New and scared | Arthritis Information

 

My name is Martina and i live in British Columbia Canada, i am 30.

Hi Martina and "Rheumatoid Factor. In RA, antibodies that collect in the synovium of the joint are known as rheumatoid factor. In about 80% of cases of RA, blood tests reveal rheumatoid factor. It can also show up in blood tests of people with other diseases. However, when it appears in patients with arthritic pain on both sides of the body, it is a strong indicator of type 2 RA. The presence of rheumatoid factor plus evidence of bone damage on x-rays also suggests a significant chance for progressive joint damage.

Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate Test. An erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR or sed rate) measures how fast red blood cells (erythrocytes) fall to the bottom of a fine glass tube that is filled with the patient's blood. The higher the sed rate the greater the inflammation. In addition to rheumatoid arthritis, the sed rate can be high in many conditions ranging from infection to inflammation to tumors. The test is used, then, not for diagnosis, but to help determine how serious the condition is.

C-Reactive Protein. High levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) are also indicators of active inflammation."

If you show a RF you are called seropositive and if you don't seronegative. The other main indications of RA are show through your ESR and C-Reactive Protein levels in a blood test.

There is a lot of take in at the beginning. Try not to get too anxious or jump ahead of yourself. One step at a time here.

As for what RA is: it's this -

What it is:

Rheumatoid arthritis is a condition that causes inflammation of joints and associated pain, swelling, and stiffness. Rheumatoid arthritis causes the body's own immune system to attack joint tissue, breaking down collagen, cartilage, and sometimes bone or other organs. This chronic disease varies between people and fluctuates over time, often marked by symptoms that improve only to re-emerge later. In some cases rheumatoid arthritis is mild and lasts only a few months (this kind of rheumatoid arthritis is called type 1), while in others the disease becomes progressively complicated by disability and other health problems, lasting many years (this is called type 2 rheumatoid arthritis).

Rheumatoid arthritis most often affects the wrist and finger joints closest to the hand, but can also affect joints in the feet and throughout the body. Anyone can be affected by rheumatoid arthritis, but women are more likely to develop symptoms, which most often begin between the ages of 20 and 30. The causes of rheumatoid arthritis are not yet understood, but many effective strategies have been developed to manage its symptoms.

It is scary, when they say you might have RA. Try and learn as much as you can but don't overwhelm yourself either. When you see the rheumatologist, they will explain more and maybe you will get a definitive diagnosis too.

Deep breaths and try and keep relaxed until you see the rheumy, not much more you can do until then and they decide what it going on.

It means you have an elevated RF factor!  Not trying to be mean - just saying, it takes a lot of confirmation to get a diagnosis.  How do you know it's RA and not Lupus? thank you so much for posting this for me No problem, Martina. As any questions you need. You can also PM, private message, any of us and ask questions. No question is too stupid. We are definitely happy to answer. Knowledge is power with this disease and makes you feel less scared.  Oh, Martina, from what I understand a slightly elevated RF doesn't always mean you have RA either. So don't jump ahead of yourself before you have a definitive dx (diagnosis) as there may be something else going on.

And the rheumatologist will probably give you an extensive physical and order quite a few tests. It can take a few months to dx a rheumatic disease. Sometimes they have to do tests to eliminate things, so it is a bit of a patient process. My first RD appointment took about an hour. And it took two months with extensive testing to dx me properly.
Hey Martina, I don't have anything to add really.  Just wanted to welcome you.  And as Cordy said, ask anything.  Most likely someone here knows the answer.okay good to know thanks for posting this