Symptoms?

Pokejedi9814, you ask a good question! I can't really say if you are dealing with RA related swelling or not, as I can't provide medical input and I also don't know what your knees normally look like. That said, I know the wait for an appointment when you are hurting and anxious can seem endless! How soon is your appointment? Does anything help when you are hurting (ibuprofen, heating pads, ice packs, etc)? Swelling and painful nodules can occur with RA, and your physician should be able to help you get to the bottom of what is going on and (hopefully!) offer some viable treatment options. I hope you get some relief from the pain very soon! Keep us posted on how that appointment goes, if you feel comfortable doing so. Best, Erin, RheumatoidArthritis.net Team Member.

Hi . Your rheumatoid factor is elevated, but it is not definitive, as a number of other condition/issues can raise it (see: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325505#normal-ranges. For this reason rheumatologists only use it as part of the diagnostic process. This article from our editorial team discusses the diagnostic process: https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/diagnosis. Also, have you had an anti-CCP test? While a normal level on this test does not exclude RA, an elevated level is almost exclusively the result of RA.
You mention an upcoming appointment. Is this with a rheumatologist? I ask because they have had specialized in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases that affect the muscles, bones, joints, ligaments, and tendons. If you are seeing a rheumatologist this article from our contributor Tamara on what to expect from your first visit may be helpful: https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/what-to-expect-at-your-first-rheumatologist-appointment.
At this point, there are still multiple potential causes for your issues. An appointment with a rheumatologist should go a long way to, hopefully, getting answers and some relief. Wishing you the best and please feel free to keep us posted on how you are doing. Richard (RheumatoidArthritis.net Team)

Hey - just wanted to follow-up to see how the appointment went? - Warmly, Reggie, team member