Question re: Rheumatoid art..

50, female,diagnosed 3 yrs. ago after a viral illness and a cat bite that didn't break the skin, left a pale mark for 2 days. Have gen. joint pains, bad at times. Was on Methotrexate 1 1/2 yrs. Had faint scattered prickly feelings at times, usually when pain worse, mostly in legs. Now they have increased and are all over. They're still scattered and last seconds and are stronger feeling , even on my face, worse when sitting.Dr. was vague about my concern. They are not present all the time. When my pains are bad I have node aches under both arms and right pelvic area, feel chilled, have dry eyes and mouth. New Dr. says it is Osteoarthrits, not RA. Tests sero-negative. I still worry it could be some weird disease from the cat. I did take antibiotics for 1 month after that virus and bite. What could the prickles be from?

It is not related to osteo-arthritis, because it is degenerative. not viral, probably it is another type of arthritedes, but not RA. OA.

You took antibiotics for a virus?

Doesnt sound like RA or OA.

Diabetes? MS?

If the cat bite didn't even break the skin you're getting worried over nothing. How could anything from that have gotten into your bloodstream?

As for the rest, at your age & if your lifestyle is more sedentry than active, it probably is osteo, not rheumatoid arthritis. The prickles are usually from poor circulation, although you could also have fibromyalgia.