Re: Re: Negative bloodwork for RA

[Guest guest]

been going down that road for 15 years...was tested for lyme disease at least

six times(because i spent a lot of time in the woods)...then it was allergic

reactions...gout, and then " undetermined " arthritis....there is a major

arthritis research center where i live ,so it was determined that i had

serum-negative ra...i think the main reason was so i cud participate in all

their experimental drug programs...had a little success with methotrexate...none

with gold salts or humira...the docs say nothing to do but prednisone to " take

the edge off " ..my hands rapidly deteriorating..only good thing about the

diagnosis was it enabled me to get ss dissability and medicare...but still dont

think i have ra...i realize its a tought thing to diagnose....but once a

diagnoses is made..it seems that, that is the final word in the medical

community...frank

Pacific NW Dew <dewdrop_mealine@...> wrote: I, too am having a

difficult time getting a conclusive

answer. I was told by a friend that a SED that was high

and a C-Reactive Protein would indicate inflammation

in the body and could help diagnosis RA. I do not

have the factor in my blood but I have all the symptoms

painfully destroying my body.

Dew

>

> My son is 24 and uninsured so he goes through a local clinic (which is

> part of one of our very best hospitals).

>

> He was " diagnosed " with RA by a leading neurosurgeon here due to a

> large calcium deposit at the top of his spine which is producing

> compression on his C1-C2 discs. Also because of joint pain in neck,

> both hands, and both shoulders. He has extreme fatigue, lung problems,

> and just generally feels OLD.

>

> However he just had x-rays of his hands and bloodwork for the RA

> factor. All are negative.

>

> How is RA diagnosed without the RA factor present? How do we convince

> them to keep looking? What's the next step here? I don't want them to

> ignore him.

>

---------------------------------

Get your email and more, right on the new .com

---------------------------------

Talk is cheap. Use Messenger to make PC-to-Phone calls. Great rates

starting at 1¢/min.

[Guest guest]

, I would make sure your son sees a rheumatologist and have all of the

findings from the neurosurgeon and the labs with you for the visit.

Rheumatoid arthritis is largely a clinical diagnosis, but there are labs and

imaging findings that can help a rheumatologist make an accurate diagnosis.

This article may be of help:

American Family Physician

September 15, 2005

" Diagnosis and Management of Rheumatoid Arthritis " :

http://www.aafp.org/afp/20050915/1037.html

Not an MD

I'll tell you where to go!

Mayo Clinic in Rochester

http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester

s Hopkins Medicine

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org

[ ] Re: Negative bloodwork for RA

> Hi :

> No - he has not seen a rheumatologist, he must be referred by the

> clinic and there is a 6-8 week wait. I'm going to call tomorrow and

> make sure they will still refer him. If they won't I don't know

> what to do.

>

> The neurosurgeon wants him to see the rheumatologist - that was his

> recommendation. SAid it's not a surgical issue. He happens to be MY

> neurosurgeon who has been in my neck twice for disc issues - if it

> were repairable with surgery, I'm sure he would do it. He sits at

> the right hand of God in my book.

>

> So I will call tomorrow and PUSH for the rheumatologist regardless

> of bloodwork.

>

> I'm open to ANY advice, suggestions, guidance from all of you -

> thank you so much!!!