Could I have rheumatoid arthritis? I have pain in multiple joints, including wrists, elbows, knees, ankles.?

I am only 28 years old, so this is not likely due to osteoarthritis.

The joint pain seems to get worse throughout the day, although it improves with exposure to heat (e.g. hot showers, rubbing them with Icy-Hot). I am also more tired than normal, and the pain is making normal activities (working in the lab, cooking, etc.) difficult. I went to a doctor, and she decided to do various blood test, including one for rheumatoid factor (an indicator of rheumatoid arthritis), but I won't know the results for several more days.

I have already consulted various on-line sources for information, and was wondering whether anyone here has had experience with rheumatoid arthritis or similar diseases that can give me some information or insight?

I should mention that I live in California, so it is unlikely to be Lyme Disease. Thanks to everyone who is responding!

It could also be Fibromyalgia or Lupus. Lyme Disease is also a possibility, but less likely since the tell-tale tick bite (like a bull's eye target) is pretty distinctive. And it can even be hypothyroidism.

The site below has many possibilities listed. You can click on some of the illnesses in order to learn more about them. If you haven't been to WrongDiagnosis yet, it is a good place to start, since they are very thorough in listing possibilities.

I'm glad we could all help you out. Thanks for choosing my answer. You did get some quality answers here. Take care, and I hope you start feeling better soon. S. Report It

Possibly.
Another possibility is Lyme disease. Do you live in one of the areas where it is common?

start taking multivitamins it cant hurt

Go see the symptoms for yourself.

I'm not a doctor but, there are many things you can take supplemental wise please do some research, I'm sort of afraid to give you the advise fully. I can tell you this though,try asking your doctor to do a deficiency (vitamin And mineral) test......
hope that helps.

It could also be lupus. I hope not. For the last 40 years I have suffered from a migratory auto-immune "thing" whereby the pain in my joints moves from joint to joint each day and it flairs up starting at about 3:30 in the afternoon. It's never been diagnosed. For most of those years I was taking Feldene or Bextra and that resolved the problem. About 4 years ago, the meds started killing my stomach and gave me ulcers in the colon. Now I just take Tylenol. Not even close. But I have learned one thing. If I stay calm and not let life get to me, I feel much, much better than if I let stress get to me.

Good luck to you.

-MM

I'd say it's highly likely you have Lyme disease. It's misdiagnosed many times as arthritis. Since you're only 28 and you probably didn't have any traumatic injury, it's probably not some joint disease. I was about 12 when I woke up for school and my knee hurt BADLY. It was really swollen. The pain was just nausating,but it lessened as walked. I went to the ER and I explained to the doctor that I didn't fall or anything but he still thought it was "broken". He used a needle to suck out the inflammation and gave me pain medication. That same day I went to my family doctor and she said it might be Lyme disease. She ordered some tests. I got the test results like two weeks later and sure enough, it was Lyme disease. So go to the doctor and mention Lyme disease and he'll know what to do. The sooner you find out the better. (Lyme disease is harder to cure the later you find out).
Oh, and your symptoms (fatigue, joint pain) are typical of Lyme disease. If your joints are swollen, that's another sign. My knee started hurting overnight but I don't know if it happens that suddenly to everyone who gets Lyme disease. And if you live in the North, that's where most of the Lyme disease cases are.

I have RA. It started at 21 years of age when I woke up one morning with a rather hot, red looking sausage, instead of a finger and no way could I bend it. The Doc said I must have knocked it. It went down but only for the thumb to enlarge. Again Doc said I must have knocked it. After that I woke up one morning unable to lift my head off the pillow and the pain! Doc diagnosed a muscle strain. It was not until I was 29, had been driving all day, came home kicked off the high heels and noted two Big toes, did anyone consider Arthritis. I tested positive to the rheumatoid Factor but only just. Now 49 the rheumatoid Factor is somewhat HIGH, enough to raise concerns over my heart valves! With the toe I tried both hot and cold, alternating, but nothing would touch the pain and likewise could not put anything on my foot, or near the foot. Tiredness is par for the course, although if you are anxiou over the blood test results, that in itself will make you tired. Weigh-loss is also one of the problems, noticed my weight dropping at 29 and now again at 49 it is hard to keep the weight on. I did not have any problem with work or tiredness to start with and I am still very active now, no deformed joints, still walking, not running but walking, swimming, cooking, decorating mowing the lawn. I find that my joints are fine providing I do not strain them during the day, or over use them. Silly things like dusting the home, can trigger the pain, unless I remember to change direction. Of note, have you recently had a sore throat of a cold?

Yes u r likely to have rheumatoid arthritis. This artiritis stars at the age of 20-40. It usually starts in small joints as u r telling is wrist and other joints of hands and any other small joints in the body, then progresses to other joints. It affects more women than men. And a most important symptom is morning stiffness, others r- anaemia, loss of weight, fever, so check 4 these symptoms in u. Its good tat u consulted a doc and try to follow as ur doc says coz if u do not take proper care it can become worse and create prob 4 u in old age. But don't worry everything will b ok jus take care and take medicines and do regular exercises which the doc might tell u. If he doesn't ask him to let u know these exercises. GOOD LUCK!