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Hello. I posted in the newbie forum, but thought I would enter my question here as well. Hope that is ok. I am a 35 yr old mom of 3 (12, 8 and 4) and I haven't been "officially" diagnosed with RA. I am not sure if my doctor is being overly cautious, or if he is just not sure. My RA factor test came back positive as well as my ANA, that is all I really know. He wants me to wait three months and do more testing. Is that normal. Oh, sorry, my symptoms (not sure if they are all related) joint pain in my feet, hands, neck, knees and especially my hips. Some days my hands are so swollen and painful I can't curl my hair or put my sons shoes on. My eyes burn a lot and I runa low grade fever off and on (and I am tired a lot** could be because of the kids**:) )
So, i guess my question is, what tests are performed to show a true positive so i can get on the way to treatment and pain free days?

Hi Schell, welcome! To answer your q, their is the anti-ccp test that is more definitive than the RF. K, I'm obviously not a doctor, but it is very surprizing to me that you'd have pain and inflammation in your joints and a positive RF and your doc would tell you to wait three months.

I wouldn't wait 3 months if I were you. I'm guessing that the doc you saw is not an rheumatologist? If not get one. If he is, get a different one.

Linncn2008-02-14 20:49:25Well...........you pretty much had the tests. And it sounds like they were pretty much positive.......

I'm sitting here wondering what the h*** your doctor is waiting for. Sorry so blunt, but I'm kinda baffled? Is this a Rheumatologist, or just your regular doctor??? If it's a Rheum.......uhhh I dunno. What's he say he's waiting for? If it's your regular doctor....well does your insurance require you to have a referral? Because if it doesn't, and I was you, I'd make a Rheumy appt and go myself! And just try to round up the bloodwork results to take with you.

No one should have to sit and *wait* after bloodwork like that. That's just crazy. Did he put you on ANYTHING?? If you're really having swelling like that, you're risking damage to the joints.

I feel like there may be more to this story than I know, so I apologize if I'm over-reacting!

Well, Katie. I guess we're in agreement here, huh?LOL good, I was thinking maybe I was a little off base with my post, but I see I'm not the only one!

schell, you deserve relief and treatment to prevent any further damage. Go hit up google, or search this site for all the info you can arm yourself with, and call your doctor back!

Thank you all for your responses and I thought the same. Yes, it is a rheumatologist and I have absolutely no idea what he is waiting for. He told me it could be a virus? I have no idea ladies. I know that I made an appointment with my doctor tomorrow (because YES the pain in my hip is so bad sometimes that I can't sleep) and I don't want to wait. Yes, the RA factor test came back positive with GP and he sent me to the rheumatologist and he did more tests which included the ANA test which also came back positive. I have to add that I am a very active almost hyper, mom and this is driving me insane. He did give me a medicne called mobic for pain, but it doesn't help very much, sorry to say.Well at least he started you on something. And to be honest, it might have worked. Mobic has a pretty good track record.

But listen, you need a new RD. That just ISN'T right at all. He's treating you the old fashioned way "work your way up" and they've done study after study and found that it doesn't work very well like that.

When you get the DX, the BEST treatment is upfront and fast! So I URGE you to get a new RD!!!!!

You know Schell, I'd go for a second opinion. If it is RA, three months is a long time to do nothing. When your joints are inflammed, that's when damage is being done.I agree with Katie and Lin.....you need another rheumy. 3 months is a long time to wait. The longer you wait, the more damage could be going on. Did you have any x-rays? If so, was there any damage? You should call the dr and tell him/her that you are not comfortable waiting 3 months. I wonder if it's because that's the next available appt.

take care

Let us know, what you decided.

Maybe you should see an ophthalmologist (eye doctor) for your eyes. As it might be Sjogren's Syndrome. Which is an inflammatory autoimmune disorder.

Dry Eye and Sjögren’s Syndrome
Millions of Americans suffer from dry eye. There are two main causes: decreased secretion of tears by the lacrimal (tear-producing) glands and loss of tears due to excess evaporation. Both can lead to ocular surface discomfort, often described as feelings of dryness, burning, a sandy/gritty sensation, or itchiness. Visual fatigue, sensitivity to light, and blurred vision are also characteristic of dry eye.

