Hi im 32 yo female and new to all this ra stuff ,my doctor isnt as helpful as i would like him to be.I was hoping someone here would be able to help me make sense of my lab tests.First i ve been experiecing bad pain ,stiffness and sharp pains in my hips, back and knees,And a terrible burning feeling in my feet for about 1 year now.My family has a history of Ra ,so i thought i should go be tested.My doctors nurse called today and left a message on my machine that my blood tests were normal.I called her back b/c i dont get why im in so much pain.I asked her what my results were from the Ra factor test n the ana test she said the Ra factor was 5 and the ANA was 19. From what i ve read online it should have been negative if everything was normal.Anyone know anything about this ?
Hi and welcome! I have Sero-Negative RA meaning my RA Factor was negative, an 8 to be exact, but I presented with enough symptoms for a diagnosis. Was this Dr a GP or a Rheumatologist? A Rheumatologist can diagnose based on medical history and symptoms along with the lab work which is only one of many tools they use.
I also have PA (Psoriatic Arthritis) which is a Spondylitis. Your back and hip pain may even lean towards a Spondylitis though I am definately no Dr, just throwing out suggestions.
I would get to a Rheumatologist or if you already did then get a second opinion as these diseases need to be treated early for prevention of deformity.
Good luck
Your labs can be normal and you can still have lots of pain and even joint damage. I am another sero-negative. I have had it at least 30 years.
Some of the other sero - negs on this board have had trouble getting DX so they can start treatment, but I have never had a dr doubt my DX. And I'm not a severe case - only moderate.
20 percent of RA patients never test positive for RA - some folks who do test positive do not have it.
The right meds bring relief. Try not to worry.
thanks you guys :)
IT was only a general doctor , my first visit about this stuff .I guess you can say ive been prolonging going to see a doc until now.I just kinda felt like No WAY everythings normal when the nurse said that.Sometimes the pain is unbearable.Im glad to know others out there have similar test results .I was starting to feel like maybe i should just not worry about it .
I would get a 2nd opinion or get a referral to a rheumy doc. I would tell them that it runs in your family. Do you have any other symptoms? Are you stiff in the morning and tired all the time? That is symptoms of ra.
Oh and welcome to the forum. Good place to be for questions and support.
Tiredness is definitly another of my symptoms im a mother of 4 and the last few months i find it hard to do my everyday things with my kids.Just getting out of bed takes alot some days. I prolly get 2-3 hours sleep each night the stiffness n pain in my back,shoulders n hips keep me awake alot.On my back where the pain is sometimes a itchy ash develops there. Also ive had mild weight loss, ive lost 25-30 in 7 months without trying im not sure if that means anything.Also the doctor prescribed me relafen 500 mg .It made me so sick so i went back to tylenol n motrin.Just want to welcome you to the board since everyone else has given some great advice and suggestions also.
I am also sero-negative and have been since diagnosis all those years ago.