I just got the word from my Dr...no RA for me!

[Guest guest]

Hi RA Gang,

I got the final word from Dr. DiSabitino in New Haven, CT yesterdeay.

After a full exam, tons of questions, xrays and final blood work he is

sure I do NOT have RA! He sees OA in my hands, lower spine, left hip

and what he thinks is a Sarcoid 'cyst' on my right wrist...but NO RA!

This was very good news but I admit to being a bit dissapointed. I

know, that is a very strange statement to make. But, I have chronic

Sarcoidosis which is what he feels caused a false positive RA Factor

in my blood work back in November. The Sarcoid is in my lungs and is

dong a great deal of damage. Damage that will never go away. The

immuno-suppresents and the Methotrexate are used in the treatment for

both RA and Sarcoid. RA is treated early and aggressivaly to stop

joint damage. Sarcoid is not treated until you really can not live

without it. If there was an up side to having RA it was treating it

could have also helped my lungs.

But...the real UP SIDE is...I don't have RA!!! He gave me a list of

symptoms and issues to watch out for. He was sure to tell me that

even though he is sure my positive RA Factor was a false positive...on

paper, it was still positive. I could be in the very early stages of

RA but he sees no indication other than that first blood test. So,

for now, I am happy.

So, thank you all for being here. I learned a great deal from reading

your posts. It was so good to know that I had a place to come to

where I knew I could find some answers to my many questions. I hope

you are all feeling as well as you are able and that each day brings

new hope and comfort. Thank you all.

Sooey