With a family history of rheumatoid arthritis and the symptoms you describe (worse in the morning, systemic involvement, progressive worsening) a rheumatological process is definitely on the table. What specific blood tests have been done already?I take it that youre in the UK given your terminology, and from what I understand generalists act as cost-saving gatekeepers which is appropriate from a systemic standpoint but can be challenging as a patient who feels like theyre not being heard. I would seek out a second opinion if you feel like your current physician isnt listening.
Could I have Rheumatoid Arthritis? 24FI'm 24 F. I take Adhd medication- methylphenidate. I also take a vitamin d and b12 supplement. Trying to be referred to rheumatology.I didn't know where else to post this but I desperately need advice. Back in December 2022 I noticed a small lump appear on my right hand on my ring finger. I initially put it down to an injury or chilblains as the weather was so cold. But on New Years eve I developed swelling in my hand that didn't quite go away but would fluctuate.Fast forward to Mid-january 2023 the swelling has gotten worse on my right hand with stiffness setting in and it becoming harder to bend certain joints. I called my doctor he told me to go to A&E to make sure I hadn't injured my hand and sent me for a rheumatoid blood test as my mum has rheumatoid arthritis.Went to A&E no hand injury so then I was waiting for the blood test. I had my test and everything came back normal. But my hands were getting worse, stiffness was worse and my left had was also suffering with stiffness, no swelling though. I had a hand examination at my doctors and they confirmed the stiffness in both hands on all my joints. Also the stiffness doesn't go away, its worse in the morning but only gets a little better. I started to notice other things though: weight loss, sweating, odd fevers, appetite going weird, the fatigue has been horrendous. I'm losing hand strength and can't carry shopping bags for long anymore.Present day: I've lost at least a stone/ stone and a half in weight since December. I was 87kg last January (2022) now currently 76kg. I want to make it clear that I've done nothing to change my activity level or diet. I've been working in a bookshop the last 2 years. The tiredness is awful, the stiffness seems to be spreading to my knees and shoulders. Even when I'm walking all day they just feel tight. There was a day my shoulder hurt so much and felt so heavy I couldn't actually pick it up. My overall mood is on the floor, I feel so sad all the time. Its hard to hold my toothbrush, hairbrush etc. I can't pull up a blind some mornings. I have a deformity beginning on my finger.At recent doctors appointment my doctor dismissed my concerns and said I just have chilblains. So now I'm worried I've got everything wrong and I'm just being stupid. I know no one can diagnosed me but I just need advice about my hands as I'm at my wits end. Thank you!