Comments on: Blood Tests for Rheumatoid Arthritis, part 2 http://rawarrior.com/blood-tests-for-rheumatoid-arthritis-part-2/ Bringing information & encouragement to fight RA Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:28:38 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Kelly Young http://rawarrior.com/blood-tests-for-rheumatoid-arthritis-part-2/comment-page-1/#comment-170429 Kelly Young Fri, 27 Jan 2012 13:35:34 +0000 http://rawarrior.com/blood-tests-for-rheumatoid-arthritis-part-2/#comment-170429 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. 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 http://rawarrior.com/blood-tests-for-rheumatoid-arthritis-part-2/comment-page-1/#comment-170389 Mona Fri, 27 Jan 2012 12:08:00 +0000 http://rawarrior.com/blood-tests-for-rheumatoid-arthritis-part-2/#comment-170389 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!! 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 http://rawarrior.com/blood-tests-for-rheumatoid-arthritis-part-2/comment-page-1/#comment-170088 Kate Mauceri Thu, 26 Jan 2012 20:22:36 +0000 http://rawarrior.com/blood-tests-for-rheumatoid-arthritis-part-2/#comment-170088 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". 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 http://rawarrior.com/blood-tests-for-rheumatoid-arthritis-part-2/comment-page-1/#comment-106166 Margie Fri, 28 Oct 2011 06:44:42 +0000 http://rawarrior.com/blood-tests-for-rheumatoid-arthritis-part-2/#comment-106166 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? 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 http://rawarrior.com/blood-tests-for-rheumatoid-arthritis-part-2/comment-page-1/#comment-95424 Kelly Young Wed, 28 Sep 2011 14:15:22 +0000 http://rawarrior.com/blood-tests-for-rheumatoid-arthritis-part-2/#comment-95424 That sentence should be banned!! I hear it all the time from patients. It is nonsense. Good luck to you Bob. That sentence should be banned!! I hear it all the time from patients. It is nonsense. Good luck to you Bob.

]]> By: Bob West http://rawarrior.com/blood-tests-for-rheumatoid-arthritis-part-2/comment-page-1/#comment-94933 Bob West Mon, 26 Sep 2011 12:35:42 +0000 http://rawarrior.com/blood-tests-for-rheumatoid-arthritis-part-2/#comment-94933 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. 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 http://rawarrior.com/blood-tests-for-rheumatoid-arthritis-part-2/comment-page-1/#comment-65967 Mary Sat, 07 May 2011 04:43:10 +0000 http://rawarrior.com/blood-tests-for-rheumatoid-arthritis-part-2/#comment-65967 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! 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 http://rawarrior.com/blood-tests-for-rheumatoid-arthritis-part-2/comment-page-1/#comment-64334 Kelly Young Sat, 23 Apr 2011 18:48:59 +0000 http://rawarrior.com/blood-tests-for-rheumatoid-arthritis-part-2/#comment-64334 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... 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…

]]> By: Candi Nelson http://rawarrior.com/blood-tests-for-rheumatoid-arthritis-part-2/comment-page-1/#comment-64332 Candi Nelson Sat, 23 Apr 2011 18:14:39 +0000 http://rawarrior.com/blood-tests-for-rheumatoid-arthritis-part-2/#comment-64332 Hi, I have RA (& Fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, borderline diabetes, high blood pressure). Blood tests have come back mostly normal, except for the CCP-AB, which dr. says proves I have RA (besides all the pain symptoms). Rheumatologist & Primary Dr have taken me out of work on Permanent disability. I have been fighting my company disability insurance for payments. They say that I have a minor level of RA & should go back to work- I am a preschool teacher of 3 yr olds. I walk slow (with a cane), can't bend well, should not be on my feet all day, can't take kids swimming, lift 3-4yr old kids to changing table, etc. They say to go back to work & pain reported is subjective, even dr reports are subjective- only the tests are objective. Now I have to keep fighting. Primary dr office said my knee xrays show minor osteoarthritis& I should not be in pain-BUT why do my knees hurt so much? It is not fair that I can spend almost all of my 55 years in pain & no one believes me. Hi, I have RA (& Fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, borderline diabetes, high blood pressure). Blood tests have come back mostly normal, except for the CCP-AB, which dr. says proves I have RA (besides all the pain symptoms). Rheumatologist & Primary Dr have taken me out of work on Permanent disability. I have been fighting my company disability insurance for payments. They say that I have a minor level of RA & should go back to work- I am a preschool teacher of 3 yr olds. I walk slow (with a cane), can’t bend well, should not be on my feet all day, can’t take kids swimming, lift 3-4yr old kids to changing table, etc. They say to go back to work & pain reported is subjective, even dr reports are subjective- only the tests are objective. Now I have to keep fighting.
Primary dr office said my knee xrays show minor osteoarthritis& I should not be in pain-BUT why do my knees hurt so much? It is not fair that I can spend almost all of my 55 years in pain & no one believes me.

]]> By: Kelly Young http://rawarrior.com/blood-tests-for-rheumatoid-arthritis-part-2/comment-page-1/#comment-53370 Kelly Young Wed, 02 Feb 2011 13:23:41 +0000 http://rawarrior.com/blood-tests-for-rheumatoid-arthritis-part-2/#comment-53370 Thanks, Peg. I hope you are well enough soon for treatment. We just need to use a better tests - the patients shouldn't have to feel like that. Thanks, Peg. I hope you are well enough soon for treatment. We just need to use a better tests – the patients shouldn’t have to feel like that.

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