Re: Last year...elevated RA factor...last week normal!!???

[Guest guest]

Holly, I understand your frustration. Prior to diagnosis (5+ years

ago) I had strange joint pains and swelling and negative RA factor

for over a year. Then finally one time the RA factor was positive

which was the last piece of the diagnosis for me. Once I started on

Methotrexate the swelling went down, but the pain has never really

gone away. Last summer when I was failing on Remicade and feeling

really lousy, my RA factor was negative and my sed rate was on the

low side of normal - yet I could tell that I had inflammation all

over the place and was flaring more than ever!

I'm fortunate in the fact that my rheumy listens to me and believes

me even when there are no 'objective' findings to support the RA

diagnosis. I hope your rheumy is also open minded and willing to

work with you even when you don't fit the normal patterns. Beth

> HELP!! Let me start off by saying that my sx's are not any better

> than last year when my RA factor was elevated. Last week's culture

> was normal! I am so confused!! My rheumatologist is ordering more

> specific blood tests for RA. Anyone know what these might be? He

> said the RA factor is a test used as an " old standard " for

> diagnosing RA. The other problem is that I have severe joint pain

> and some joint deviation, but, no swelling. Any ideas? Thanks

much.

>

> Holly

[Guest guest]

Hi Holly:

My rheumy usually takes a blood sample of ESR which stands for

Erythrocyte seidmentation rate....the higher the rate or number/result

means that there is inflammation in your body, somewhere, but I might

add THIS TEST IS NOT SPECIFIC FOR ARTHRITIS..My RA factor was elevated

as well back in '98, it is normal now..so go figger...I think

sometimes those docs just want to make money...shrug..I dunno...BUT I

do know that he does take x-rays maybe, ummm, once a yr just to see if

there has been a progression of joint damage...yeah, my joints deviate

a bit but nothing that they would be noticeable to anyone 'cept moi...

It is a weird disease...sometimes it just seems to come n' go...you

did not mention as to whether you are on any meds and if so, which

ones...I take metho and have been since '98....for some, it can cause

some uncomfortable symptoms, for some, it is OK...just an individual

thingy..

Good luck Holly on this one...

One day at a time...just keep on a'going...that is all that we RA

sufferers can do...

God bless

s

> HELP!! Let me start off by saying that my sx's are not any better

> than last year when my RA factor was elevated. Last week's culture

> was normal! I am so confused!! My rheumatologist is ordering more

> specific blood tests for RA. Anyone know what these might be? He

> said the RA factor is a test used as an " old standard " for

> diagnosing RA. The other problem is that I have severe joint pain

> and some joint deviation, but, no swelling. Any ideas? Thanks

much.

>

> Holly