I'm only 35yrs old and I just rcvd my blood results, I have Rheumatoid Arthritis! What can i do to control?

Should I get a 2nd opinion? I thought I had Gout because of the sysmptoms I had.. If I drank beer or ate too much meat I would get inflamtions on one of my fingers that is VERY painful. My attacks always hits one of my fingers, never all fingers, just one. I'm just confused with all this:( My Uric acid was normal by the way..

Thx for your opinions:)

get a second even third opinion.
remember doctors are also human.
just dont say to the other doctors" but the OTHER doctor said this and that and..." or else theyre ego gets in the way and they get annoyed.

stop drinking beer. stop eating meat. this is an inflammatory disease where ur body attacks itself, even the good cells. your body does not know which is which, it goes haywire.
try moving to a warmer climate. old people do that to avoid arthritis.
find a healthier lifestyle so that your body can balance itself more relieving more stress so that your immune system will maybe go back to normal.
stay away from things and people that instinctually annoy you:)

try oriental , zen approaches too.
good luck, you deserve great health.
take care of your mind and body,.

Get that second opinion. If you doctor was a general practitioner, he/she should recommend you see a specialist. RA usually gets more than one joint. It is a disease that goes for "like" joints. Meaning if your left index finger is sore and swelling then your right one usually will to.

RA will eat away at good joints thinking there is an infection that isn't there without the aid of drugs to control white blood cells. A rhumatologist can help decide which drugs to try first. Not all drugs work with everyone, it takes time to find the right one. It could be a combination of several drugs until you find the right one for you.

Bottom line, see a specialist. They can help. If you try to fight this by yourself you will lose. I know, I tried and I consider myself a big boy. Even if you manage the pain, the damage to your joints will continue and destroy good joints that will never recover.

Have you been to a Rheumatologist for a second opinion or was this a diagnosis from your general practitioner? If you are not seeing a Rheumtologist then you should see one for a second opinion. I do have a friend who had similar symptoms as you, but it was her wrist that would get swollen. She was diagnosed with RA and her father has it as well.

I would talk to your doctor and maybe get a second opinion.

If your uric acid was normal, then you wouldn't have gout.
Gout is an accumulation of uric acid.

It sounds more like RA to me.

Practice good body posture, and lift heavy items with your hip muscles, not your back. Never carry something if you can pull it behind you.

talk to your doctor.