Rheumatoid arthritis?!
Question: can any one explain this type of arthritis to me? i have been diagnosed with arthritis for many years now and it is only getting worse. every joint in my body hurts-hands,fingers,wrist,toes, ankles, knees, hip (both sides and center), chest joint and ribs, elbow-just one, back-lower and upper, and jaw. it started mildly at 20yrs old and this past year and a half (i'm 34 now) it has progressed to the point of intolerable. i am loosing cordination in my fingers and feet.
Answers: can any one explain this type of arthritis to me? i have been diagnosed with arthritis for many years now and it is only getting worse. every joint in my body hurts-hands,fingers,wrist,toes, ankles, knees, hip (both sides and center), chest joint and ribs, elbow-just one, back-lower and upper, and jaw. it started mildly at 20yrs old and this past year and a half (i'm 34 now) it has progressed to the point of intolerable. i am loosing cordination in my fingers and feet.
Rheumatoid Arthritis is 'systemic'. That means not only does it affect the joints, but also the muscles, tendons, ligaments and organs. The diagnosis, a simple blood test looking for the Rheumatoid Factor. While many people test positive, it is a low titer, low count and they never succumb to RA. However over a certain count, chances are you have RA. Likewise a FBC, full blood count along with ESR, C reactive protein plus x-rays and symptoms will make the diagnosis concrete. If you think you have RA then it is important you see your GP/Physician and ask for these blood tests. If they are positive, then you need to be referred to a Rheumatologist, a specialist in Arthritis. The treatment has moved on and some people are having excellent results in keeping the inflammation under control, which means pain free, with some of the new biological treatments available. RA differs from OA! RA tends to flare and then go into remission. The joints first become red, then hot and then swell. I once had a elbow the size of a knee! Their is no cure, however with the guidance from a Rheumatologist, PT, joint replacements life can be normal.
OA or Osteoarthritis is normal wear and tear. While you do get inflammation at the start, it tends to die back, so the typical flare and remission of a single joint, perhaps a knee, is not like RA. The knee in RA can get red, hot, swollen many times.
With over 100 different forms of Arthritis, it is important you get a diagonsis and then treatment. Plain old Arthritis is not good enough.
Good Luck
Rheumatoid arthritis is an auto immune disease. It should be treated young but there is no specific treatment for it, just symptomatic one and a lot of exercise. Usually stiffness in the mornings. If you do not exercise your joints, in time it will get locked & you will not be able to move it. A lot of physio therapy & hot fermrntation is needed. Some times it will go away.
By your history, it does not look like RA. may be ostio artritis. your orth or Rhematoligist can be the best judge.