Test results back | Arthritis Information

Well I am normal according to my blood work I just wish I could tell my body that.I wonder should I go to a reheumy. instead of my family dr?Can RA be diagnosed without blood work showing a positive sign for RA?Also how long does it usually take to get a diagnoses.

Feeeling a bit better today.Worked out, was tired of course but the pain wasn't as bad.I weighed myself at the gym and have lost 5 pounds in a week and thats not even trying it's just from not feeling well.

I guess the next time, if it happens, I will go to reheumy. when and if it gets as bad as before.

Thanks for all your support.I hoe you don't mind I amight still post even though I don't know whats wrong with me.

Yes there are false negatives I was one of those. Check out the board "I say good bye as I cry from Karen....." Don't give up and don't wait for another flare up before seeing a Rheumitoligist.....Excersise does make you feel better but you need to be on meds.

Feel Better,

KAT

P.S And don't leave this group it's a great group of people

My blood work come back negative but I still have the damn disease. Your most probably seronegative like alot of us here. I had/have a negative RA factor but still had the pain and swelling. My rheumatolgist took one look at my symmetrical swelling and symptoms and diagnosed RA within 5 minutes of seeing him. When you see someone about it they will most probably put you on Prednislone for a short period. I was told that after the course of Preds the pain will either come back suggessting that it is definatly RA or would disappear. It might be the case that you just have a virus or if you have been abroad you may developed something from there that has 'upset' you body. Definatly find a specialist to get a proper examination so you can rule out RA or be given the meds that will make the pain go away. xI am feeling like a broken record as I state this a lot. RA doesn't always show in bloodwork. I've never been positive. For ANA or Rheumatoid Factor. I've had only slightly elevated SED rates as well. 21 years dealing with this.
Another place to look at is on the helpful links board...there's a thread called criteria for diagnosis. check that out.

Don't give up the ship right yet Sheila. It takes time to come to a DX..Took quite a while for me to get a DX of RA. The flares would happen, making it impossible for me to use the stering wheel, that I never got a chance to let the doctors see what was going on with me during a flare. Then they would subside and not happen again for another 2 or 3 months. This went on for some time. There for awhile I thought I was losing my mind but finally my GP, said it was time to see a Rheumatologist. So keep your doctor advised, at all times, as to what is going on with you. They will eventually find out what is happening to you .

I truly hope that you will soon be feeling well again. It sure takes a lot out of a person when we just don't feel well and have no idea why.

Take care of yourself Sheila and try to relax.

Waddles ( Toni )

Well get ready for another broken record.

Have only been dxs 3yrs or so, no Rheumatiod Factor or any other positive blood work except for a positive ANA (I think). I was offically dxs through a bone scan my new RD did. She a wonderful doc, but it took me years of jerk docs to find her.

Shawnie

DITTO, DIRRO, DITTO......IT TOOK ME MANY YEARS TO GET A DIAGNOSIS. MY RHEUMY DID MRI'S ON HANDS AND IT SHOWED BONE EROSION. I AM ALSO SERONEGATIVE. GO THE NEXT TIME YOU ARE HAVING A FULL FLARE!!!! GOOD LUCK DEAR AND STAY WITH US... WE KNOW HOW LONG IT TAKES TO GET A DIAGNOSIS.!!

Me too. Seronegative....but my RD diagnosised me the first visit. Check out the list of criteria Wayney spoke of under our Useful Links section. It's very helpful. I have all the other criteria but negative blood work. And like Jenna mentioned a short coarse of predisone put me right back on my feet in no time after my first visit....at least for a little while.

Hang in there. Not all doctors will diagnosis RA as quickly as mine did. I'm grateful however the I didn't have to spend years chasing a diagnosis. That's got to be frustrating to say the least.

It will get better once you get the proper treatment though. Keep your chin up.

Lovie

Don't worry, it may be their measurement like with me here in Michigan. They told me that a bone scan was useless because I do not have osteo?!?!?!?!...but they found it on the bone scan with improvement when on medication for it....go figure.

Don't give up, find out what tests they gave you and the results, you are allowed to have those records.....listen to me "allowed" like we are little kids asking for a candy. Let me rephrase that, they are your medical records, you paid for them, they are yours, just ask the office staff for them.