Welcome to the board, and hope to see ya around. schell,

I am staggered that your rheumy wants u to wait another 3 months - what for? so more damage can be done to your joints? Once the damage is done, it can't be undone.

Lorraine

I'm with the others on this one and am a little mystified as to why the slow action.. I am shocked he said it could be a virus. If so, there are anti-viral medications. Perhaps a trip to your primary might be in order, as I wouldn't be too quick to drop this rheumatologist, because he might be a rare diamond in this field. Welcome to the board! I agree with the others that you should see another RD. There is no reason to suffer 3 months like that, and it can take several months for the arthritis drugs to kick in. Go see another dr for a second opinion. Take care.

Laker

Hi and Welcome Schell!

Yes, some viruses can cause RA like symptoms. Parvo is one. Anyway can you pull those tests now? If I had to guess, and I'm not seeing the first page here, I'd bet your CCP was negative. It's possible he's waiting for that to 'go positive' before he'll commit to RA. Which is wrong in my book because that's what happened to me.

Inaction by my docs is why I'm now one of the gang.

Pip

Thanks to all of you who are helping me see this from your point of view, as I have very little to go on. My mother has RA as does my grand mother and my great grandmother. They are hard to pull information from though, because they are all very unclear about their disease. My mom had a stroke and is disabled, so she doesn't communicate well. I am so glad I found this site.
A virus, I could go with, if it hadn't been happening for about 7 months already and my doctor thought they were all sprains. So, you can see why I am not so quick to jump on the virus trail.
I am not sure about the CCP? He didn't mention that test, but then again, he doesn't talk or explain a lot when I am there, doesn't give me reasons for my pain,etc, just said that he would like to wait three months to see if another test came out positive (maybe the ccp). I will discuss this all with him today and my husband agrees with all of you, if I don't get some answers today, I will switch doctors. Thank you all. I will keep you posted!oh, and no, no xrays were ordered only blood tests at this point. Sprains? Were you symetrical or asymterical on the pains.

Pip

what exactly does that mean? I have heard that, but not sure. Sorry to ask dumb questionsSorry - RA is traditonally symetrical pain. Both wrists at the same time. If you were getting one knee, and then a shoulder and then a toe...that's asymetrical.

Hugs,

Pip

Schell,

Even if it was joint pain from a viral infection, it wouldn't take 3 months to run it's course. In my RD's first letter to my PCP, he said he ruled out viral possibility due to the length of time I had symptoms - it had been about 2 months.

Hmm, It generally causes my hand to be swollen and hurt and then the next day the other hand will be affected, sometimes not as severe. My feet are always at the same time and my knees are always at the same time. Although my right hip is the most painful, the left hip hurts as well, but not nearly as bad as the right. One example is one day my left thumb will be red, swollen and unable to use, and the next day it will be my right. Is it important that I tell him the pattern, as he has never asked?

Not trying to be contrary - but Parvo can take up to a year to clear.

Pip

And I think he might be looking to see if you're Palindromic RA. There is usually a bigger difference in the onset. Like months between 'attacks'.

Pip

And easily confused with 'sprains' or bursitus.

And I'll go get my tea now so I'm not typing one idea at a time.

Pip

[QUOTE=Pip!]

Not trying to be contrary - but Parvo can take up to a year to clear.

Pip

[/QUOTE]

Wow. Didn't know that. That sure wouldn't be any fun, would it?

LOL! I thought Parvo only existed in dogs. lol. I will look into that. No break in symptoms within the past six months. Pretty much wake up with stiffness every morning and once I get going for a couple hours, it will get better, unless one joint is inflamed at the time and it isn't better til usually the next day or even the next. Oh, I forgot to say that I am never hungry too. I have lost about 5 pounds in the past month because I am rarely hungry now.

Welcome Schell. I don't have alot of advice to offer, except to stay visiting these boards. Everyone here is very helpful. I'm still kinda new, and also undiagnosed at the moment. I'm hoping to have a DX soon.

I hope you can get through to your doctor soon, and get some relief.

Thanks so much Deb and all. I will keep you all posted about what the rheumatologist says today. I can't tell you all how much I appreciate your input and your support. Hi Schell...welcome!Hi!
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