Question
I have suffered with extreme fatique most of my adult life. It is an effort to fix a meal, grocery shop, etc... At 52 I developed swelling, redness, and pain in my right forefinger joint. I also developed pain in my left thumb/forefinger. My doctor says its osteoarthritis, but after reading about them both,I think it may be rheumatoid arthritis. Just recently, my left forefinger joint just seemed to pop out; redness, swelling, pain.At times my affected fingers look like sausages.
May I have your opinion? Also, in reference to the fatigue, do you think it could be a symptom of RA and could have been causing my extreme fatigue for years without any other RA symptoms?
Thank you, Susan
PS I forgot to mention my forefingers are now crooked.

Answer
Dear Susan,   This does NOT sound like osteoarthritis... This sound more like Rheumatoid Arthritis....  You need to find a Rheumatologist who will do the appropriate blood work (RF blood test) and other blood work to see if you RA or possibly another autoimmune disease.....

Thank you,   karen