Sudden onset arthritis

[Billyboy74]

I'm a 42 yo healthy male who is in good shape, exercise regularly and maintain a good diet. I am a non smoker and a weekend drinker.

10 days ago I woke with severe pain in one shoulder. Through the course of the day the pain spread to my other shoulder. At first I thought it was muscle strains but when I awoke in the middle of the night the next day I had swollen hands and sore wrists on both sides. Then my knee was also sore. Through the course of a week other symptoms appeared such as a sore throat and general tiredness.

During all of this I was on a work trip overseas and so I came home early to see a doctor in my country Australia. The doctor has sent me for blood tests and has given me a referral to see a rheumatologist. I can't get in to see him until march 1 and in the meantime I'm freaking out that I may have Rheumatoid Arthritis.

I have a history of auto immune issues as a long time sufferer of Lymphocytic Colitis. The colitis was quite bad at the time of the flare up.

Has anyone had a similar experience to me? In your case, was it RA that was eventually diagnosed and if so, did you manage to bring the flare up under control with medication ?

Many thanks
Bill