Rheumatology (including Arthritis)/Is this arthritis?

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Expert: Karen Brawner - 10/7/2004


Question
Sometimes when I wake (only in the A.M.) my middle nuckles of my fingers feel tight/pain when I tighten my hand.  Is this fluid? or What?  It really only happens a few times, has just started over that past month.  Could this be arthritis?

Answer
Dear Traci,   THis is probably NOT fluid, but could be the first signs of arthritis inflmmation...

The only way to diagnose Rheumatoid Arthritis is to have a blood tests called the Rheumatoid Factor and if positive, then you definately have RA...  If negative, there is still a slight chance you could have RA....  X-rays will also help with a diagnosis....

As for osteoarthritis, ONLY an MRI will tell for sure....

Thank you,   karen

Rheumatology (including Arthritis)

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Karen Brawner

Expertise

I can answer questions regarding osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. I can also answer questions regarding other autoimmune diseases of which rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease.

Experience

I have a family history of rheumatoid arthritis and I myself suffer from osteoarthritis. I also suffer from systemic sclerosis and CREST syndrome which are also autoimmune disease (rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease.)

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