So happy I could cry | Arthritis Information

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I finally found a Dr who cares. He thinks I definitely have an autoimmune disease, he was shocked that the Rheumatologist did not run any tests or do a physical exam. He did an HLA-B27 blood test on me to see if I have that and also ran my SED rate and CRP again. He did not run another RF test, but he is leaning toward sero-negative RA or Lupus (both run in my family). He put me on Prednisone and said if it helps he will give a preliminary Dx. I go back in 3 weeks (the end of the Prednisone scrip). They will call with my blood test results as soon as they come in. I finally have hope, and that's all I ever wanted. I am just going to try and stay positive, and pray that the Pred helps. He said if the HLA-B27 comes back positive he will refer me to the Rheumatology center at UAB.

Congrats - the amount of garbage we have to go thru to get taken seriously is amazing.

Hugs,
 
Pip
Oh he also said if the Rheumatologist had done a physical exam he would have seen how stiff and swollen I was and not have just told me to lose weight and exercise.  So happy for you!!!!!Morning Jenn, what a relief for you....this has been a real battle for you but you've presevered.  Your new RD did and said all the right things for you.  I sure hope that you respond to the Pred. because then he can be sure that there's an arthritic condition that you're dealing with.  Lindyyeah!! finally...hopefully the pred will kick in soon and you will begin to feel better quickly
It's so sad that we have to celebrate finding a caring doctor!
 
What is a HLA-B27 test?
To determine whether you have human leukocyte antigen B27 (HLA-B27) on the surface of your cells; to help assess the likelihood that you have an autoimmune disorder associated with the presence of HLA-B27

When to get tested?
When you have symptoms of chronic inflammation, pain, and stiffness in certain areas of your body, such as your back, neck, and chest, or eyes.

Sample required?
A blood sample drawn from a vein in your arm

This test detects the presence or absence of human leukocyte antigen B27 (HLA-B27) on the surface of white blood cells in a blood sample. Human leukocyte antigens (HLA) are a group of proteins that help the body’s immune system to identify its own cells and to distinguish between “self” and “nonself.” Everyone has an inherited combination of HLA antigens present on the surface of his or her white blood cells (leukocytes) and other nucleated (containing a nucleus) cells. These HLA antigens are divided into types: Class I (A, B, C) and Class II (DR, DP, DQ). While not as unique as a fingerprint, the presence or absence of each antigen creates a distinctive HLA combination for each person.

HLA-B27 is found in about 5-10% of the U.S. population. Its presence has been associated with several autoimmune disorders. The most common of these disorders is ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Approximately 90% of patients with AS are positive for HLA-B27. Other disorders that have an association with the presence of HLA-B27 include:

  • Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA), in which about 80% of affected patients are positive for HLA-B27.
  • Reiter’s syndrome (also known as reactive arthritis), with about 50-80% of patients are positive.
  • Isolated acute anterior uveitis, with about 40-70% of cases are positive.

    • HLA-B27 may also be present in patients with inflammatory bowel disease and with a range of other chronic conditions. While HLA-B27 has not been established as a cause of these disorders, there is a higher prevalence of this antigen in those affected.

    Thanks-I'm not sure if I ever had that test done.  The standard ones were definitive (RF, CCP, CRP), so maybe I didn't.  I'm going to look though.So happy for you!Yay!!!!  Good for u Congratulations - sorry it took so long, but glad to hear you finally found a Dr. you can trust.   They frequently do that test for ankylosing spondylitis. Do you have back pain? Ankle pain? In addition to other joints? In women it can be less spine, move to large joints like hips/shoulder, then to ankles.

    They believe many of the sero negatives are really another type of inflammatory arthritis like AS or PsA or maybe others not even classified yet. So if you have all the symptoms but are sero negative they are now doing that gene test. Unfortunately, 20% of the general population has the gene and no disease. Recently they discovered two more genes related to the Spondy family of inflammatory arthritits's. They were just discovered though and there is no test yet.

    Sorry, you suffered so I hope now you will have relief. I pray for the day they have firm tests for all diseases. It looks like they will be all gene related--proving that genetics plays a role in our diseases.

    I do have shoulder and upper back pain, and ankle pain, but I have bad ankles from a horrible sprain about 10 years ago.   I am also sero-negative. I am not 100% sure why they did the test but if it gets me a dx I will do just about anything they ask me to. 

    WTG! I am happy for you too!

    This is excellent news! Good for you.That's good news.  I know when I started prednisone I felt better.  Good luck to you, Hiking_galI am so happy that you found a doctor who listened to you! I am seeing my 3rd RD tomorrow and hope for results like yours. Glad to hear it! Hope the pred works good for you.
     
    Will you be coming to Alabama to UAB? or they got a place in MS?
     
     
    No I'll be going to Birmingham AL, if he refers me. I am from Huntsville originally so familiar with the area. I drive through there to go home from here. 
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