Hi everyone! Terrified 26yr old here

[Rikki_Sixx]

Hi everyone,
I'm Rik, I've just this week found out that I more than likely have Rheumatoid Arthritis. It's not something I know much about and didn't expect to hear those words until I was closer to 60, not 26, so I'm pretty scared.

For the last few weeks I'd been getting a few aches in finger-joints (not all at once, more like alternating fingers each few days) and once my feet started to feel bruised I went to the doctors. After a blood test I was told I have a high level of Rheumatoid Factors (but low inflammation level) .

I have been referred to a Rheumatologist straight away but due to the long weekend I've not even a hint of how long the wait will be. I'm pretty scared that I'll have to wait 10 weeks to even be seen and in that time I'll be suffering irreparable damage. Am I just over reacting?

I have days where I don't worry and days when I'm terrified. Trying to be pro-active by looking at my diet, exercises, getting a book, etc but whenever I read a bad story from someone I have to click off. Has anyone else felt this way?

Thanks, sorry for getting a little heavy on my introduction :) I hope everyone's doing well,
Rik

[kageyd]

Rikki, by now you have found Facebook RA. On Facebook, you might also join Faces of Rheumatoid Arthritis grouup. Small, and very, very nice people. Nice complement to the monster group, the one with 3500 members.

I stop by here periodically to refer people to FB. Paula Simon and I met here, and she steered me after a while to Facebook,and I come back to try to do the same for others. This thing just died, I have no idea why, but no one posts here.

See you on FB. Kagey