So my rheumatologist says I have a type of inflammatory arthritis just not sure which one yet. He wants me to run another round of blood tests to try and narrow it down. My pain started in my feet...couldn't hardly walk or put on shoes it hurt so bad, then my foot swole up to 3 times it's size. Doc put me on plaquenil (for one year), mobic (to prevent and reduce swelling), and also levoxy for my hypothyroidism. My question is: What exactly is inflammatory arthritis? Isn't that just the general term for any arthritis? I believe I have Rheumatoid Arthritis except my RF is negative so I am not positive of what type I really do have. Anyone help me out with this one??

Thanks,
South

Froggy- yes I believe what I have is RA. All symptoms and signs point in that direction, so it probably is too early for my RF to be seen in blood tests and things. All of this started about 2 months ago, so it is all very new to me. But with the stiffness and pain that I have had in the last few months it's definately something serious and I want to catch it before it consumes me. Since my doc has put me on plaquenil, levoxyl and mobic...my pain has reduced dramatically. I had an ANA test done and that ran positive but my RF was negative, so I am hoping that I can get this resolved soon. I just want to know!

CarolinNC- Yes, I do believe that being hypo has something to do with the inflammation and arthritis kicking in at times. I think it really just depends on how long you have been hypo and how long it has gone untreated for it to trigger the arthritis pain. Mine seemed to be anyway.

Thanks,
South