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Arthritis

A MyFibroTeam Member asked a question 💭
New Plymouth, NZ

Hi team, I have had painful swelling in the joints of my toes and fingers, painful elbow and wrists and knees, my knees have bene grtting burning hot red looking over the knee caps and painful.
My RA results are with in normal range, and I'm concerned my gp may brush this off as fibromyalgia, when it isn't.

Does anyone know what I should be asking for as follow up tests, what other arthritis could it be?
Would love some ideas from you folk.

June 3, 2021
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Answer Summary

Members rallied around someone experiencing painful joint swelling and redness with normal RA test results, sharing their own journeys of... Read more

Members rallied around someone experiencing painful joint swelling and redness with normal RA test results, sharing their own journeys of misdiagnosis and eventual clarity through persistence and second opinions. Several members described being diagnosed with conditions like osteoarthritis, seronegative inflammatory arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and degenerative disc disease only after years of pain and multiple specialists, emphasizing the importance of requesting imaging like X-rays and MRIs and seeing an orthopedic surgeon or rheumatologist who will truly listen. A recurring theme was the frustration of being dismissed or misdiagnosed based on appearance or fibromyalgia assumptions, with members encouraging the original poster to keep advocating fiercely for answers until finding a doctor who takes their pain seriously.

A MyFibroTeam Member

Osteoarthritis. I have it. Very similar symptoms to yours. Best of luck. Join my group if you’d like. 🙃

June 4, 2021
A MyFibroTeam Member

Hi! Im sorry this is happening to you. The same happened to me. I was diagnosed with arthritis at 25. My knees were the only joints affected then. About 8 years later everything hurt: back, knees, hands, feet, wrist. I was referred to Ortho which diagnosed me with carpel tunnel. I had surgery on right wrist ( didn't stop my pain) After 2 years, several MRIs, xrays, & blood tests later he said he could no longer treat me because he couldnt figure out how to help me. He sent me to pain management. From there i was sent to rehab & chiropractic. This was the best thing. My chiropractor found that i had a 19.5 degree curve in my spine. I was diagnosed with scoliosis. He worked on my back with chiropractics, occupational therapy. It really helped. I actually saw 4 Rheumatologist before 1 finally did test & diagnosed me with seronegative inflammatory arthritis. He has done so many tests over the last few years. Even no I test negative for RA but my bones show deterioration all over my body. I was diagnosed with degenerative disc disease fro. L4 to SI. I have fibro, osteoarthritis in my hands & wrists.
Be encouraged my friend! Keep getting 2nd, 3rd, 4th....etc opinions until you find the doctor that will listen to you. Its sad! Why would anyone lie aboyt being in excruciating pain. Its not fun! I went 2 years untreated. Sometimes i wanted to die. I couldn't walk. I was in so much pain. My rheumatologist told me after 7 years that if i had been a long time patient he wouldnt believe i had fibromyalgia, smh! Sad to say they all judged me on my appearance. No matter how i feel i dress nice. Gesshhh! Who knew sick people couldnt dress well!

I pray you find help soon! Don't give up! Sorry so long!

June 3, 2021
A MyFibroTeam Member

They will send you for x-rays or ultrasound and may recommend keyhole surgery to clean up the knee and other affected areas.

June 19, 2021
A MyFibroTeam Member

They did mri on me several times to find arthritis (anklosing spondylitis) ddd and stenosis in both cervical and lumbar. Lower back is worst. When my epidurals wear off it locks up and i literally can barely walk. Im only 61

June 4, 2021
A MyFibroTeam Member

Get a referral to an Orthopaedic surgeon for a second opinion

June 3, 2021
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