Re: In great pain today

[Guest guest]

Hello M'Belle, I have always tested negative for the rheumatoid factor, or RF (I've had arthritis for 3 years). If you doctor has already prescribed metho, you probably have sero-negative arthritis, which just means you have arthritis symptoms but test negative for the RF. RA also runs in my family, but I have reactive arthritis, which makes me the black sheep!

Take care,

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[Guest guest]

It took about 9 mths for me to get a proper diagnosis

although they did expect that I had RA form the

beginning of my symptoms. All my blood test have come

back negative for RA. I had a bone X-ray test done

which showed no damage at all. I only finally got a

diagnosis because I had the symptoms consistently for

a 6 week period.

I have been on Vioxx and Sulfasalzalnine since July

and feel like I finally have my life back. The only

time I have pain is first thing in the morning as I'm

coming downstairs or if I have to get up during the

night for one of my kids. I know that I am one of the

lucky ones who the medication really does work for. I

recently ran out of Vioxx on a Friday and thought I

would give it a go over the weekend without any

medication. By Sunday morning I had to get my husband

to go and get my prescription filled as I felt like I

was walking on my bones on my feet again. It was

better angina within a couple of days, so I know the

meds are definitely doing what they should.

Kate

-----Original Message-----

From: M'Belle [mailto:la_m_belle@...]

Sent: 06 January 2003 15:44

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Subject: Re: In great pain

today

Hello. I wrote earlier about not being diagnosed yet.

Not really sure if I have RA but doc thinks I might.

My blood test are negative but I have alot of the

symptoms. I take Methotrexate and Bextra for pain.

Ran out of Bextra because doc increased my dosage but

insurance won't refill early. My God, am I in pain

today. Hubby is swinging by docs office to pick me up

some more samples. I was recently weaned off of

methylprednisolone. I sure miss it but I am sure I

won't miss the side effects.

Has anyone had trouble getting diagnosed like me?

Anyone have negative blood tests? My mother has RA

and my fathers mother had RA severely so it runs in

both families.

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M'Belle

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