Just wondering....
Hello all, I am waiting to see a Rheumatologist but I was curious if my situation sounds similar to any of yours. I just turned 55, workout 5-6 days a week, try to stay very active and am typically very busy. I have had a couple of years of frequent viral infections. (2 to 3 a month). I did better during the summer but get sick quite often which is very different from my previous health history. I have a son who my husband and I lost at 17 due to a primary immune deficiency, so I am familiar with much about autoimmune and immune dysfunction.
I had onset of arthritis in my hands with what appears to be nodules on the top joint of my fingers and thumb, then my wrists and somewhat in my shoulders as it went on, last fall. It was a sudden onset and at that time I was pretty sick with a nasty virus that lasted about 14 days. It seemed to calm down in Nov and December and I thought it was just a fluke. It flared up again and I am also having frequent bouts with tendinitis, around my wrist, my shoulder and one of my feet. This is new.
I test at 14 (positive) for rheumatoid factor, 18 (negative) CCP antibodies, a positive ANA - A homogenous factor. The rest of my labs are all in the normal range. I am going this week for a few more blood tests.
I was sick last week with a bout of nausea and vomiting for two days and I just started another virus yesterday (sore throat, cough, congestion)
Again, just waiting for my appointment which is 4 1/2 mos away but wondering if this is familiar to anyone else.
Thank you for any input,
Teresa
Hi Teresa (
). I am so very sorry for the loss of your son. How horribly heartbreaking. My heart goes out to you. Waiting for an appointment can be so hard. I'll bet you are feeling super anxious for that day to finally get here. I won't speak to the blood tests because I am not very familiar with the numbers associated with RA, but I do know that any stress on the body can trigger autoimmune diseases. So it is not surprising that RA might take advantage of your weakened state to make its debut right now. What has your doctor said about the fact that you have been sick so frequently? It would seem that your doctor would want to address that first just in case some kind immune dysfunction issue is at the heart of all this. I hope others here are able to give you more information and some good advice. Please keep us posted as you go through this diagnostic journey if you don't mind. I will be thinking of you. - Lori (Team Member) 
, I can't really elaborate on what Lori already wrote, but I do want to echo her words of support for you. I am a big fan of calling a doctor's office and asking to get put on a cancellation list, so if an earlier appointment date opens up (because someone has to cancel), you may be able to get in sooner than 4 1/2 months from now. It may be worth a try.
I am so very sorry for the loss of your son. Whether it's been recent or many years ago, I know a mother's heart is never the same after losing a child.
As Lori mentioned, please keep us posted on how you are doing, if you feel comfortable doing so.
Best, Erin, RheumatoidArthritis.net Team Member.
