Very Scared, Might have RA

[boblongisback]

Hello,

I am a 24 year old male who is in good shape and enjoyes athletics. I have a chronic knee pain issue that is worriseome, but I'm also worried sick that I may have a lifelong condition such as RA and the anxiety is terrible. If anyone could give an opinion of what the symptoms might be indicative of and if the cause might be RA, I would really appreciate it.

I went to my doctor a year ago to complain of mild pain in my knees (both/equal). The pain is mild and constant, but feels strange when there is impact from running. He said that they were mildly inflammed (I didn't agree, but went along with it) and prescribed anti-inflammatories with an instruction to come back if they didn' t help. They didn't, but the problem went away after about 2 months. The problem came back about a year later. I made an appt with my doctor who referred me to an orthopedic specialist who took x-rays, which revealed that my knees were in excellent skeletal health. He diagnosed chondromalacia patella and said I had a very high degree of extension and I should see a physical therapist to learn some exercises that should yield relief. I saw the PT person twice a week for 5 weeks and got no result. Stangely, my thighs have started hurting occasionally (when I sit, even for short periods). The pain is mild but deep inside my thigh and runs along where the femur would be.  My knees feel the impact when I run but have a dull ache all the time. The whole part of my leg from knee up to mid thigh feels strange with a dull throb all the time, as if I slept on it wrong or tweaked it otherwise.

I am very concerned that I might have RA. I don't fit the age or gender profile, and knees aren't the most common first symptom, but I have tried modulating my activity levels (no sports) and seen little/no relief in my knees. I have ordered an anti-CCCP test but the results will take at least a week.

Thank you. I'm distraught with anxiety.

[chrissy1129]

Sorry that it took so long to get back to you. The pain was first. Horrible pain and then the inflammation came. Never have they been hot or red. Just horrible pain. No one understands unless they go through it. I hope that you are feeling better and if you dont mind let me know what you find out. I will be praying for you.
Chrissy

[boblongisback]

Thanks Chrissy. Was the first thing you felt the inflammation, or just the excruciating pain? Were your knees hot and red? Thank you. Talking to someone is better than waiting for test results.

[chrissy1129]

Hi,
First of all of course I am no Dr. I also have an autoimmune diease and Arthritis. I get knee pain which can bring me off my feet and make me cry in agony. The way I would describe it is that me knees feel like they are going to explode from the inside out. I see a Rheumotiod Dr. She told me that she sees mostly patients with Arthitis whether it be RA or another form and it is usually females between the ages of 20 and 40. I know that you do not fit the female part which I do but your are in your 20's. She also thinks that I have RA but so far the tests have come back normal. She says that if you are not in a flare up as she calls it then it can be hard for the blood test to pick it up. THat one come it could come back neg. then the next positive. However she says that she can feel the arthritis in my hands and knees. I just wanted to let you know so that the age thing doesnt fool you. Also you know your body better than anyone else so if something just doesnt feel right keep at it til you know what it is. I hope that somehow I might have been able to help.
Chrissy