New Member

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Hi all. I am new to this group after doing some online research

into probable/possible causes for why I have been feeling so

crummy. Forgive me if this seems lengthy...but I have joint

pain/stiffness/slight swelling in feet and hands every morning (no

deformity or redness)for about 30-45 mins after rising...lots of

other joint aches/pains off and on throughout the day most days.

Feel tired and achy all the time...sometimes think I must be getting

the flu the way everything hurts...but never do. ANA titer is

positive at 1:320 but not enough that it caused great concern with

first rheumatologist I saw. C-Reactive Protein is elevated quite

high...something like 8 times what it should be normally. Other

blood screening panels for RA and lupus were unremarkable...so I

have no clear diagnosis. Seeing another rheumatologist next month

(took 12 weeks for appt)for second opinion on advice of my GP. My

question...did any of you have trouble getting a diagnosis of your

RA, Lupus or Fibromyalgia? I know I have OA...had knee surgery last

year to repair torn meniscus and clean out all the crud from the

arthritis...other one will need to be done at some point too. It's

just pretty frustrating to only be treating symptoms and not trying

to get to the root of the problem.

Thanks for any insight...DT