Hi everyone,
I’m a 32-year-old woman and I’m very worried about my symptoms.
About 25 days ago, I developed a hard swelling near the DIP joint of my middle finger (close to the nail). The swelling is still there, although it seems a little smaller than before. When I fully bend my finger, I feel pain in that exact area.
Over the last few weeks, I’ve also been experiencing joint pains in different fingers that come and go. The pain usually lasts for a few minutes and then disappears. Sometimes it’s in my PIP joints, sometimes in my DIP joints, and then it moves to another finger.
In the mornings, I sometimes wake up with pain in my PIP and DIP joints. When I repeatedly open and close my hands for a few minutes, the pain goes away.
I also occasionally have pain in other joints, but my finger symptoms worry me the most.
About 2–3 months ago, before any of these symptoms started, I had some blood tests done for unrelated reasons. My CRP was 0.08 (normal <0.5), and my ANA test was negative.
I saw an internal medicine doctor, and after examining my finger, he told me it didn’t look like anything serious or like inflammatory arthritis. He thought it might be a local problem rather than arthritis.
I have an appointment with a rheumatologist, but unfortunately the earliest available appointment is in three months.
I am extremely anxious and terrified that I might have rheumatoid arthritis. Has anyone experienced similar symptoms that turned out NOT to be rheumatoid arthritis? Did anyone have joint pains that came and went, lasting only a few minutes, and everything ended up being something harmless or temporary?
I know no one can diagnose me online, and I’m not asking for a diagnosis. I’m just hoping to hear if anyone has had a similar experience while I wait for my rheumatology appointment.
Thank you very much.