Could this be RA?
I started having severe joint pain and chronic fatigue several months ago. The pain is so severe at times that I can barely walk or sleep. I have hard knots popping up on my forearms near my elbow, my hands, wrists, ankles, and feet. My doctor said my blood tests are all normal except for an extremely low vitamin D level. She said the vitamin deficiency is the cause but after weeks of taking 50,000 IU of vitamin D there is no change in the pain and stiffness of my joints. She doesn't have an explanation for the weird knots either. I'm desperate for relief. Could this be RA?
Yes, it could be RA. It could be other stuff too. Ask to go to a board certified Rheumatologist. That is not normal and you need answers.
Thank you! My doctor refuses to give me a referral to see a rheumatologist so I'm in the process of finding another doctor for a second opinion.
Hi lilbitrowdy. If you feel you are not being heard, it is good that you are looking for a second opinion. As this article from one of our contributors discusses, there is such a thing as seronegative RA and thus blood tests don't always tell the whole story: https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/seronegative-ra-blood-tests-dont-tell-entire-story/. You also mention what you refer to as hard knots, so thought you might be interested in this article from our editorial team on RA nodules: https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/what-is-ra/ra-nodules/. Hope this information is helpful and wishing you the best in getting a proper diagnosis, whether RA or something else. Please feel free to keep us posted. Best, Richard (RheumatoidArthritis.net Team)
Thank you so much for the information. After reading the articles I did a quick search for RA nodules and all of the pictures look exactly like the knots that I have. They are even in the exact same locations. I'm definitely going to get a second opinion. Thank you!
So glad you found the information helpful lilbitrowdy. Please keep us posted on how you are doing and know that you are always welcome here for information and support. Best, Richard (RheumatoidArthritis.net Team)
