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If you tested positive for the RA antibody AND have joint swelling and pain, its a pretty safe bet that you do have RA! Be sure to stress to the rheumy about the swelling, even if it isn't present that day. The swelling in my hands varies from day to day as well. I saw my rheumy this morning in fact and, I guess luckily, they were VERY swollen. From all the research I've been doing, everyone recommends treating it NOW. If you take the wait and see approach, irreversible damage can be done in a short period of time. Yes, I don't want this to happen. My PCP didn't seem to know much about RA or what the best treatment options are, but after meeting the rheumy he didn't come across as the type of doctor to wait for it to get worse. Most of the DMARD (I think thats the acronym they use) drugs will take 3-6 months before they start working, why wait until your absolutely miserable before you begin them. You want to slow the progress down NOW as much as possible. Sed rates are used to try and measure the amount of inflammation in your body but they are not real accurate.

I opted for the placquenil but there are several other drugs that will slow the drug down as well. I can't remember what your "child bearing" status is? I'm not planning on having children. I've been with my partner for ten years and we both don't want children. OF course, I don't know how I'll feel five or ten years from now, so all I can say is that I'm not trying to get pregnant. Several of the other drugs they use for RA are not compatible with pregnancy but placquenil can be taken while pregnant. Also, the positive ANA test, that's the Lupus test, can be a big issue when trying to get pregnant.

I know you were joking about the exercise however, do know that even when your hands are swollen and sore, you do need to keep them moving. Yep, I have heard this. My piano teacher had RA so bad that her fingers were crooked. She kept playing the piano and had one of those hand ball things you described. If you "baby" them too much, you can lose a lot of range of motion and mobility! Someone suggested to me the hot was treatments and they really do help! You can by the wax machine and wax at bed, bath and beyond for like $40! I'll have to check this out! My fingers are always cold too, so the heat sounds very nice. I've been going to physcial therapy for several weeks now and they actually gave me this ball of silly puddy like stuff that I'm supposed to squish with my hands and fingers to try and keep the joints lose and moving. I think I'm going to get one of these this weekend.

Please keep us posted!! I know your probably over whelmed right now but I'm so glad your seeing the rheumy dr again soon! Hugs! Michele, thanks for taking the time to share your tips and wisdom! I don't know what I do without all you guys!

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