I first visited here in May while awaiting my second Rheumy visit for today. My bloodwork came back strange. My ANA was positive, my C-reactive protein was elevated, I'm anemic, but my Rh Factor and sed rate were ok. My liver enzymes are elevated too. My hands ache, as well as several joints (on the same side of my body), I'm tired alot and I can't hold things tightly without pain. So, I don't really officially have RA, but from the things I read here, I feel like I do! So I shouldn't even come here!
Anyhow, the doc said he wants to wait three weeks to see if my liver enzymes go down and at that time he will also do a CCRP (?) test which he said if it comes out positive, it means I have RA. I don't want it to be positive, but I do want to know for once (after almost 3 years of progressively worsening symptoms, what my problem is! Now I have to wait until July 12! UGH!!!
Sorry to hear about all the confusion...seems like most AI diseases are surrounded in confusion! Is the test your doctor is requesting the anti-CCP perhaps? This is one that is a strong marker for RA. This was positive in me and it is was caused my rheumatologist to say I definitely had RA. Here is some more info on it... http://www.rheumatology.org/publications/hotline/1003anticcp .asp?aud=memI know it's fustrating without knowing what's going on for sure. Didn't your Dr. tell you that you can still have RA even if the RA factor comes back negative?
I've had RA for 19 years and still have a negative RA factor. My Sed Rate's are usually within noramal limits. My ANA is positive, and I'm anemic too!
Does he have you on some type of treatment?
I'm sorry you weren't able to get better answers today Gracie. I know how anxious you are to at least know something after all this time.
I'm like dbmy; I am always negative for the RF but my doctor dx'ed me before even seeing my blood work. That showed me early on that it didn't matter much. My doctor rarely mentions my blood work. Whenever my SEDS Rate is elevated he'll note that on my test results when he sends them to me. My doctor always sends me a form after my blood work showing the results. It just says normal or abnormal and then he'll make comments if nessesary but he's never made a big deal of any of it.
One thing that seems different though about what your saying is RA usually affects joints on each side of the body. Like it will be both hands....both knees....both shoulders. Not joints just on one side of the body. Granted one side or the other might be worse than the other for me at times; but on each side is a clear sign of RA for doctors.
You hang in there now. Don't give up. Sometimes it takes a while to get to the bottom of this stuff. They'll figure it out eventually.
Welcome Gracie. I never have kept track of what all the tests mean. I just know that all my doctors and now I have no doubt I have RA. You should be here. My ra did not start out symmetrical. It was one sided. Take care of yourself, eat right and come back. There is a lot of good information here. I hope you finally get a diagnosis.