I am diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis and my hands are crumpling

See a different PCP.

My primary gave me stuff until I could se my rheumy. He was great !

my PMD gave me prednisone while I waited to see rheumatology

Are you waiting for diagnosis or where you already dıagnosed with ra?

My primary doctor was the one who diagnosed me with RA and started me on plaquinil and then referred me to a rheumatologist.

Primary can prescribe something. Mine put me on a low dose of prednisone until I saw the rheum. And she’s a naturopath! Also, make sure you’re taking turmeric.

Try a different pcp and see if they can put you on prednisone that’s what mine did helped immediately

We say this so often but every "body" is different and until you can see a Rheumatologist... So for me, meditation for pain, along with turmeric for inflammation if you want to go the natural route. Pay attention to your triggers for flares and don't stress. I have been at this for a very, very long time. If someone had given me that advice years ago, I would not have half the problems I have now that were caused by the prescription medications.

Find another primary doc !! One should never refuse you meds it’s ur body not his your pain claim that !!

My mother and I are having the same problem. It's so hard to find new doctors because many don't take new patients or are booked for several months.

Find a new primary care doc. No way should they refuse to treat you. If you can't get into another primary quickly, you can go to urgent care, they will at the very least give you prednisone to get you through. People tend to rule out urgent care centers for stuff like this, but I've had really good treatment with them. Especially if it's affiliated wirh a major hospital. It was an urgent care doc that first caught my Lupus (later diagnosed with RA and Lupus) when I was on vacation camping and thought I had a kidney stone.
Good luck! I hope you find some relief soon!!

waiting is no good _my dr delayed tests and referring me and by then there was bone damage. İ wrote a letter of complaint to her

I am purposely not going back to the doc while trying gluten free and supplements as well! For me, that combo has greatly reduced the inflammation. Supplements include zyflamend, super B complex, fish oil, probiotic, and a prescription vitD. I watched lots of videos of people going through this disease and took note of the things that worked for the majority then implemented them. So far, so good! I will go back to my rheumatologist at some point when/if the symptoms are not manageable with this regimen!

Find a different primary how insensitive

I'm pretty concerned and thinking I at least need to go on a steroid for a little while... My hands are starting to "crumple."

ask for GP for further blood tests for RH factor and inflammatory markers. When my GP did that he made an urgent appt with Rhuematology. İn the meantime you can talk to him about prednisone and ask for furthe r x rays -what area are you in? Are you able to go to another 24 hour Drs service

Look for another primary doctor, just to get on something. Don’t wait!

Well sheesh... I called my primary back, and he called me personally (instead of going through receptionist)...and said he was fine starting me on a low dose of prednison. Guess I'll ask for him personally from now on. I do want to do this naturally, but right now I need something to give me a boost... My hands are crippling as we speak and are in a LOT of pain... As well as my shoulders being in a lot of pain. (yikes)

Now is the time to start experimenting with herbals and supplements. And there are sprays and creams for pain. I used and still do use Painstop. Sombra is a cream.

Get a DNA test from 23andme. If you can figure out which gene(s) causes your RA there may be natural methods you can use until you can get treatment. Others who have learned how to manage symptoms can usually help with suggestions if you describe exactly how your symptoms feel.