new diagnosis | Arthritis Information

I have recently had positive results on both the RA and anti-CCP antibody tests. My rheumatologist tells me that I have a 90-95% probability of having RA or developing it in the future. While I have some symptoms, they don't really correspond to RA. For example, I have a painful, popping thumb - but not on both sides. I have no fevers or red spots, but I do have a few nodules. X-rays of my hands and neck show nothing. Symptoms come and go.

My doctor is monitoring my progress every three months. The plan is to redo the tests and see how the numbers stack up before beginning treatment. I have tried two NSAIDs for pain with poor results, as they bother my stomach quite a bit. I am a woman 53 years old.

Does anyone have experience with positive test results but unusual symptomology that doesn't conform to the RA norm? From my reading I get the idea that everyone is different in this regard. Can anybody recommend a pain relief/anti-inflammatory that is easier on a person's stomach? Thanks for any help.

Welcome to the board Bluehour.

My mom had stomach upset a lot from NSAIDS so she used to take Celebrex.

I tested positive for both RF and Anti-CCP as well, and guess what? My pain when all this started was migratory too! My rheumatologist said I didn't fit the pattern, but he was sure I had RA and started me on Plaquenil. It didn't take long at all for my symptoms to start showing a symmetrical pattern and once it did, he changed my official diagnosis from migratory arthritis to rheumatoid arthritis. You might also want to do some research on Palindromic Rheumatoid Arthritis. It has a migratory pattern.

I had a RF of over 600 and an anti ccp of greater than 250. I'm considered Palandromic because my pain comes and goes and is not symmetrical. It usually last 2-3 days. I've been warned that with my results, I have a very good chance of moving into RA. We have a few people here that have Palandromic RA.Real important to take the NSAID after eating. I take Mobic after dinner. Bluehair - sorry you had to find us, but glad you are here. A great group of people, who will be there for you when you need it. And don't read the political threads :) Thank you for the responses and welcome. I have already learned something, in addition to the phrase "trigger finger." I will check out palindromic RA. I know my RA results were barely above the norm, but I don't know what the anti-CCP numbers were. Frankly, after being told by my rheumatologist that he didn't think I had RA, then the next time 90-95% yes I did, I was in such shock that I didn't ask good questions before he rushed out of the room. I am giving him one more chance when I go back in January to treat me as a partner and give me the time I need, or he is getting kicked to the curb.

See, he should have told me about palindromic RA instead of me having to search it out on a discussion board. Thank you thank you.

I do take the pills with food. Do you find they take a little while to start working? I am on Mobic now and it's not doing much yet for my pain.

And finally, don't worry! I won't read anything political.

Hi Bluehour,

Welcome. I have an awful stomach and had several major stomach surgeries. NSAIDS are a problem to be sure. The only one that I can somewhat tolerate is arthrotec. It isn't the strongest, but it seems to be on I can handle. Relafen worked a lot better but I just cannot take it. So we changed to arthrotec and it helps somewhat. I am also on tramadol when needed and I have a fentanyl patch. That has kept my pain in check. The hope is to get me into remission and to be able to treat the pain with the arthrotec and the tramadol alone. We are still working towards that end. Anyway, good luck and ask as many questions as you need too. Also, arthrotec is an older, stable NSAID. It's been around for quite some time. Hiking_gal

[QUOTE=Bluehour]Hey KweenB - did Pred work for you? It made me worse and I'm beginning to suspect I'm the only person that happened to.

Blue! Hi and Welcome -

Yep, you sound Palindromic - you might consider researching probiotics here to see if you can derail this train before it turns into full blown RA. Also, get your mineral panels and see what you're low in - potassium, calcium and magnesium ususally - and supplement those too. A lot of Palindromic people have a great response to going gluten free and there is even a study that shows that. And that's a wow as there are very few studies about us. In other words, you have a great chance to stay on the low level DMARD's and not get errosions if you research your backside off.

Don't be upset about your doc not knowing about Palindromic - we are supposed to be exceedingly rare. From posting on AI, however, I'm thinking we're not that rare. Even Mayo, who had the researcher who 'discovered' Palindromic - doesn't have the facts right about us. Sigh.

Pip

Also, forgot to mention - try salsalate - asprin without the stomach irritating part,

Pip

Kweenb - no, I haven't tried prednisone yet. I am not on any medication at this point except for the pain relief and actenol for osteoporosis, a multi vitamin, C and calcium. The doc said that he didn't want to start any treatment until I started showing further signs of the disease. I have not had any crippling flares, just hip pain for a few years off and on, and new neck and jaw pain within the last year that finally drove me to my GP to ask for an RA test. Now I have these pains that come and go - ball of my foot, chest wall, and the continual neck, hips, jaw and thumb that sometimes hurt more than others.

The chest wall was a new one that lasted three days so far. It wasn't a heart attack because I could make it worse by reaching my arms to the left. Felt like a pulled muscle so could be unrelated, but it has hung on longer than the usual muscle strain.

Sorry if TMI, it's a thrill to discuss this with people who understand. I've always been able to dismiss pain, and having migrating pain I can't ignore is driving me crazy and making me feel like a complete whiner. I also worry if my lifelong aversion to taking drugs and going to the doctor before I'm half dead are going to cause me problems in treating RA. Being pro-active in treatment is not my way. I tend to wait a loooong time for something to resolve on its own.

I may need a personality transplant!

Thanks for all the info which I am noting so I can fire questions at my doc in January.