no diagnosis yet

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone!

My name is Deb Toms and I am 34 years old. I have suddenly found myself

off of work and unable to do much of anything. My symptoms started in

January with a sore and stiff neck. My PCP said it was stress and told

me to take 800 mg ibuprofen (this did not help). About a month later

my knees were so stiff and painful upon awakening that I had difficulty

getting down the stairs. Within a few days I noticed pain in my

wrists,ankles and my chest as well. My appetite is very poor and I have

lost 11 lbs in 3 weeks. I have had a low fever at times. Within a week

I couldn't get out of bed one morning. I went back to my PCP and they

ordered some blood work. They tested me for Lupus and Lyme's Disease

(both negative). My Ced Rate was 90 but my RF Factor was negative. My

doctor is now convinced that I do not have RA. I am not as confident.

My husband is a nurse and I have been looking through a lot of his

nursing books and discovered that 20 -25% of RA patients have a negative

RF factor. I have an appointment next week with a RA specialist and

hope to know more after that but in the mean time, I would appreciate

anyone's input.

I work in a warehouse and work 12 hour shifts where I stand constantly

and lift heavy boxes. As I said before I am on Short Term Disability

for now and my joints are not as bad, but I have not done too much the

past week. My joints start to hurt more if I am on my feet for just a

few hours. My PCP has me on Relafen and Ultram for pain but I am not

sure they are working very well.

Thanks for your help.

Deb Toms