New to group - response to RA factor and Sed rate

July 13, 2004

Hi all,

I'm new and was reading about the lab values with interest. I am in the

medical field as well.

I have had all the symptoms of RA and have the diagnosis of inflammatory

arthritis at this point with probable RA. symmetrical joint pain in multiple

sites, morning stiffness, fatigue, weight loss, fever, etc. etc. for a very long

time. I finally went and saw a rheumatologist because NSAIDs and everything

else I tried, including my rationalizations didn't help.

She started me on Plaquenil, drew labs, and after about a week or so of the

Plaquenil, I broke out in hives. I stopped it. I went in today. My labs are

normal. Sed rate normal. RF- normal. ANA mildly positive at only 1:40. CRP

negative. Surprisingly my hand xrays were " concerning " as they showed some

periarticular changes with mild osteopenia (thinning)/erosion at the MCPs. She

told me

I should take some calcium. Asked me what I thought we should do. Ummm.....

I'm a little stumped. I know that my joints do get red and hot and very

swollen..even though they weren't right then this morning. It seems to vary day

to

day. Is that normal?

I ended up leaving with Prednisone 5mg daily and Sulfasalzine.

I guess my comments really are about my frustration with the diagnostic

process here. Whether this is RA of not.. what is it? I was reading publications

from the arthritis foundation and they said that only 60% of RA patients have

elevated sed rates and CRPs........and that people can have normal sed

rates/crps... and RF's. After I read that I was glad we decided to treat me....

but at

the same time, how frustrating is that???

Abby

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