RA or what? Feeling very down!

Been

I am 45 years old female. In 2020 I felt a dull pain in my toes which settled. Then in 2021 my index fingergot swollen but it settled. Then I started having pain in 2022 in my hands n fingers and was referred to rheumatologist. In the meantime I had swelling in my middle finger and doctor gave me steroud injection in hand and in hip. After that there was no pain. Then I started feeling dull pain in all my joints and doc gave ne another hip injection and my next 3 months went ok. All results wers normal. Now again for past 1 month there is dull pain and now swelling in my wrist and in my finger. Its very painful. Almost all joints are aching. I have my ultrasound of hands due. I am also on hydroxychlorquinne for past 2 months . I am just feeling so low. All results are normal. There is no morning stiffness. I am unable to do so many tasks. At times I just cry. In gym I struggle at times to do treadmill as my ankles hurt so much. I wonder what type of arthritis it is and will I suffer like this forever? Will it ever end? All sorts of negative thoughts just overwhelm me.

noddingtonpete

Hello @Been. Unfortunately when first diagnosed it can be overwhelming and get us down. It can take some time for drugs to be effective, or for the rheumatologist to find the right treatment for you. Keep persevering as a lot of people on here have gone through similar journeys and come out the other side. Have a look through the following, it might help.

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/managing-symptoms/emotional-wellbeing/

I hope that the consultants find out what type of arthritis you have soon and can then prescribe treatment which helps you feel better. Please let us know how you get on.

Best wishes

Peter

Woofy

https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/62674/ra-or-what-feeling-very-down

hi @Been.

My RA diagnosis didn’t show up straight away either. I’ve been in a lot of pain over the last couple of years, except when I’ve had short courses of steroids. It seems to take time to find the right diagnosis for some people. No two people are the same.
try keeping a journal then you can show your rheumatologist. I would advise you to pace yourself with the exercise for a while.
make sure you have good support when it comes to footwear. Try to get a physiotherapist appointment so they can show you some gentle exercises for your feet. Lastly keep us updated, we are all up against it on here, you are not alone. Good luck.