Diseases confused with RA

There are other diseases that can be initially confused with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), because they have similar symptoms. That's why it's so important to speak to a doctor about your symptoms. Some of these other diseases are:
Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is more common in women than in men. People with this condition have widespread pain in the muscles and tissue around the bones, usually in the back, shoulders and neck. Unlike with RA, there is little to no inflammation in the joints. The absence of joint pain probably means that it is not RA, but only a doctor will know for sure. The cause of fibromyalgia is not currently known.
Psoriatic arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis develops only in people with psoriasis, a chronic disease that causes red and white scale-like patches on the skin. Like RA, psoriatic arthritis is caused when the immune system creates too much inflammation in the body. In addition to causing mild to severe joint pain, psoriatic arthritis can also cause swelling of the fingers and toes. Psoriatic arthritis can also lead to joint deformity.
Lupus

Lupus is another disease that involves the immune system. It can cause inflammation and pain. Lupus can damage organs such as the kidney. People with lupus may also have joint pain and a certain kind of skin rash. Generally, people with RA will not have this particular type of rash.
Lyme disease

Lyme disease is caused by a bacteria carried by ticks. People bitten by these ticks can become infected. Symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue and a skin rash. The infection can cause inflammation of the joints if left untreated. Lyme disease can be treated successfully with FDA-approved antibiotics.
Bursitis

Bursitis is caused by inflammation and pain of tissue near the joints, especially in the shoulder or elbow. This can frequently be caused by overuse. Bursitis can often be confused with RA, which causes inflammation and pain in the joints themselves.
Gout

Gout is more common in men than in women. In gout, high amounts of uric acid, a waste product in the body, form crystals in the joints. In people with this condition, the body isn't able to get rid of the extra uric acid. This leads to inflammation and extreme pain, often in the big toe. Gout generally doesn't cause inflammation in the hands, but RA frequently does.

[This Message was Edited on 11/09/2009]

Hi Daylight, You did a great explaination with each of these.
Narrowed each to a easy better understanding.

Thanks for taking your time in posting this, very helpful




Be Well
Butterflydream

Your so sweet but I can't take the credit for the work ,I copied it from a site.
But they did do a great job .

Oh my, i had to chuckle at that one.
So how about this: Thanks for finding the information and copying it from a site.

i really do find all helpful.
Thanks again for finding, copying and posting here.
You have a great day.



Live Life Well
Butterflydream

Hi Daylight!

I thought this one should be on this tread too. It is not too common but my doctors are watching me carefully for this one too.



"Mixed connective tissue disease is a term used by some doctors to describe a disorder characterized by features of systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis, and polymyositis.


Raynaud's syndrome, joint pains, various skin abnormalities, weakness, and problems with internal organs can develop.
Characteristic abnormal antibodies are usually detectable in blood.
Treatment is similar to that of systemic lupus erythematosus, often with corticosteroids.

About 80% of people who have this disease are women. Mixed connective tissue disease affects people from ages 5 to 80. Its cause is unknown, but it seems to be an autoimmune disorder.

Symptoms

The typical symptoms are Raynaud's syndrome (in which the fingers suddenly become very pale and tingle or become numb or blue in response to cold or emotional upset—see Peripheral Arterial Disease: Raynaud's Syndrome), joint inflammation (arthritis), swollen hands, muscle weakness, difficulty in swallowing, heartburn, and shortness of breath. Raynaud's syndrome may precede other symptoms by many years. Regardless of how mixed connective tissue disease starts, it tends to worsen, and symptoms spread to several parts of the body.

The hands are frequently so swollen that the fingers look like sausages. A purplish butterfly-shaped rash on the cheeks and bridge of the nose, red patches on the knuckles, a violet discoloration of the eyelids, and red spider veins on the face and hands all may appear. Skin changes similar to those in systemic sclerosis also may occur. The hair may thin.

Almost everyone with mixed connective tissue disease has aching joints. About 75% develop the swelling and pain typical of joint inflammation (arthritis). Mixed connective tissue disease damages the muscle fibers, so the muscles may feel weak and sore, especially in the shoulders and hips. Tasks such as lifting the arms above the shoulders, climbing stairs, and getting out of a chair can become very difficult.

Fluid may collect in or around the lungs. In some people, abnormal lung function is the most serious problem, causing shortness of breath during exertion."

Site copied - http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec05/ch068/ch068f.html

Thanks for starting this thread - it is very helpful!
Wendys

You beat me to it . lol I was going to post this one today.
I'm being re checked for MCTD because i'm have symptoms of scleroderma and myositis ,possibly it may be lupus but I hate to bark up that tree again. I do have raynauds ,i've had that one for several years. Plus the RA . AI diseases are so very difficult to figure out.

Hi Daylight,

I have RA but my hands swell. The "fingers look like sausages" phrase is exactly right. My hands have been swelling like this for over a year. The doctors didn't seem too worried about it until I pressed the issue.

I just found out I have Raynauds. My hands turned blue since fall began. I never noticed it before - or didn't pay it any attention until my doctor noticed it a few weeks ago in her office.

I worry about Lupus too. My grandmother didn't get diagnosed until it was too late. I feel so bad, she was sick/tired for so long... I know the treatments are out there now that have greatly improved life with Lupus but it's still a bit scary.

AI diseases are the worst... My blood work is "on" then "off". Makes me crazy!

I hope you have a good visit with your doctor next time... Good luck with AIs.

Wendysj

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/scleroderma/DS00362/DSECTION=symptoms

there are different forms of this and sub form (crest) This is often confused with Lupus as it is very similar.

This site is fantastic ,It a great discription of AI disease .test, and mixings of diseases

http://www.lupusmctd.com/index.php?topic=446.0;wap2