Painful joints

Iam64, my rheumatologist also told me that you can still have RA despite a having a negative result. Rheumatologists don't just make make a diagnosis using a blood test, they also use a set of criteria.
Your GP does seem "on the ball", however if there is no lasting improvement, as Iam64 suggests, ask to be referred to a rheumatologist.
RA is not just some sore knees or hands as some people think, many of us suffer chronic fatigue, excruciating pain and a host of other problems.
However, I managed to work for another twenty years after my diagnosis in very demanding and fulfilling job. There are times when you do feel sorry for yourself, then you give yourself a shake and get on with it.
I am having a flare up just now, in terrible pain, been overdoing things, but I know with the fantastic support of my consultant and being sensible, I will hopefully have a bit of a respite and get on with my life.
It is good that your new meds are helping. Just remember there are lots of very kind people on this site who will support you, whatever the outcome

Sar53 - I don't want to be a misery but, negative blood results for RA don't mean you don't have some kind of inflammatory arthritis. Your description of wrists, hands, finger swelling pain and stiffness that reduces as the day progresses will be familiar to many of us with inflammatory arthritis.
It's my understanding as a patient finally diagnosed with RA/psoriatic inflammatory arthritis, that the inflammatory marker blood test can come back negative when the disease is active. (that's from my Rheumatologist, not something I dreamed up). Your GP sounds good, maybe you could ask for a referral to your Rheumatology consultant. I do hope all is well.

Well you haven't got RA so be thankful. I suggest gentle exercises on stiff and sore parts, It works wonders over time by encouraging the joints to produce more synovial fluid.

For example - ankles, gently flex them forwards and backwards about 10 times, then rotate each one ten times clockwise then anti-clockwise. This works on wrists and fingers too. I've cured the ache in my hip (for now anyway), my knee, my ankles, my wrists, my thumbs, my neck and my shoulders by gentle rotating and flexing exercises over the last few months.

The aches may come back one day, who knows (?) but for now I'm pain free without resorting to OTC medication.

Try fish oil or a product called Jointassure made and sold by Boots. It contains glucosamine, chondroitin and ginger and other ingredients. It was recommended on here and I found it helpful, as did others who subsequently posted.

Yes RA and SLE are both autoimmune diseases but Lupus (SLE) affects connective tissue rather than bone and joints (although they are not exempt) and can affect any organ in the body and can be life threatening- just a shorthand explanation of the difference. There is a great deal more!!!

Thank you for your replies and kind words. I took my first steroid tablets yesterday and cannot believe how much better my joints feel today. Hardly any pain and stiffness this morning.
Does anyone know the difference between Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus?

I agree about the sitting. Mine is so much worse when I sit for an evening and quite often go to bed early and listen to a story. I would also recommend Voltorol 12 hour. I know they say you should not use it with the tablets but I do find it helps and have had no side efects. For quick pain relief I use 3 soluble Asprin in half a glass of Pepsi Max. Tastes vile but hits the spot really quickly. I think it is the caffeine in the coke which gets it into your system quickly. (This was a tip from Mumsnet).

I sympathise sarah53 I had joint pains and swelling for years until diagnosed with SLE. I was started on Naprosyn which I think is the first and cheapest medication doctors try but it didn't work for me so I'm on Enteroxib for inflammation and some other things for the Lupus. I find I am very stiff in the mornings and need to move about. Sitting for long periods is not a good thing so you need to find some regular exercise that you can do to jeep you flexible and mobile. Lots of people find yoga and similar things helps. Do take you painkillers which will also help you to stay mobile. Its harder to move about when you are in pain. Dot let this get you down there are loads of treatments and load of us on here who know what its like and empathise with you. Best wishes.

I have been diagnosed too and have been prescribed Naproxen. Please take the medication to see how it is. I find I am in less pain now. I have occasionally stopped taking the tablets and then it comes back. On your next visit could you ask about physio therapy. I have been referred to physio and the exercises have really helped. When I first started going in January, I could just about do the exercises but now things are much better. I had X-rays as well to see where the problems started.

I have rheumatoid arthritis, I had it for a very long time before it was finally diagnosed. I kept complaining about my joints and my GP dismissed my fears, despite the fact there was a long family history of RA. The steroids I took for my lung conditions masked it for all those years. Coincidentally I was at the rheumatology clinic today and I have to go into the day ward, as I am suffering badly today. However, I know that a dose of steroids will help relieve the pain. The care I receive is second to none.Hopefully your steroid prescription will help alleviate your pain. Just keep going back to your GP if your problems persist. I am sure once the weather gets a bit better, you will find a difference. I always feel damp weather makes me worse. With RA you get flare ups and it is natural to feel sorry for yourself, I sometimes do! However, there are occasions when I have some respite, so it is not all doom and gloom. I hope you get a diagnosis soon, as worry and stress makes the condition worse. Deep warm baths and heat or ice packs always help me. Take care and I hope you feel better soon

I find that certain foods seem to upset me; you could perhaps see if anything is triggering it or ask the doctor for a test (I never have) or you could have a low-grade virus infection which can cause joint pains and lingers on for a while.
If your joints are red as well as swollen then you need to go back and ask again.

Hope you feel better soon.

Sar53 , I don't suffer from any joint / mobility problems but last week a friend was telling us about someone with painful arthritis and I realised that this person was 5 years younger than me. I wish you a speedy recovery and hopefully the better weather that seems to be trying to show itself will help your symptoms.