Date: 18.02.2016
From: Deborah
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Subject: Stiff hands. Beginning of RA?
Hello there. I'm 52, female, and have a strong suspicion that I'm developing RA. It must be said that in the past I've had other "strong suspicions" about various things that came to nothing, so forgive me if I'm being neurotic again! Here's the situation. For the past four weeks I've had stiff hands/fingers upon waking with moderate-mild pain. The stiffness stays with me for the entire day, though varies in severity throughout. Pain also comes and goes, usually depending on what I've been doing or after a prolonged time of disuse. I have some osteo, most notably a hard nodule and frozen joint of the left pinkie finger, which I've had for two-three years. I've also had pain in both knees and ankles, but have always assumed these stem from osteo as well. I've a strong family history for auto-immune diseases, though mostly occurring within an aunt's family (the aunt and two of her daughters and at least one of their children). My sister had juvenile RA (at least that was the diagnosis given at the time), but this has not followed her into adulthood. So... neurotic? Or is this the start of something? Thanks for reading!
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Date: 18.02.2016
From: Colin W
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Subject: Re: Stiff hands. Beginning of RA?
hi Deborah , it could be anything , first stop would be your GP & some blood test which they could check inflammation levels & if you are positive for RA other things you could do , is try some anti-inflammatory tables & Gel like voltarol & see if it helps there are 200 diferent types of arthritis , some people with the chronic skin condition psoriasis develop Psoriatic arthritis & is treated the same as RA , good luck seeing your GP
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Date: 23.02.2016
From: Deborah
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Subject: Re: Stiff hands. Beginning of RA?
Thanks, Colin. I have appointment with GP on Monday, so I'll see what he says.
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