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Date: 28.09.2012
From: Clare

Subject: How much longer?

I could really do with a bit of a boost tonight. Approx 9 weeks ago the middle finger on my right hand started to ache, nothing much but definately worth mentioning and it annoyed me. Within a week every single finger was in the same position, mainly in the finger joints, actual knuckles weren't too bad. Saw the first gp approx three weeks in and she was rubbish. Saw another one at approx 5 weeks and they referred me to this hospital and gave me pain killers. These worked at the time but now my hands are hurting all the time even with them and my feet and toes now hurt too. And my mcp joints. Rang my gp but can't get to speak to one until next Wednesday. Luckily warmth is helping lots. I had clear blood results for rheumatoid indicators, esr was normal, crp was slightly elevated at 15, nothing to be excited about. X rays are clear of anything, thankfully. Reall that enough now and am obviously scared about what this is.
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Date: 28.09.2012
From: Dandelion.

Subject: Re: How much longer?

Clare, do you smoke fags?

Could be diminished blood flow to the extremities..
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Date: 28.09.2012
From: Colin W

Subject: Re: How much longer?

hi Clare

with CRP up , its one of the test they do , it shows protein found in the blood, the levels of which rise in response to inflammation , like in inflammatory arthritis

think you need to try a good Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug , they normaly give out Ibuprofen first but there is a lot better ones like Naproxen & diclofenac , they may be enough to treat it

would go back to GP & asked to be refered & hope you feel better soon
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Date: 29.09.2012
From: Clare

Subject: Re: How much longer?

Dandelion - I'm an ex smoker, 22 months smoke free now so would feel deeply annoyed with the world if it was smoking related after I went to all the trouble of going cold turkey from 30 a day! Lol!

Colin w - I've been on naproxen for four weeks now, and it has gone someway to helping it, but not completely removed the pain. Appointment with the rheumatology dept is a week on Monday but I was hoping that it would have gone away by now!

Having read a few people's posts on here I think I'm in a pretty good position and am being seen fairly quickly but I have the patience of a gnat! And not knowing makes me very grumpy!
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Date: 29.09.2012
From: Lynnr

Subject: Re: How much longer?

Hi Clare I have psoriatic arthrits and it is similar to RA but they diagnose better as there is no immflamation fingers ESP the top digit ism usually involved have u ever had psoriasis? Most cases it comes first but not always.
Hope this helps maybe worth a mention.
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Date: 29.09.2012
From: Colin W

Subject: Re: How much longer?

Hi Clare , hope you get some help , if Naproxen does not improve it a lot , think they may need to add something stronger like a Disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs

not everyone with RA gets rheumatiod factor in blood test , but most get morning stiffness & redness & heat in joints but most are well controled now , PA is similar & treatment the same

good website to checkout http://www.nras.org.uk/

good luck with appointment
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Date: 30.09.2012
From: Clare

Subject: Re: How much longer?

Lynnr - I've never had psoriasis, so I guess psoriatic arthritis isn't very likely?

Colin w - I've just been reading about dmard 's and I don't like the look of them! Oh well, fingers crossed (theoretically of course, not actually physically possible right now! ) that I won't be needing them.

Thanks for the replies x
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