questions about ra and lupus - new member

[Guest guest]

Good morning everyone,

I posted a message a week or so ago, and I did not get a response, so

I thought I would try again.

My rheumatologist says I have arthritis, but he is not sure what type

of arthritis. I was wondering how long most of you waited for a

specific diagnosis.

My doctor is not ruling anything out. Both my rheumatoid factor and

ANA tests are negative. Has anyone received a diagnosis or rheumatoid

arthritis or lupus with negative blood tests? Can the tests change

over time?

Besides joint pain and fatigue has anyone experienced skin rashes,

hands falling asleep, intermittent sore throat and fever and constant

swelling in feet, ankles and hands?

Thanks for your time.

Jodi

[Guest guest]

Thank you for responding, Babs.

Jodi

>

> Hi Jodi

>

> Welcome to the group. I don't post that often but I noticed your

request. It

> took almost 5 years to get an accurate diagnosis for me. The

doctor said I had

> fibro, then lupus, finally RA (after I actually suffered some

damage to my

> joints). So many illnesses/conditions are similar, it really does

take awhile to

> figure it out.

>

> Take Care

> Babs

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Tess,

Thank you for the information. I feel better knowing I am not alone

or crazy.

Jodi

--- In , " Grammi B " <grammi_love@...>

wrote:

>

> Hi Jodi...I was dx with sero negative lupus/mixed connective

tissue disease in 1980. The rheumatologists did not 'settle' on

rheumatoid arthritis until 1998 or so, and still talk about some

other dx's. I had all the symptoms you mentioned...the

hands 'falling asleep' turned out to be carpal tunnel for me, and

surgery fixed both 100%. But all the rest were ever present. I

know it is discouraging to not know what in the world is going on.

Sadly, that seems to be the norm with many autoimmune diseases...it

often takes years to have a definite dx. That doesn't mean that you

cannot receive some effective treatments, though. You 'just' need a

really good rheumatologist. My very best to you on this journey.

>

> Gentle hugs...

>

> Tess

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

,

That is good to know. I appreciate the feedback.

Jodi

> Hi Jodi...I was dx with sero negative lupus/mixed

connective tissue disease in 1980. The rheumatologists did

not 'settle' on rheumatoid arthritis until 1998 or so, and still

talk about some other dx's. I had all the symptoms you

mentioned...the hands 'falling asleep' turned out to be carpal

tunnel for me, and surgery fixed both 100%. But all the rest were

ever present. I know it is discouraging to not know what in the

world is going on. Sadly, that seems to be the norm with many

autoimmune diseases...it often takes years to have a definite dx.

That doesn't mean that you cannot receive some effective treatments,

though. You 'just' need a really good rheumatologist. My very best

to you on this journey.

>

> Gentle hugs...

>

> Tess

>

>

[Guest guest]

Semalee,

Is itching part of the RA?

Jodi

>

> I have a negative rheumatoid factor and have Rheumatoid

Arthritis. I think

> my Rheumatoid factor was positive when I was diagnosed when I was

10, but it

> is negative now and I feel worse now, so that is not the factor of

pain

> level for me! My knuckles, wrists, toes, feet and ankles all

swell up,

> itch, hurt and get stiff.

>

>

>

>

>

> Love and Peace,

>

> Semalee

>

> My Blog:

>

> http://jellodoesntnail.blogspot.com

>

> My webpage:

>

> http://360./considerablewellness

>

> Words to live by:

>

> " A meaningful life will not be found in the next job or the next

car. The

> way you get meaning in your life is to devote yourself to helping

others and

> creating something that gives you purpose. "

> Morrie Schwartz

>

> _____

>

> From: [mailto:RA-

SUPPORT ] On

> Behalf Of Jodi

> Sent: Friday, July 07, 2006 7:19 AM

>

> Subject: [ ] questions about ra and lupus - new member

>

>

>

> Good morning everyone,

>

> I posted a message a week or so ago, and I did not get a response,

so

> I thought I would try again.

>

> My rheumatologist says I have arthritis, but he is not sure what

type

> of arthritis. I was wondering how long most of you waited for a

> specific diagnosis.

>

> My doctor is not ruling anything out. Both my rheumatoid factor

and

> ANA tests are negative. Has anyone received a diagnosis or

rheumatoid

> arthritis or lupus with negative blood tests? Can the tests change

> over time?

>

> Besides joint pain and fatigue has anyone experienced skin rashes,

> hands falling asleep, intermittent sore throat and fever and

constant

> swelling in feet, ankles and hands?

>

> Thanks for your time.

>

> Jodi

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Semalee,

Is itching part of the RA?

Jodi

>

> I have a negative rheumatoid factor and have Rheumatoid

Arthritis. I think

> my Rheumatoid factor was positive when I was diagnosed when I was

10, but it

> is negative now and I feel worse now, so that is not the factor of

pain

> level for me! My knuckles, wrists, toes, feet and ankles all

swell up,

> itch, hurt and get stiff.

>

>

>

>

>

> Love and Peace,

>

> Semalee

>

> My Blog:

>

> http://jellodoesntnail.blogspot.com

>

> My webpage:

>

> http://360./considerablewellness

>

> Words to live by:

>

> " A meaningful life will not be found in the next job or the next

car. The

> way you get meaning in your life is to devote yourself to helping

others and

> creating something that gives you purpose. "

> Morrie Schwartz

>

> _____

>

> From: [mailto:RA-

SUPPORT ] On

> Behalf Of Jodi

> Sent: Friday, July 07, 2006 7:19 AM

>

> Subject: [ ] questions about ra and lupus - new member

>

>

>

> Good morning everyone,

>

> I posted a message a week or so ago, and I did not get a response,

so

> I thought I would try again.

>

> My rheumatologist says I have arthritis, but he is not sure what

type

> of arthritis. I was wondering how long most of you waited for a

> specific diagnosis.

>

> My doctor is not ruling anything out. Both my rheumatoid factor

and

> ANA tests are negative. Has anyone received a diagnosis or

rheumatoid

> arthritis or lupus with negative blood tests? Can the tests change

> over time?

>

> Besides joint pain and fatigue has anyone experienced skin rashes,

> hands falling asleep, intermittent sore throat and fever and

constant

> swelling in feet, ankles and hands?

>

> Thanks for your time.

>

> Jodi

>

>

>

>

>

>