Does anyone have any info on the statistics related to negative blood tests and RA? My mom was Dx'd with JRA over 50yrs ago and has tested both negative and positive. I have been having pain and symptoms for 10years with 3 different neg. lab results; I finally got a Doc willing to investigate further with x-rays and (big suprise) I had abnormal findings on the films suggestive of RA. I am going for a Bone Density test and MRI on Friday. I am taking 10mg Prednisone ea. AM and 650 of ASA every 6 hours. I feel like I have one foot in the grave and I havent been able to work for almost 2 weeks. It is really sad that I could'nt get answers sooner. Well I hope someone out there has some advice for me! Thank You!!Hi Crunchy. I am new to all of this, however, I have read that a diagnosis of RA is not just based on bloodwork. Some are always negative, some will be negative and then turn positive, and some will be positive from the start. This is why they diagnose RA based on all of your syptoms.I think everyone is different. My bloodwork is positive, but my symptoms don't sound half as bad as yours. Odd, isn't it? I hope you get an answer and feel better soon! Hang in there, and try to stay positive. SuzqCrunchy, Hi, I'm new here. My RF is 70.7, CRP is 28 but my CCP is 2
Hi Crunchy: (Sounds like I'm talking to my knees since that's the sound they make). I was diagnosed 4 months ago with RA but have always been negative in blood tests. I think thats why no one twigged earlier that I actually had RA. I was diagnosed with OA about 6 years ago and had all the symptoms (both knees, redness, swelling, heat +++) I had 4 surgeons and 2 rheumatologists. All said my blood was negative so I didn't have RA. Last October my new GP sent me to a new rheumatologist who did my bloods and told me that 20-30% of people with RA have negative blood results. An MRI confirmed RA in my left wrist and now my right wrist has started up too. I have had both my knees replaced (3 and 4 years ago). Maybe if I had been diagnosed earlier I might not have lost my knees. Now I'm on the right treatment I hope my wrists will settle down and things will start looking up. At least now you have someone willing to go the extra mile. Hope you get some good news, and the right treatment. Pam Feeling nostalgic...I decided to dig...here is my very first post on AI...my how I've grown...and my disease too..... I didn't notice the date on this until just now. I was thinking "Crunch, aren't you further along in this process by now?" Guess that explains it. For those new to all this though; my blood work has always been negative for RA. The only thing "Blood Wise" that's strange is my SEDSrate which is the test for inflammation. It's often elevated. My x-rays as well as MRI's show "Obvious changes consistant with RA" they tell me. Over the years the changes have increased desite medication; but it's my understanding that they could be much worse. Considering I'm in such good condition after all these years I tend to agree. I do find it slightly strange Crunch that after more than 10 years they don't see any changes on your x-rays. Guess that's a good thing though.
which is normal. I figured that the CCP would be abnormal too so I'm not
sure if this means I don't have it based on normal CCP. I don't have
severe symptoms and the only symmetricl joints involved are my ankle
and feet...the other joints are just scattered and random. I don't think I've
read two situations that are even similar, lol. I find out on March 7th if I
have it and am nervous and hoping I don't. I just hope they find a cure
for this horrible disease. Good luck with your tests.
Copyright ArthritisInsight.com