All the symptoms but negative b/w? Please help! | Arthritis Information

 

Hi, my name is Katie and I am 25 years old. For the last 4 weeks I have been having severe joint pain, muscle pain, and swelling in my fingers and one knee cap. It started in my upper body joints for the first 2 weeks, and moved down to my hips, knees, ankles and toes during the last 2 weeks. I have also been running a very low grade fever (my temps are normally in the 97's, now they are in the upper 98's). I've been very weak and tired as well. I have 3 children under 5, and I can hardly change a diaper without extreme discomfort and pain. I limp because my ankles and toes hurt so much, I cannot bend down because of my swollen knee, I struggle to lift my baby because my shoulders, elbows and wrists are so inflamed. My muscles hurt too, especially at night when the kids are in bed and I have been sitting for too long.

So anyway, I went to the doctor a week ago and they did blood work. The Doctor thought it was RA, so she ordered a test (not sure what it was). They called me a few days ago and said it was negative for RA factor but positive for inflammation. My test did say I was anemic as well, which I have read can also be a sign of RA. Is it possible to still have RA even though the test was negative for it? This is the first flare up I have ever had, this flare up started when I went through something extremely emotionally stressful last month. I feel like I need to keep pursuing this even though the doc says I don't have RA because of the blood test. I am in so much pain, I couldn't even sign a store receipt today because of the chronic swelling in my right hand fingers.

Any advice would be much appreciated!

eta: I also have painless, swollen lymph nodes all over as well (and have for a year). I have read those can be signs too, not sure how common that is. My CT scan was negative for cancer and the doctors could not explain the swelling in my nodes either (anti-biotics did not make them go down, they continued to painlessly grow.)KatieMatie2010-03-17 21:28:39Go see a rheumatologist.  The various blood tests are not 100% accurate to prove or exclude a diagnosis of rheumatioid arthritis. Thank you Jasmine! I won't be able to get a referral for at least a month since we are moving in a couple weeks (hubby is military.) If I do in fact have RA, will the tests show it despite the flare up being over? Well, if it is in fact over, at this point I just feel like I am destined to move at the pace of a 90 year old lady forever, lol. yes it is possible to have are and have negative test results. I am negative a rheumatoligist is the person that can tell you.20% or more of the people with rheumatoid arthritis are RA-factor negative. Do as the others said and get evaluated by a rheumatologist.Hi Katie.  I too have the symptoms with negative bloodwork.  In fact, I have had two GP's tell me that they thought I had RA, but changed their minds after seeing the test results.  After GP #2, I decided to request a referral and am currently waiting to see the RD in about a week.  I have read posts on several boards and blogs from people who are diagnosed with RA but who have nothing major showing in their bloodwork . . . so please go to the RD!  GP's really have no clue about this disease beyond what they see on a lab report, but a specialist will (or should!) have seen this a hundred times over and will do more extensive testing to get a correct diagnosis.  Whatever the problem is, there is DEFINITELY a problem, and you need to find out what it is SOON!!  Best of luck to you!  Thank you everyone! I too am RA negative, (also negative for inflammation) but my anti-CCP is well over 200. This test is known only to my rheumatologist (my family doc had never heard of it). If you do have RA, it could have been brought on my stress for sure. You also say you have 3 kids under 5? That's stressful day to day living!
I got treatment within 3 months of symptoms, and it took almost a year of agressive treatment to get me into a good place. Now I take much less and still function very well.
Good luck, and take care!
Hey Katie... can I ask where you are moving?  The only reason I ask is because my husband is military as well.  I know the chances are slim, but it would be so exciting if you were moving to NC!!  I don't have any military wife/RA friends!  Plus, I could tell you about the Rheumy I go to out here!

Anyways... So sorry to hear about what you're going through.  I was 20 when I started showing symptons and was told several times that it wasn't RA... the symptoms just didn't line up, my blood work wasn't 100% confirming RA, etc, etc.  I really hope for you that it isn't RA, but make sure you keep on them and don't let them tell you it's nothing.  It's hard to get a diagnosis sometimes, but if you know that something is going on, be persistent!!  There are a ton of good medications out there and there is no reason you can't live a completely happy, normal life with RA. 
I know referrals with Tricare can be a pain sometimes, but hopefully you are able to see a Rheumy soon!  I know how frustrating and difficult it can be to try to take care of your babies while flaring up.  Try not to get discouraged and be easy on yourself.  Maybe your house doesn't get vacummed this week... oh well!!  Get lots of rest and hugs to you I'm another sero-negative and ALWAYS come up positive in all but the CRP tests. If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck.........

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