Suspected arthritis

dufour

Hi I have just come across this site. My doctor suspects that I have arthritis but my blood test come back normal except for I have anemia.
Have been referred to a specialist which I have been waiting for an appointment for 16 weeks finally seeing him on Monday.
My question is I have very painful hands and feet. My hands have developed nodules on the palm and finger joints. My feet feel like I have bad chilblains and sore to touch and walk on. As a ball park diagnoses what kind of arthritis does this sound like?
I realise that this is a shot in the dark but any comments would be helpful.

dorcas

Hi dufour and welcome to the forum ':)'

Sorry can't answer your questions though. ''....but at least you've not long to wait to see the doc and hopefully start on meds to help with the pain.

Let us know how you get on? Iris x

elnafinn

Hi Dufour

I just wanted to wish you well with your appointment which is tomorrow I believe. As I understand it you can have RA with a blood test coming back normal and if the diagnosis is OA then it does not show up in a blood test anyway. Hopefully you will receive answers to your questions and will be put on some medication to help you too.

Please let us know how you go on.

Luv
Elna x

dorcas

dorcas wrote:

Hi dufour and welcome to the forum ':)'

Sorry can't answer your questions though. ''....but at least you've not long to wait to see the doc and hopefully start on meds to help with the pain.

Let us know how you get on? Iris x

just wanted to add that not all forms of arthritis show positive rheumatoid factor; PA for example....good luck for today! iris x ''

helpline_team

Hi dufour
Welcome to the Forum.
I hope your appointment goes well today and you get some answers to your questions.
If you want to talk to us after you've seen the specialist do put up another posting or you can contact us privately either by email to Helplines@arthritiscare.org.uk or ring us on the Freephone number.
Best wishes
Val

dufour

helpline_team wrote:

Hi dufour
Welcome to the Forum.
I hope your appointment goes well today and you get some answers to your questions.
If you want to talk to us after you've seen the specialist do put up another posting or you can contact us privately either by email to Helplines@arthritiscare.org.uk or ring us on the Freephone number.
Best wishes
Val

Hi thanks for all your support. Yesterday I saw the specialist and he has referred me to be admitted to hospital for further test. He is not sure which type of Arthritis I have. I have to go for a full CAT scan, xray on feet and a liver scan. Hopefully this should all happen in the next couple of weeks. In the meanwhile all I can do is wait. He has changed my medication from Indometacin to Naprosyn.
Will keep you informed of any further developments.javascript:emoticon(':P')

dufour

Hi I have just been in hospital for the last 10 days undergoing test. They have now come to a conclusive diagnosis. I have got inflammatory arthritis, Raynauds and scleroderma.
It is all a bit difficult to comprehend, and I am still confused as to my future. The one I am most worried about is the scleroderma, as I have read that it can affect the main organs. At the moment it is in my hands. Can anyone tell me if it spreads once treatment has started? I am reluctant to believe everything that is written on the Internet to many scare stories. Look forward to your replies. :roll:

helpline_team

Hi Dufour

Thank you for keeping us updated with how things are going. I understand that this is a really worrying and confusing time for you right now. Getting a new diagnosis is always a shock, but this can be even worse when it's a relatively unknown condition which can have potentially serious implications.
So you're right not to scare yourself with horror stories on the internet. Scleroderma can range from very mild to severe, but it sounds like you were diagnosed quite quickly which is really positive because there have been huge strides forward in treating this condition. For most people it is manageable with the right treatment. And there is quality information out there if you know where to look. The Scleroderma Society produce an excellent booklet called Understanding and Managing Scleroderma, which you can download from their website:
http://www.sclerodermasociety.co.uk/newsite/booklet.php
They also have a freephone helpline which is staffed by people living with scleroderma. We've done quite a lot of work with them recently and feel confident to say you'll get some really good info and support if you contact them.
Let us know how you get on.

Best wishes
Paul