Sometimes I wonder if I have something else, and not RA. For one thing, I’m 24 and male…I’m not supposed to have RA. Second, it’s not in my extreme joints. Just one knee and one ankle. No toes, fingers, or ankles. Second, my stomach hurts when I eat anything other than bland food. I wonder if I really have some gluten insensitivity or something.
Does anybody know anything that looks like RA, but isn’t? Anything I should look into?
Well, blood tests are in. The test for rheumatoid factor was negative, but one third of those with RA test negative. Erythrocyte Sediment Rate was negative, which means it isn’t fibromyalgia. Antinuclear Antibody test was positive with a homogenous pattern. Which does not exclude RA but does make lupus a distinct possibility. And, of couse, there’s no rule I can’t have both.
Fuck.
To top it off, while I’m dealing with whatever the hell this is, my herpes decided to flare, and the first symptoms of that is severe muscle and joint aches and profound exhaustion.
I have an appointment with a rheumatologist on the 21st. Until then, it seems like I’m on my own.
Good luck, phouka. Let us know how it goes. Until then, try ibuprofen or naproxen for the pain/inflammation.
Lupus was initially suspected in me since I have the classic “butterfly rash” on my face, which had been diagnosed for years as rosacea. But alas, I was cleared of lupus and diagnosed with RA.
An older relative of mine got it when he was in his early 20’s. It was extremely painful and all his fingers ended up gnarled and he had difficulty walking. He became an alcoholic- two bottles of rum a day- and died in his 50’s. That was 20 years ago and I hope that treatment is far better and more advanced for you guys.
ANAs are shitty tests. They have a huge false positive rate.
Of the two, I would prefer RA. At least it doesn’t kill people the way lupus does. Treatments for both have improved, but the sticker is still insurance.
So, just going to hang in there until the 21st and hope my symptoms improve enough to work reliably.