Re: Boston area rheumatoid doc?

[Guest guest]

,

I can't help you with a recommendation since I don't live in Boston,

but I have to tell you that there is no one specific test that

confirms a diagnosis

of RA. Your mother is sero-negative, meaning she tests negative for the

rheumatoid factor, however this does not mean she doesn't have RA.

I am also sero-negative as are many members.

For more information check my website:

http://arthritissupport.info/Lab%20Tests.html

While you are there, check the medication page which has a lot of

information on mtx, which is the oldest drug for RA. Hopefully after

you read about all the good mtx can do, your mom will feel better

about taking it.

a

On Jun 5, 2006, at 9:51 AM, wrote:

> Hi everyone,

>

> I'm wondering if any of you are in the Boston area. I am trying to

> find a really good rheumatoid doc for my Mom because her doc wants to

> start her on methotrexate (sp?) even though she clinically does not

> have rheumatoid (her blood work had been tested over and over for

> about 1.5 years and does not show it, but she definitely has the

> symptoms, specifically in her fingers and neck and it is now starting

> to spread to her knees). She is nervous about taking the methotrexate

> anyways and the fact that she doesn't technically have RA makes me

> feel like she needs a really really good second opinion. If anyone

> knows the name of someone who's really good, could you please post?

> Thanks.

>

>

[Guest guest]

, has your mother had an anti-CCP test? That is proving to me more

specific than the rheumatoid factor (RF) test.

Do her X-rays or MRIs show damage consistent with rheumatoid arthritis?

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

[ ] Boston area rheumatoid doc?

> Hi everyone,

>

> I'm wondering if any of you are in the Boston area. I am trying to

> find a really good rheumatoid doc for my Mom because her doc wants to

> start her on methotrexate (sp?) even though she clinically does not

> have rheumatoid (her blood work had been tested over and over for

> about 1.5 years and does not show it, but she definitely has the

> symptoms, specifically in her fingers and neck and it is now starting

> to spread to her knees). She is nervous about taking the methotrexate

> anyways and the fact that she doesn't technically have RA makes me

> feel like she needs a really really good second opinion. If anyone

> knows the name of someone who's really good, could you please post?

> Thanks.

>

>

[Guest guest]

I don't live in Boston but I do have sero-negative RA. . I have been tested

over and over and it always comes back negative, my rhuemy told me this does

happen in about 20% of people with RA. . I have all the other RA problems

including chronic kidney problems, RA involvement in my lungs. in WI

<kilpatrick_ja@...> wrote:

Hi everyone,

I'm wondering if any of you are in the Boston area. I am trying to

find a really good rheumatoid doc for my Mom because her doc wants to

start her on methotrexate (sp?) even though she clinically does not

have rheumatoid (her blood work had been tested over and over for

about 1.5 years and does not show it, but she definitely has the

symptoms, specifically in her fingers and neck and it is now starting

to spread to her knees). She is nervous about taking the methotrexate

anyways and the fact that she doesn't technically have RA makes me

feel like she needs a really really good second opinion. If anyone

knows the name of someone who's really good, could you please post?

Thanks.

[Guest guest]

>

> Hi everyone,

>

> I'm wondering if any of you are in the Boston area. I am trying to

> find a really good rheumatoid doc for my Mom because her doc wants to

> start her on methotrexate (sp?) even though she clinically does not

> have rheumatoid (her blood work had been tested over and over for

> about 1.5 years and does not show it, but she definitely has the

> symptoms, specifically in her fingers and neck and it is now starting

> to spread to her knees). She is nervous about taking the methotrexate

> anyways and the fact that she doesn't technically have RA makes me

> feel like she needs a really really good second opinion. If anyone

> knows the name of someone who's really good, could you please post?

> Thanks.

>

>

>

--

Can't help you with the doctor issue...

But, like a, I'm sero-negative. In fact, all my blood work comes

back great. Even my ESR rate (used to indicate inflamation) is will

with in normal bounds.

But, I definitely have RA and visible swelling. My fingers and my

ankles are the worst. Wrists and knees not far behind.

I started MTX last October--was scared to death to do it, but it was

definitely the best choice for me. I'm currently taking 15mg/week

along with 10 mg/week of leucovorin. I'm feeling much better now--and

luckily for me, I don't suffer from any of the side effects others

have on MTX--not even fatigue the next day.

I wish your mom the best of luck with her decision--and if she does

decide to try the MTX route, I hope her experiences will be the same

as mine.

Good luck with your doctor search!

dordale