A week ago today my doctor took a few tubes of blood (an art in itself as I
am a very hard stick - tiny, wiggly veins that seem to work then blow, or
the flow begins and then coagulates.  I _hate_ that.)  He was testing sed
rate, rh factor, plus a full cbc workup and a few other things to make sure
another underlying illness wasn't at work.

At the time I was in pain all over - much like a full body whiplash, but in
the joints, after a car crash.  My hands were the visual _proof_ to make him
lend toward RA.  I had been in with my hands puffy the week before.

How long does it generally take for the tests to come back?  I may need
another cortisone injection if I do not hear by Friday to make it through
the weekend.  The doctor suggested he would do this while waiting on the
results.  Depending, if it is RA for sure or most likely, he will try
cortisone if the flares are few and far between.  Anything other and it is
off to the Rheumatologist I go.  My doctor is an excellent diagnostician,
unbelievable - and a personality to boot!

So, any guidance on when I might know something?

MB