Rheumatoid arthritis is the second most common arthritis while degenerative arthritis is most common, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Because early treatment of rheumatoid arthritis has been shown to decrease the joint damage that can occur, it is important to differentiate rheumatoid arthritis from other arthritic diseases. The information you provide your physician can speed the diagnosis.
Step 1
Seek prompt medical attention if a joint suddenly swells, becomes red and feels warm. These are the signs of an infection, according to the AAOS.
Step 2
Make an appointment with your physician. The office needs to know that the reason you wish to be seen is possible rheumatoid arthritis so they can allow for enough time for your visit.
Step 3
Start your journal. Describe how you first noticed symptoms. Explain what you think makes your joint pain better or worse.
Step 4
Write down today's date and what joints hurt. If your joint pain gets better or worse during the day, include this information in your journal. If swelling is present, note it too. Your journal should include some information about your activity and exercise. If you experience muscle soreness, poor sleeping, fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, or other problems put it in the journal. Try to write in your journal at least every other day.
Step 5
Record any daily medications, vitamins, or supplements that you take in a separate section of your journal. If you change your diet or take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory such as Ibuprofen, note by date any changes in how you feel.
Step 6
Recall if you have had any rashes, or illness. Lyme disease causes a red rash that disappears several weeks before the arthritis appears. Psoriatic arthritis produces dry scaly skin rashes and finger nailproblems. Other types of arthritis can appear after you have had a virus.
Step 7
Talk to your family. The AAOS notes that researchers believe that rheumatoid arthritis is not hereditary, but some people carry genes that make them susceptible to rheumatoid arthritis. Some other arthritic diseases are hereditary.
Step 8
Get the names, addresses, and phone numbers of any hospitals or physicians who have treated you for any serious injury or illness. If you have pictures from an arthroscopic surgery, plan to bring them to your visit. Your doctor does not need the whole chart, but he may request that you sign a records release so he can see laboratory reports, radiology reports, operative reports, history and physical and discharge summaries.
Step 9
Summarize your journal into one page. Describe what joints hurt, when they hurt, joint swelling, fevers, fatigue, and your activity. If anything makes your joints feel better or worse, describe it. Include your medications, supplements, past medical problems, and family member medical problems in your one-page summary.
Step 10
Bring your summary page, and journal to your appointment. The doctor will examine you, take X-rays and do blood tests. There are several criteria used to diagnose arthritis. Dr. John Klipple, president of the Arthritis Foundation, explains there is no single test for rheumatoid arthritis. A blood test for rheumatoid factor is positive in only 80 percent of patients. After your first appointment, your doctor may not be certain about what type of arthritis you have.
Step 11
Follow your doctor's recommendations. Continue to keep your journal so she can see what effects treatment has on your arthritis. If you decide not to take a recommended medicine or go to therapy, note why you stopped it or never started it. You need to be honest with your physician, so she can design a treatment plan that works for you. Rheumatoid arthritis is a progressive disease. It is important that your physician and you work together.
Things You'll Need
- Notebook
- Appointment with physician
