Please check the following to read about RA:

http://www.arthritis.co.za/ra.html

Pay particular attention to the diagnostic criteria:

MORNING STIFFNESS greater than 1 HOUR
SOFT TISSUE SWELLING IN A HAND JOINT
SOFT TISSUE SWELLING in 3 out of 14 joint GROUPS
PIP'S, MCP'S, WRISTS, ELBOWS, KNEES, ANKLES, MTP’s
SYMMETRICAL SWELLING IN ONE JOINT AREA
RHEUMATOID NODULE
RHEUMATOID FACTOR
RADIOGRAPHIC CHANGES IN THE WRIST OR HANDS. (POROSIS / EROSION)

This does NOT have to mean that therapy should not be commenced until
all criteria are present, as they can develop over time. A strong
suspicion for the diagnosis is sufficient with a diagnosis of probable
RA.

    Rose   @}>->--
    Being educated means that rather than fearing the unknown, one seeks to understand it. RB

    Please remove "Ima" to reply.

This, I saw as my problem.

I began with serious hand problems and pains and now have "mushy" finger
tips - nothing was done to properly and seriously diagnose exactly what was
giving me so much discomfort.  Now, I'm told it's psoriatic, but the fingers
continue to worse and the progression is fast.

Please, push anyone and everyone to give you serious attention to stop this
problem, not to just adjust to living with it, as I did.

Hiker