Comments on: Blood Tests for Rheumatoid Arthritis, part 2

By: Theresa

Theresa — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 16:31:26 +0000

Firstly, thank you Kelly! This site has been a source of information and comfort since I stumbled upon it a few weeks ago. I just started the diagnostic process. A few weeks ago, I went to my primary care doc for fatigue and pain/stiffness in my hands and fingers that started in early January. Her first thought was RA, and she ordered RF and CRP tests. Both came back negative. Since seeing her, I feel like my body is completely rebelling. The day I had the blood work done, the elbow of the arm where they drew the blood became intensely painful. After that subsided, the pain started moving from my hands up my arms – wrists, then elbows, then shoulders. I had one weekend where I had sharp, stabbing pain in both knees that only lasted an hour. And a few days ago, while sitting at my desk at work, my left shoulder became so incredibly painful that I couldn’t lift my arm. When I woke up the next morning, it was like nothing had ever happened. The day that my shoulder incident occurred was the same day I got my negative test results. I thought I was going crazy. I have a follow-up with my doc in a few weeks (she insisted that I have one, because if my tests were positive we needed to discuss a game plan, and if they were negative we needed to keep looking), so I’m not yet sure if her response will be to investigate RA further, or to explore other avenues.
But thanks again for the wonderful site! It will hopefully keep me sane during the diagnostic merry-go-round!

By: Hedds

Hedds — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 18:04:31 +0000

Hi, sat here in UK with stiff fingers and sore warm elbows and shoulders, seen the rheumatologist once already, negative RA factor and other bloods negative as well. Ultra sound scans of hands normal. Been told I have a virus which mimics RA symptoms. Now been given naproxen for pain and inflammation . Told symptoms will disappear after few months at most. It has been 6 months since started with pain in feet when getting out of bed in the morning or getting up from sitting. Then pain in two fingers on r hand. I am 39 and have family history of osteo (mum) rheumatoid ( aunties on both sides) gout ( brother and dad) . Feel as if energy being sucked out of me most days, especially late afternoon. Sorry to moan but feel as if being treated as a winge by the medical profession.
Thanks for the site. It’s brilliant!!!

By: Kelly Young

Kelly Young — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 13:35:34 +0000

I’d love to hear how it goes for you Mona. The most conclusive test is the anti-CCP, so ask him what your results were for that. It’s still possible that it would be negative also, at least for the first couple of years.
It’s hard to imagine with your presentation and an elevated Rf that it was “inconclusive for RA.” RA diagnosis is still subjective, and a decision by the doctor. Diagnosis is mostly by visible symptoms which becomes more tricky when you are taking prednisone and a dmard (plaq) which can suppress your syymptoms at least partially.
There are several articles here about diagnosis if you want to read more. There is one on the main menu and then a list on the Tags List of topics at the top right of the page.

By: Mona

Mona — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 12:08:00 +0000

I have been reading and following your site since stumbling upon it last December. This, after a friend with severe RA suspected I had it, too. Following onset of multiple symptoms in October-November, my first visit to the rheumatologist was neither positive nor negative, which I suspected (let’s run some tests & see what we can find and try some steroid treatment in the meantime). Well, the steroids were a God-send, the test results were iffy. Positive RA factor, positive CNA, but low SED rate and low CRP. So, inconclusive for RA, in spite of pain in more than 8 symmetrical joints (higher than 5 on that terrible 1-10 pain scale), morning stiffness, unable to walk somedays, swelling in ankles and knees and response only to steroidal treatment. Now, 4 months later, I’m on my 2nd round of steroids, Plaquenil, and headed back to the rheumy next week with this article in hand! Thank you!!

By: Kate Mauceri

Kate Mauceri — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 20:22:36 +0000

To all of my fellow RAer’s…I truly feel your pain. i for one have suffered with RA since 2005. That is when it was diagnosed, but in hindsight I had suffered with it for many years prior. I, not being one to complain, just brushed off the complaints that went misdiagnosed for many years. Although I was given the diagnosis, I have NEVER had an abnormal blood result. For someone who is fighting with a disease that is not “believed, understood or given any credibility” it is REALLY hard to sound credible if “the blood work isn’t even credible”. I have fought this hard war all these years of not being believed by family, friends, coworkers…thank God I have a wonderful Rhuematologist who believes me!! He doesn’t even bother to draw blood work anymore…what for! The one reason that people are now “starting” to believe me is because I am starting to have skeletal changes to my hands. Even with that, they STILL want to think it is “just arthritis”…”look my knuckles are big too”. I just smile and nod. I have learned that this is a war that I will fight with my fellow warriers, my loving partner and my caring Rhuematologist who will leave no medication stone unturned. I felt so alone for so long that my “numbers” weren’t plausible, but now I just smile and know that I am “more normal than not”.

By: Margie

Margie — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 06:44:42 +0000

I have RA and Fibromylagia, and no matter how severe the RA was I don’t remember ever any elevated inflammatory markers and I’m seronegative. I have a brandnew rheumatologist and he thinks the RA isn’t active if these are negative, but I see that is not true! Why do some of them think this true and others know to look at the clinical presentation more than bloodwork?

By: Kelly Young

Kelly Young — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 14:15:22 +0000

That sentence should be banned!! I hear it all the time from patients. It is nonsense. Good luck to you Bob.

By: Bob West

Bob West — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 12:35:42 +0000

Thanks, I think that is an outstanding tool when my Rheumy says “all your blood work is good so your pain is not from RA” She will get an ear full from me. I am sure most of us has heard that on more then one occasion. My previous Rheumy told me I had the flu and should see my family doctor when I went to him about my pain.Thank you that information is very good as is all your articles.

By: Mary

Mary — Sat, 07 May 2011 04:43:10 +0000

Thank you so much for this post!

I’m 21 and have symptoms that seem to fit in with RA or MCTD. My GP was convinced it was RA. She ran CRP- normal, ANA- positive, speckled 1.80. My doctor said well if your CRP is normal you don’t have RA.. Well when I saw your post above I wanted to scream!

I’ve since had my RF tested, which is also normal. And my ANA is still weakly positive.

My fingers wont straighten or make a fist. They’re swollen and sore and so are my knees. I’m now waiting to see a rheumatologist now.. Not what a 21 year old should have to worry about, not what ANYONE should have to worry about!

By: Kelly Young

Kelly Young — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 18:48:59 +0000

You’re right it’s not fair. It won’t ever be fair, but I hope we can increase awareness of RA so that insurance (or medicare or national health services) can’t run us over that way, saying pain is “just” subjective. There is no way to “prove” pain and yet it’s believed with migraines or plantar fasciitis or backaches…