Comments on: What Is the First Symptom of Rheumatoid Arthritis?

By: Kelly Young

Kelly Young — Sun, 20 May 2012 13:01:34 +0000

unfortunately so, Lisa. My own realization that I had RA was VERY similar to yours. I hope that all podiatrists are being trained to recognize – mine did when others didn’t.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Sun, 20 May 2012 05:57:39 +0000

My feet started hurting when I was about 23, I went to a podiatrist who gave me cortizone shot in the foot. Two years later I went to another podiatrist who surgically removed a “neuroma” from my foot. During those two years I started having random problems with my hips and shoulders. They would feel like I had injured them and I couldn’t lift my leg or my arm. I thought maybe I had injured them in some way. After 3 years of sore feet and the other problems my hands finally started to hurt. I went to yet another podiatrist who took one look at my feet and asked if I had pain and swelling in other joints. When I affirmed that I did, he said “You need to see a rheumatologist, you might have RA.” I was shocked, I had no idea that someone my age could have such a disease. Now of course, I know better.

By: Kelly Young

Kelly Young — Sat, 19 May 2012 12:43:42 +0000

Good luck with your treatment Dottie. Nope you spelled that fine. Patients & drs often write mtx because its easier.
I’m glad you were able to get an ultrasound to help w/diagnosis. US for musculoskelatal are still not in common use in the U.S. One thing that could speed up the ususally long diagnosis process.

By: Dottie

Dottie — Sat, 19 May 2012 07:23:07 +0000

My first symptom of RA occured in March 2011 and was located in my shoulders and the deltoid muscles. The pain was so bad that even touching my skin on my arm was painful.
Over the course of a year, the pain has moved to my hands, feet, and ankles. I was just diagnosed March 9th 2012 with Rheumatoid Arthritis. From the time of initial onset to diagnosis, I have been through 2 EMG’s, numerous MRI’s, a spinal tap, etc. So the docs are certain I do not have a neurological disorder. After I was finished with the Neurologists, then I went back to my Rheumatologist and he noticed the swelling in my hands. He got me immediately in for an ultrasound where he and another Rheumatologist could see the inflamation in my synovial sacs and fluid. FINALLY a diagnosis. I have started on Methotrexate (may have spelled that wrong). I just took my second dose. Now I am trying to learn everything I can possibly learn about RA.

By: Kelly Young

Kelly Young — Wed, 16 May 2012 14:39:24 +0000

Thank you for posting. I do think it helps others to have the facts laid out here by real patients.

Many do not have hand or even feet involvement for several years as we can see by reading the comments on this site.

By: LadyLaw81

LadyLaw81 — Wed, 16 May 2012 14:18:01 +0000

I’ve had severe pain in my hips the past 7 months. (Started in left hip, then right began a few months later). Left foot turns outward significantly. Range of motion is decreased.

Had no major difference between morning and night stiffness. Any time I’m still, my legs burn. Range of motion is bad all day. Had no problems with hands or feet.

My orthopedist took x-rays, MRIs and finally an arthrogram of left hip. It showed minor cartilage degeneration, but I still had no diagnosis. He said he’d refer me for arthroscopic surgery next because he was out of ideas.

Got a second opinion. On the first visit, new ortho tested me for RA (unlikely, he said, but just in case). Both RF and Anti-CCP were low titer positive. SED rate was normal.
I’m not certain I have RF yet (he told me a Rheumatologist would have to make the diagnosis and referred me). But if so, it presented with zero hand involvement until the last day or so (I’ve noticed some mild hand swelling in the mornings that lasts several hours).

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Wed, 09 May 2012 20:46:55 +0000

I was diagnosed when I couldn’t walk because of knee pain & the X-ray showed my left knee had no cartilage & arthritis was in the bones of my left leg at the age of 37, which is way too young for a knee to be like that. However, for the few years before my knee pain I started to get sick all of the time and was told it’s because I had small children bringing germs home & I had fatigue with aches & pains but my doctor basically told me it was all in my head by diagnosing me with depression because I was a busy mom. It feels horrible to be told you’re just depressed when you ask a doctor if something could be wrong with your immune system when you have legitimate reasons for concern. I will always believe that had it been taken seriously & discovered before my knee pain happened that I would be much healthier today and able to walk. Now I believe it’s eroded the cartilage in my cervical spine and is currently destroying my shoulders.

By: Katy

Katy — Sun, 06 May 2012 08:36:26 +0000

My hands were not involved for a long time(thankfully adit let me continue my career as a violinist longer). My feet came first and I also had deformities like you described and felt like I was walking on rocks. I remember feeling for several years that something must be wrong with me like cancer because I just felt unwell all the time. It wasnt until I had some other joint pain- knees and a shoulder and morning stiffness( it used to be just in the morning..sigh) that I asked the doctor to test me for RA(DUH). Even after a positive ANA
and RA factor ( which he didn’t tell me about) he told me I didn’t have RA becaUse my ESR was not elevated. Luckily I hacks the sense to seek out a rheumatologist who was shocked that I had not been diagnosed.Forefoot reconstruction has done wonders for the pain in my feet and I can now wear something besides a men’s EEEEEE width! Enbrel gave me about a 50% improvement but has stopped working. I am a tower of doom like you. I was so resolved to hear you say that you have a hard time explaining that EVERY day is bad. I have lied to so many people, including myself which has caused a lot of guilt. Keep writing… You are really helping your fellow warriors!!!

By: karen

karen — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 15:15:28 +0000

my first symptoms of ra was my knuckles were red and when i would squeeze a rag out my hands went numb. it kept happening and thats when someone suggested i see a ra doctor.

By: Kelly Young

Kelly Young — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 12:59:00 +0000

Hi Simone,
Obviously 2 acetaminphen / paracetamol is not sufficient for RA and lung issues. I hope you have found better care. That happens with RA and it’s so hard to keep trying when they don’t do anything, but we have to keep trying.