Possible RA, Scared & Questions | Arthritis Information

Good morning! My name is Jessica and I am new to posting but have been lurking for a while. I have learned alot but I am having a really hard time right now. I am 31 and have generally been very healthy. However, in January I was in a minor sledding accident and had a knee injury. The surgeon took Xrays and made the comment that my knees showed advanced arthritis for my age. He the wrote a letter to my GP recommending bloodwork be performed. I had the blood work done last week and it came back RF positive (44), ANA negative, sed rate 0 but extremely low iron saturation.
So when this whole process started, I got really scared b/c I have been having problems with my hands but had been attributing it to working on the computer. I have swelling of both ring fingerMCP joints (both are affected, but not at the same time, they alternate) and the same finger PIP joints and I have been having more and more sever morning stiffness (trouble holding mytoothbrush and coffee cup).
My GP wants me to wait 6 months and then have the blood work repeated, I feel that I may be better suited to have a Rheumatologist referral. My GP says my RF is not "that high" but I cannot find any information on what is "high". Any advice would be most appreciated!

Jessica, first of all welcome! We're glad you found us and said hello. All of this can be pretty scary, but there are a lot of people here who can answer questions and help with your fears.

I really don't see the benefit of waiting to see a rheumatologist. Six months of stress for nothing? I don't really see the reason for it.

Doctors, especially GP's, often get hung up on the numbers. But what is important is how you feel. Several of the most significantly effected folks on this board do not even register positive for an RF factor. Finding a good rheumy should be your first start and begin treatment, so that you can prevent damage to your joints.

Thank you for the response. That is how I feel, that the stress of waiting to simply retest the bloodwork makes me naseaus just thinking about it! Its hard because as I read more about RA there are somethings that are falling into place, that seemed random/weird before. Like my eyes have been going from really dry to burning/watering for no reason and everyday between 3 and 5 pm I get so tired I can barely keep my eyes open. I have also lost almost 50 pounds in the last year without dieting at all. I feel like I am seeing a big picture that my gp is fracturing into small individual issues and is not seeing any connection. I don't know, all I do know is that I am scared and confused and frusterated :(

Thank you for the welcome, seems this is a wonderful place to find support and advice!

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/rheumatoid-factor/AN01452

Jessica1999,

The above link will give you some good information. It is the Mayo clinic, a safe site. If you need more or deeper info, search= rheumatoid factor.

Jessica1999,

Keep clicking on the related links from the mayo site and everything will be discussed.

Thank you Levlarry, that is a very helpful link :)

I keep reading that its possible to have RF in your blood and not have RA, but does anyone know if its possible to have elevated RF and not have RA?

Rheumatoid Factor (RF)

Rheumatoid factor (RF) blood test measures the amount of the RF antibody present in most people with rheumatoid arthritis. Normally antibodies are produced by the immune system to help destroy and eliminate invading bacteria and viruses that can cause disease. However, RF is an antibody that can attach to normal body tissue, resulting in damage.

A high level of rheumatoid factor can be caused by several autoimmune diseases (including rheumatoid arthritis) and some severe infections. Occasionally an elevated level of RF is present in healthy people.

The amount of rheumatoid factor in blood can be measured in two ways:

Agglutination tests. One agglutination method mixes the blood being tested with tiny rubber (latex) beads that are covered with human antibodies. If rheumatoid factor (RF) is present, the latex beads clump (agglutinate). This method is best used as a first-time screening test for rheumatoid arthritis. Another agglutination method mixes the blood being tested with a sheep's red blood cells that have been covered with rabbit antibodies. If RF is present, the red blood cells agglutinate. This method is often used to confirm the presence of RF.
Nephelometry test. This method mixes the blood being tested with antibodies that cause the blood to clump if rheumatoid factor (RF) is present. While a laser light passes through the tube containing the mixture, an instrument measures how much light is blocked by the sample in the tube. As levels of RF increase, more clumping occurs, causing a cloudier sample and less light to pass through the tube.

Why It Is Done

A test for rheumatoid factor is done to help support a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis.

I would see a rheumatologist "just in case". For some people, RA progression can be stopped or slowed early on. No use in waiting. Talk to an rd and get another opinion. Welcome to AI

Thank you all for your support. I just got back from my PT appt and she commented that my knees are quite swollen right now, great another thing! I think the hardest thing right now is that there are not a lot of people who understand RA. I had my surgeon actually tell me not to get so stressed out over the diagnosis process, RA is not that big of a deal. Well, maybe not that big of a deal for someone not potentially facing it!

While I appreciate all the support (I am sure I will be posting asking for help!) part of me hopes I don't need to join the group kwim? I just want the pain to stop.

Larry I hope your post was right on and that I am one of those few percentages with elevated RF and no RA or other disease!!!

Welcome!

Push to see a Rhuematologist.

There is nothing to be gained my waiting 6 months. There is everything to be gained by seeing a rhuemy and getting early treatment that stops damage in its tracks for many many people. Also some think early treatment appears to alter the course of the disease, those treated early have a better chance of real remission.

Damage done, is usually permanent. Sometimes surgery can correct it.

Jessica,

Honestly, I would push to get ref. to a rheumy asap. Because we are seeing them on a reg. basis and make the next appt. before we walk out their doors, their appt. books are always full at least 3 months ahead, so the quicker you can get the referral and book an appointment, the better! And the sooner you can get some quality meds to help slow the disease, the better. Once the damage is done, there is no magic to reverse it :(

Keep us posted on how you get on.

Lorraine

Jessica

Welcome honey....this is a great source of information and support.

IT IS YOUR BODY !!!!!! Do not let anyone tell you what you can and cant or should or shouldnt do....if it will help you by all means get an appt with a rhemmy....blood tests are only a tool in the diagnosis it is not the one and only clue to having RA

Hello Jessica,

Welcome to AI.

Blood tests are only one way in which RA is potentially diagnosed. Many with RA never have positive blood tests. RA is diagnosed with symptoms also. And in your case probably some Xrays too. Also, if you have a swollen joint it can be aspirated and the joint fluid examined for RA also.

See a rheumatologist.

Jessica,

When I was first diagnosed my RF was 353 and went up to 706. The labs at the University said 0-30 was RA and 31-60 was severe. I don't know about your lab (should be on the lab results page - make sure you get copies of EVERYTHING from now on) maybe their scale is different than ours. But with that number I'd push like hell for a referral to a rheumy.

Did your RA start AFTER the surgery? I didn't understand.

You might try www.roadback.org for an alternative view of RA

Pip

Thanks for all the information :) I have been feeling really carpy lately and have not been on the puter for a few days. Pip to answer your question the hand pain started last summer, but since I run an on-line biz from home I thought it was from overuse of my hands, but no matter how much exercise, time off or ergonomic changes I have done nothing seems to stop the stiffness and swelling. My lab slip for the RA says less than 25 is "abnormal" and I am at 44. My appt with my GP is tomorrow and I will be fighting like hell to get the referral to a rheumy. At the very least I want someone with experience to review the case and not some numpty :)

hi Jessica

i come from fiji islands and i was diagnosed with RA last year, over here we dont even have a RD:(

your RA questions will answred well if you see a RD.....GO FOR IT!!!!