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Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Posted 9/7/2014 2:35 PM (GMT -5)
Hi everyone, I'm new to this RA scene and have a few questions that I'm hoping someone can answer. Long story short, I was diagnosed with chronic lyme in Feb. Received treatment for it and seemed to be doing better, until I wasn't. I thought the lyme had returned but turns out it wasn't lyme - it was RA. I am still not convinced that's what it is. My sed rate is normal, CRP is normal, RF is negative. CCP was negative in Feb but positive now (although a weak positive) and ANA titer was a weak positive in Feb (1:80) and is now much higher (1:320). Trying to understand what's going on. My hands hurt the worst but I've got pain in my shoulders, knees, sometimes ankles, occasionally feet. The pain can be everything from a dull ache to a burning pain and it moves around. I don't notice redness although my knuckles get a bit swollen sometimes. I also don't have the typical morning stiffness - I'm actually better first thing in the morning. I hit a wall both energy wise and pain wise in the late morning that lasts through the day. I'm 39 with 2 active kids and this is so crappy. I was diagnosed with Graves in 2009 but have been able to control it with methimazole off and on. Anyway, just looking for some thoughts. Thanks.
Posted 9/7/2014 8:17 PM (GMT -5)
sounds like they are not sure either, id look at 2nd opinions even if it comes out with the same diagnosis
sorry I cant offer much insight as it could be anything at this point

RA isn't typical and often people do or don't have same symptoms
I have one of the "odd" types that has caused me to question it for years but I keep getting the same diagnosis so I have finally accepted it
but mine started with glandular fever in my early 20's and it got a little better but never back to normal then a few years latter I literally fell in a heap and so the RA merry go round began it took another 2 yrs and 4 specialists to agree on RA but I often thought but I don't get joint swelling no redness (but then I was double jointed so my joints moved instead) but over time I lost movement until finally the joints did swell, and I also get internal and nerve swelling, so all the issues associated with that. RA seems to do what it wants and effect many people differently.

all I can suggest is if you are concerned keep asking questions, ask if its possible to be Graves or the Lyme or an odd RA keep getting blood tests
there is a scan called a Whole Body Bone Scan where they inject radioactive dye then use a CT scanner and it shows any effected joints, that is a good diagnosis tool.
Posted 9/8/2014 8:12 AM (GMT -5)
Thanks for the quick response. I am going to start peptide injections this week through my LLMD who uses all natural treatments as much as possible. They're not cheap ($350 a shot) but worth trying in my opinion before I try all the other stuff. I have an appt with a rheumatologist on Oct 2 so will hopefully know by then if the peptide injections are working. All this autoimmune stuff is crazy. And then to throw Lyme in on top of it - double crazy. Anyway, thanks so much for your response. I think I'm on the right track but I suppose time will tell.

One more question (really 2 questions in one): Do you ever have heart palpitations or stomach pain? I assumed my heart racing and doing weird things was thyroid related but it's not, so I'm wondering about heart issues with ra. And just in the past 3 or 4 days I have an intermittent pain on my right side, just below my rib cage. Comes and goes but hurts enough that I stop and consider it when it pangs. Just wondering if either of these is usual?
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