Hello, Everyone. I am waiting to see a new rheumatologist, and I would really appreciate your input. Ten years ago I was told by a rheumy that I had a mild case of RA. I couldn't stand the man, so I never went back. I took OTC NSAIDs to get by. I saw another rheumy earlier this year because my pain increased. He said I have Fibro & Erosive Inflammatory Osteoarthritis. My ortho says I have some type of inflammatory arthritis and is sending me to a specialist in another town about an hour away from where I live. This last rheumy was not helping me at all. I have had two medrol packs in the last four weeks w/two separate episodes of level nine pain. Here is what is going on: swollen knees, elbows and wrists, hands are sore, sharp pains radiating from middle knuckles of my fingers back to my hands. MRI of my knee shows OA behind knee cap, lateral meniscus tear and inflammation and swelling. I have missed a lot of work this year already and have been granted FMLA leave for PT and doctor's appointments and "flare" days. Does this sound like RA to you? My blood tests are negative. I know no one here is a doctor. I'm just looking for voices of experience.
Thanks,
VVee I have always tested negative to RA. I have swollen, red and hot joints. I feel like the most important treatment for this disease is to believe and have faith in your rheumy. If you do not like him find another one. Before I got the doctor I have now, I drove 2 and a half hours (one way, 5 hours round trip) to see one in Nashville at Vanderbilt. I would suffer for days after but I had no choices that were closer. Yes, I think it sounds like RA but could be something else also. I wish you the best in your search for answers and hope your nine pain level goes down quickly-as best I can, I am keep fingers crossed all goes well with the new rheumy...Ditto what ithurts said. There are a number of people here who test negative for RA factor, but do indeed have RA. It many times takes a second opinion or more before getting a definitive diagnosis. If you're not comfortable with your current RD, you definitely need to find another one. Hopefully, your new RD will be able to sort through everything and get to the bottom of this. Good luck Vee, and let us know what your new RD says.
Thank you all so much~ Your concern and support is important to me because sometimes it is all so overwhelming. I am anxious to seem my new doc. I read that something like 30% of people w/RA never test positive for RA. I read that docs are supposed to look at the whole clinical picture. Unfortunately, my other two docs didn't even examine my joints. Pretty bad docs, don't ya think?!? Thanks again!
V[QUOTE=Vee]Thank you all so much~ Your concern and support is important to me because sometimes it is all so overwhelming. I am anxious to seem my new doc. I read that something like 30% of people w/RA never test positive for RA. I read that docs are supposed to look at the whole clinical picture. Unfortunately, my other two docs didn't even examine my joints. Pretty bad docs, don't ya think?!? Thanks again!
V[/QUOTE]