Question about possible RA... | Arthritis Information

06/07/05 04:28 AM

Hi. Last month (middle of May) I had servere pain in both wrists, hands, and knees with swelling of both hands (all over the weekend). I went into my GP and she ran some bloodwork that came back with a positive ANA and elevated SED. She put me on the Medrol Pack which helped incredibly by day 2. All the swelling and pain was gone and I could get my rings back on my fingers!

Welcome aboard!! Keep coming back here; there are great people hear with a wealth of knowledge of many subjects that are likely to interest you.

Again; Welcome.

Lovie

This seems to me like I sound like a broken record...but GPs like to say you can't have RA without a pos. Rheumatoid Factor. That makes me very unhappy they are confusing people.
Those symptoms can be caused by other things as well as RA but...just because you do not test positive for RA...doesn't mean you don't have it. Sorry to say that all the time. Many people here are sero-negative which just means you have it but it doesn't show in your blood.

wayney

Thank you so much for replying so fast!

I see the criteria and before the medol pack, I had 5 of them. After the medrol pack, the pain hasn't come back, just the swelling. That's why I wasn't sure about the RA anymore because I haven't had anymore pain.

I have rings on my middle and ring finger, and I constantly play with my rings to see how bad the swelling is. It's kinda funny, I spend the day now seeing if I can get my rings off. If I can, cool. If I can't, I get

Thanks again... my appt is June 27th which is a long time away!

Karen

zakatak38510.2988425926

The swollen fingers were my first indicater of RA a few years back, didnt have any pain in them at the time either. It certainly sounds like the start of RA. Hopefully your Rheumy can clarify it a little on the 27th.

Best of luck. And welcome.

[QUOTE=wayney]This seems to me like I sound like a broken record...but GPs like to say you can't have RA without a pos. Rheumatoid Factor. That makes me very unhappy they are confusing people.
Those symptoms can be caused by other things as well as RA but...just because you do not test positive for RA...doesn't mean you don't have it. Sorry to say that all the time. Many people here are sero-negative which just means you have it but it doesn't show in your blood.

wayney
[/QUOTE]

yep yep its true, I in the beginning was positive for RF but now it doesnt show up. So it can change regardless, I still have RA.
dITTO...MD'S DON'T KNOW DITTALY ABOUT RA. I WENT AROUND WITH THEM FOR YEARS WHILE MY RA ADVANCED. FINALLY GOT A REFERRAL TO A RHEUMY. I AM ALSO SERONEGATIVE RF AND STILL HAVE AGGRESSIVE RA! GET AN APPT SOON! GOOD LUCK DEAR!

My advice is to be persistent until you find out what's wrong. You know your body better then anyone and if you continue to have symptoms then find a doctor who listens (easier said than done--I know!).

I did not test positive for the RA factor but I do have RA. My symptoms started with stiffness and swelling in my knee, but not a lot of pain. Everyone has different symptoms, that's what makes it so hard to diagnose. I hope you find some answers soon and feel better.