Was anyone diagnosed this way? | Arthritis Information

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None of my tests came back positive except Anti-ANA at 1640.   All the standard testing for any of the autoimmune diseases all came back negative.

I started in a flare in November, and my RD took fluid from my knee and whisked it away to his microscope.  When he returned he said: We have a diagnosis!!! And proceeded to tell me how he aggressively treats (aka, MTX)

I'm curious if anyone else has been diagnosed in this manner.  Thanks.
Not that way specifically. But none of my blood work came back positive either, however that's pretty common with JRAers. A girlfriend of mine is also sero-negative (rheumatoid factor negative).  After fluid was taken off her knee she was sent to an RD who diagnosed her after doing tests to rule out other stuff (not sure what). Hi Babs

Here's a link to check out.
http://arthritis.webmd.com/antinuclear-antibodies-ana
From my brief read, ANA results are measured in titres with a normal reading being 1:40. Your ANA result is probably 16:40 which indicates that your body is producing antibodies as a reaction to some autoimmune problem. That was probably the big indicator for your RD to begin treatment. 
[QUOTE=Punkie]Hi Babs I've read that there is something (cells? debris? my missing socks???) in the joint fluid that can be seen under a microscope in active RA.  I'll try to remember what it was.

Before I was dx'd, fluid was taken from my very swollen knee.  Whatever they saw in it made them believe I have RA.  I don't remember it really well, but it seems to me like they said something about a really high white blood cell count even though their was no infection.  Does that sound right?

funny JasmineRain... I guess that's where all my missing socks went 
 
Linncn:  RD did say there was an abundance of white cells.  I wish I had asked him more at the time.. Maybe in April when I see him again.
 
Thanks for your replies...they have really helped me understand!!
Jasmine with RA I think the WBC is elevated in the synovial fluid. Sometimes it's two fold or higher and macrophages are present. Rx2Heal2008-03-22 18:47:17
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