New to this board | Arthritis Information

Hello, My name is Mindy and I am new to this board.

I am having alot of joint aches and pains and at the suggestion of a friend I asked my MD to do a RA factor test on me.

According to him the results we all negative but I have a few concers.

My lab results were, RA Factor 7, Sed Rate 7, ANA negative.

From what I have read online we should not have a RA factor in our blood at all.

My symptoms are.. Bursitis in my L hip with IT band syndrome. L knee bakers cyst as a result of a small cartlidge tear I was told. Pain in my L thumb, TMJ in both jaws (having surgery after the right side locked).

I did go on steriod (2 scripts) for the hip and knee was also on an anti- inflammatory for 90 days. I had physical therapy with ultrasound and e-stem and the pain is still there. The pain did get better with the steroids but as soon as I went off the pain came back. The IT band syndrome is gone for now.

I am 38 yrs old overweight by 30lbs or so. I do try to work out but the pain in the knee makes the treadmill agony. I can do the elliptical for a little bit but not every long.

Does anyone have any suggestions or idea if this isnt RA what I should ask the MD to due next. I have not gone to a rhuematologist, I have seen the ortho and my PCP.

Hi Mindy, and welcome to the forum! Sorry to hear of your troubles, how long have you been suffering from joint pain? Is it on one side, or both sides of your body? You mentioned that you have not seen a rheumatologist yet, but in my opinion, that should be your next step. RA can be difficult to diagnose, and many people here test negative for RA factor, but do indeed have RA. A rheumatologist will be able to look over your blood results, check your joints, obtain a medical history, and proceed from there with either more blood tests and/or x-rays. Like I said, it can be difficult to diagnose, especially when the blood work is negative, but a good RD should be able to get to the bottom of this.

I'm sure some of our negative RA factor people will respond, but being a holiday weekend, it might be a little slow. I'll keep this bumped up to the top so everyone can see.

Good luck in whatever you decide, and please let us know how it goes.
Brisen2011-04-22 17:36:44

Sometimes people have a negative RA factor but still have RA. Most RA doctors will evaluate your symptoms and are able to diagnose you based on the whole picture. You will see many on this site have a negative RA factor. I tested positive and had a very high sed rate. I have had RA for 17 years. I also have hip pain, jaw pain, pain all over really. I hope you find the answers to help you feel better.

Hi and welcome to the forum, to confuse you even more I had a strongly positive RA factor for years, started biologics and have a normal RA factor and sed rate presently but I've been off all meds due to an infection and have a severe flare going on. Even in the flare my RA factor and sed rate are normal. I've gone from positive to normal range. My only advice at this time is to get a referral to a rheumatologist. They'll examine you closely, take a detailed history, may do additional labs and even an xray and put it all together. LindyMindy, do yourself a favor, right now this forum is not the best place for advise...go the the National Arthritis Foundation, that board is moderated and better equipped to help you right now. Every time this board goes nuts from the resident trolls and bullies, I head over there until it dies down.

No, I'm not scared to say it publicly instead of sending a PM to avoid backlash. It is what it is.

that is absolutely not true, Dachie.. We can certainly help her just fine ..[QUOTE=Dachie Mom]Mindy, do yourself a favor, right now this forum is not the best place for advise...go the the National Arthritis Foundation, that board is moderated and better equipped to help you right now. Every time this board goes nuts from the resident trolls and bullies, I head over there until it dies down.

No, I'm not scared to say it publicly instead of sending a PM to avoid backlash. It is what it is.

[/QUOTE]

I respectfully disagree.........

While you may have to sort through some of the posts, this is a wonderful place for support and information.

I'm pretty sure it doesn't take the newbies long to figure out who is here to offer support, answer questions, give info, etc......

One just needs to glance a a few posts to realize who the troublemakers are and who is here to help.

Now, on to your question:

I agree that it is important for you to schedule an appt. with a Rheumatologist. He is really the best qualified to diagnose whether or not you have RA.