its RA and please can he see me in his surgery on Thursday.

If this isnt Ra what else could it be? Has anyone else had this happen to them?

Many thanks

skezier

Hi and welcome to the site. It is a very good one.

I'm not too sure what that means but I expect someone who has a better idea will be along soon. I think regardless of anything when you see the gp on thursday you should ask to be sent to see a Rheumatologist as they are far better and more clued up than gp's. Take care and good luck , Cris

suzster

autumnlady wrote:

Hello

this is my first posting and I am wondering if anyone else has experienced the same as me.

Been feeling 'off' for weeks, started getting pain in hips and wrists, fingers are deformed and stiff and now nodules are appearing on them, shape of big toes are changing, dry gritty eyes and just general all over tiredness.,

hi, i'm not sure i can help much but the symptoms you are describing are very much like mine were before my RA was diagnosed, i still get gritty feeling eyes and i have found that a good pair of sunglasses have helped lots, i seem to have become very sensitive to the sun all of a sudden!

hopefully seeing your gp will help but i to think a rheymatologist appointment is needed.
meanwhile this is a very supportive and helpful site so i'm sure someone can help you more, oh and welcome by the way!! sorry should of said that at the start!
sue

jaspercat

Hi, I think that you need to insist on seeing a Rheumatologist, as they will be able to help properly, you may need medication ans the sooner you start the better, trouble is that gp's are reluctant to refer people but you will have to insist, it is your right love Jaspercatxx

frogmorton

Hi Autumnlady
Welcome form me!
I'm with the otheres I reckon you should see a rheumy. You could always put it to your GP when you go to see him/her.
Take someone with you too if you can - it always helps. a) so you ask what you want to ask b0 so you remeber what was said and c) so they can speak for you if needed (if you get upset).
Good luck
Toni x

yesmeducky

Hello Autumnlady,
I just wanted to welcome you and wish you a successful GP appointment. I haven't had the same experience as you so can't help really but i can't imagine that the doctor won't refer you to a rheumatologist when your fingers are showing deformities. Good luck and hope things improve soon. Let us know how you get on at the doctors.

Take care,
Heidi

rella1965

Hello Autumnlady

I am also a newbie here, and went to my GP last September with similar pains etc. Waited for months for a rheumy appointment (was very excited hoping that I would be diagnosed and have some treatment at last), his manner was awful and he hardly said anything to me, however the tests showed somthing else wrong with me and referred me to an endocrinologist,

Eventually go to see endo after waiting several months, she was great and was convinced I also had RA.

Managed to get a second opinion with another rheumy at another hospital after waiting some more months, and now because I am no longer a new patient I go to the back of the queue. My condition I beleive to be RA (both GPs have been happy to diagnose RA) but now have to wait another three months for the next appointment to reveal the results of the tests, Sorry just having a rant, but dong expect too much at first.... it takes a long time .

autumnlady wrote:

Hello

this is my first posting and I am wondering if anyone else has experienced the same as me.

Been feeling 'off' for weeks, started getting pain in hips and wrists, fingers are deformed and stiff and now nodules are appearing on them, shape of big toes are changing, dry gritty eyes and just general all over tiredness.,

Went to see GP who did a number of blood tests.

Last night he phoned me after surgery to tell me the blood results were back and that I had a raised Rheumatoid Factor BUT he doesnt think its RA and please can he see me in his surgery on Thursday.

If this isnt Ra what else could it be? Has anyone else had this happen to them?

Many thanks

lindalegs

Hi Autumnlady and welcome to the forum.

I wonder if you can have a raised rheumatoid factor producing the symptoms of RA but it may not be the actual disease that's here to stay. I could be wrong (probably am :roll: ) but it would explain his conversation with you.

Please let us know what happens when you see him on Thursday - then you can explain to us what he means.

Luv Legs

elnafinn

Hi

First of all welome to the forum.

Perhaps you have a thyroid problem as well as arthritis. Both are auto immune diseases. I have osteo arthritis and also had a nodular goitre removed at the age of 16 and have taken thyroxine meds ever since. OA reared its ugly head years later. I have in the past suffered from gritty , dry eyes and been prescribed artificial tears. I have not used the drops for years but have started again to get that gritty feeling in my eyes every so often and then it passes. Before my thyroid op, I was a little overweight, suffered tiredness and lethargy.

I wish you well on Thursday at your gp's appointment. You know your own body the best and if you feel you should be seen by a rheumatologist, suggest this to your gp. Unless your gp has a specialised interest in RA, a rheumi would be the best person to diagnose whether you have RA or not.

Best wishes,
Elna

autumnlady

elnafinn wrote:

Perhaps you have a thyroid problem as well as arthritis

Yes I do take 100mg of thyroxine daily.

Thank you all for the advice and the warm welcome.

topgirl

Hi and welcome...

After reading various posts on here its a good sign ur GP is helpful.
It took me nearly a year to get proper diagnois . My rumy told me there are over 200 types of inflammatory arthritis and when you get a referal to see one they will do a lot more bloods/x-rays and start you on treatment...Good luck
x

autumnlady

Thank you all for your replies.

The GP said that he is referring me to a Rheumatologist, my bloods have shown positive for the RH Factor, a test done 2 years ago was clear but this has now apparently changed.

He has prescribed painkillers and told me to consider getting a lighter job (yeah I can see my boss having that one! Not!).

So I have some questions

So what happens next?

What will happen regarding my job ? I work in a large kitchen and handle really heavy posts and pans etc and frankly I cannot do that just now.

Sorry for the questions but this is all new to me.

Thank you.

lindalegs

Don't apologise for the questions, at this stage your brain will be bursting with them :shock:

As regards 'what happens next' if you mean your Rheumatologist visit the best thing you can do is start writing down a list of questions for him/her as soon as they pop into your head. We will be here to help too should you need us.

With your job you'll probably have to talk to your employer - but I'm on sticky ground here as I'm unable to work. You could try posting on the Working Matters Forum or speak to the Helpline - number at the top of this page and they will be able to advise you.

Hope others will be able to advise you too.

Luv Legs

skezier

Hi, I am glad your being referred and hope they will see you soon. As legs has said its only natural to have questions and the joy of this forum is most of the time you get someone who does know the answers. Again as Legs said post on the working matters forum (Sorry Legs I am just repeating your advice here ) cus there are rules your employer has to adhere to....... I can't help you cus I am self employed and though I often remind my self there are laws to cover me its not that simple when your the boss and don't know the answers!

Good luck and there really are things that others will know. take care Cris

woodbon

Hello I'm sorry to hear that you have RA, although at least now they know what you've got you can start getting the right treatment and hopefully you'll soon be feeling a bit better. Welcome to the site, I hope you will find it useful. Lots of people on here have RA and they will be able to answer your questions and give you support. Love Sue

ichabod6

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