Getting a diagnosis for rheumatoid arthritis

ashleyRoxanne88

I had bloods done at my GP and he said I've tested positive for rheumatoid athritus as with my symptoms it matched also waiting a long 8 months not being able to walk gettin so much worse some of my fingers don't work no more been to a rheumatology appointment today he said yes uve tested positive in bloods but I don't no why u can't move finger u look fine to me won't give me medication as just done xrays I feel like it was a bit pointless because im young he made me feel like I'm fine but I'm not if that makes sense I now have to wait for more appointments as he says it could be something else and u may get rheumatoid arthritis later in life but I have all symptoms for it not sure wat to do x

helpline_team

Hello @ashleyRoxanne88 and welcome to the Online Community. We are a friendly and supportive group and I hope that will be your experience too.

I am sorry to hear about all the new symptoms you are experiencing, and today's appointment with the rheumatologist was not as supportive as you hoped. It is frustrating that you still don't have a clear diagnosis. It sounds as if the rheumatologist thinks you may have another type of arthritis, not rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Your GP was right to refer you to rheumatology as your blood tests had positive results for an auto-immune inflammatory type of arthritis. It can be a worrying and uncertain time waiting for a diagnosis. You mention that it is difficult to walk and you have reduced movement in your fingers. While you are waiting for another rheumatology appointment and more tests, it may help to ask your GP to refer you to a physiotherapist for help with your mobility and advice about exercises. Referral to a hand clinic may be worth considering too.

Between rheumatology clinic appointments, it is usually possible to contact the rheumatology nurse helpline and ask for a call back so that you can talk things through further. This can be especially helpful during the early stages of diagnosis and also when you start new medication to treat your condition.

If you would like to have more replies to your post, you are welcome to repost on our Living with Arthritis forum which is a supportive space where you can ask questions and share experiences with others. You are also welcome to call our Free Helpline on 0800 5200 520 weekdays 9am - 6pm if you would like to talk things through informally and in confidence.

I hope the information given below will be of some help.

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/arthritis/

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

Please keep posting and let us know how you are getting on and I'm sure others will connect with you as well.

Best wishes,

Fiona, Helpline Advisor

ashleyRoxanne88

Thank you I'm new to this just looking for advice to see if anyone else had similar situation but the more I read think so many having a difficult time gettin diagnosed x 💖

frogmorton

@ashleyRoxanne88

100% yes 'they' can be very reluctant to diagnose us. I hope that you will get some help soon just keep at it. My main advice to always to take someone with you to appointments you are much less likely to get fobbed off then.

Best of luck

Toni x

Sandiestraw

Sometimes records get lost, I didn’t get medication initially for my Rheumatoid arthritis as this happened to me.i called the rheumatologist nurse and she was able to chase everything up for me. Don’t leave it long if you don’t hear back from the department is my advice.

ashleyRoxanne88

Well my rheumatologist got bk to my GP sayin he can't see no active rheumatoid arthritis as I don't have swelling but I should keep a diary and go bk to see him in 12 months I wasn't expecting that. my RF was 370 and ccp was 198 not sure was that means but my GP is nice she thought it was as I was struggling I'm thinking I'm gettin fobbed off he said in notes to GP he did ultra sound and xray and it was fine I haven't had a ultrasound just a 2 min xray which I haven't seen the results can I request it do u no x

helpline_team

Hi @ashleyRoxanne88

Thank you for your post. It can be difficult when you do not have a clear diagnosis and you are left with so many questions. It sounds like your GP is supportive and it is certainly reasonable to ask for clarification from them as to what the xray showed and the meaning of the blood test results. Also you can explain to your GP that the ultrasound did not happen and could they possibly request one.  

Keeping a diary of symptoms can be helpful both for yourself and the health care professionals involved in your care.  You could speak to your GP about the way you are feeling and that you know something is not right so they can continue to look at what may be the diagnosis. I have put a link in to our information on what is arthritis that includes the main types which may help in speaking to your GP.

I hope this is helpful.

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/arthritis/

Best Wishes

Dawn, Helpline Advisor

ashleyRoxanne88

Thank you x