Um, how important is bloodwork in my RA diagnosis?

[Guest guest]

I'm sorry to impose on you all again, so soon.

My bloodwork came back negative with the exception of a) there is one test

called CCP

which is supposed to " predict " whether or not you will develop RA (results still

pending)

and apparently my liver enzymes are up. My rheumatologists nurse called to

give me

the results and a message from my doctor: " Don't be alarmed "

So here I am.... alarmed. First, as much as my doctor told me that I don't need

a positive

RA factor or an elevated sed rate to confirm my diagnosis (apparently, I met

four other

criteria), after having endured years of skepticism when diagnosed with

Fibromyalgia, I

wanted something to hang up on my wall. Call me crazy, but I've had doctors

call me the

same thing when I first started complaining of Fibro pain.

My poor husband spent his day emailing me articles off the net showing that the

RA factor

doesn't make or break the RA diagnosis. My doctor cautioned me that it might

come back

negative as it does for many in early onset. I asked my poor dad (who has RA

rather badly

and is on Remicade) but the poor dear can't remember.

Liver enzymes: In September, I had a bad sinus infection which eventually

turned out to

be the need to have seven teeth extracted. I was infected in my jaw, as well.

I've been on

strong antibiotics for well over a month and just recently finished my last dose

after an

emergency root canal two weeks ago (yeah, bad month, indeed). I have also been

taking

narcotics for over a month, initially due to the teeth and then the flare up of

RA pain. My

doctor believes this has caused the elevated liver enzymes and wants to keep an

eye on it,

but nothing else at this point.

As an aside: Day three of Prednisone has me feeling about 60% better. The pain

in my

knees and ankles has improved. The hands, wrists and elbows are still in pain,

but I think

it's because I'm still working. Most importantly, I have a renewed sense of

energy and well

being. This stuff must be stong (which is why I must get off of it soon,

right?)

Please let me know your own experience and/or opinion with bloodwork and RA.

So many thanks....

[Guest guest]

Paige,

About the liver enzymes - if your physician said not to worry, then don't.

The blood tests can help make an RA diagnosis and guide treatment, but

neither the RF nor the anti-CCP must be positive. Some estimate that around

20% of RA patients are RF-negative.

Did your rheumatologist take any x-rays or MRIs of your hands and/or feet?

The reason that you would want to discontinue the prednisone as soon as

possible is because, used daily for an extended period, it can impair the

normal function of your adrenal glands. You might then become dependent on

it; it can be very difficult to taper off of it. Although it is very good at

bringing inflammation levels down in RA, prednisone is not a DMARD and there

are significant risks associated with long term use.

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

[ ] Um, how important is bloodwork in my RA diagnosis?

> I'm sorry to impose on you all again, so soon.

>

> My bloodwork came back negative with the exception of a) there is one test

> called CCP

> which is supposed to " predict " whether or not you will develop RA (results

> still pending)

> and apparently my liver enzymes are up. My rheumatologists nurse

> called to give me

> the results and a message from my doctor: " Don't be alarmed "

>

> So here I am.... alarmed. First, as much as my doctor told me that I

> don't need a positive

> RA factor or an elevated sed rate to confirm my diagnosis (apparently, I

> met four other

> criteria), after having endured years of skepticism when diagnosed with

> Fibromyalgia, I

> wanted something to hang up on my wall. Call me crazy, but I've had

> doctors call me the

> same thing when I first started complaining of Fibro pain.

>

> My poor husband spent his day emailing me articles off the net showing

> that the RA factor

> doesn't make or break the RA diagnosis. My doctor cautioned me that it

> might come back

> negative as it does for many in early onset. I asked my poor dad (who has

> RA rather badly

> and is on Remicade) but the poor dear can't remember.

>

> Liver enzymes: In September, I had a bad sinus infection which eventually

> turned out to

> be the need to have seven teeth extracted. I was infected in my jaw, as

> well. I've been on

> strong antibiotics for well over a month and just recently finished my

> last dose after an

> emergency root canal two weeks ago (yeah, bad month, indeed). I have

> also been taking

> narcotics for over a month, initially due to the teeth and then the flare

> up of RA pain. My

> doctor believes this has caused the elevated liver enzymes and wants to

> keep an eye on it,

> but nothing else at this point.

>

> As an aside: Day three of Prednisone has me feeling about 60% better.

> The pain in my

> knees and ankles has improved. The hands, wrists and elbows are still in

> pain, but I think

> it's because I'm still working. Most importantly, I have a renewed sense

> of energy and well

> being. This stuff must be stong (which is why I must get off of it soon,

> right?)

>

> Please let me know your own experience and/or opinion with bloodwork and

> RA.

>

> So many thanks....

[Guest guest]

Hi Paige,

As a clarification, CCP does predict RA anymore than having the breast

cancer means you will definitely get breast cancer. I understand why you alarmed

but your rheumy's nurse is right .... so far your test results don't sound too

bad. There are 6 symptoms for RA and you do have to have 4. I have all of the

symptoms except a negative rheumatoid factor & my symptoms are assymmetrical

instead of symmetrical. I, like you, and endured many doctors calling my crazy

or weird. I just saw my rheumy yesterday. He said RA is most often triggered by

an infection (your sinus infection) or traumatic experience (childbirth). For

me, my RA was triggered by a bout of uvitis (an eye infection).

Prednisone is good stuff ... but rememer it only helps control the

symptoms and can have long term side effects.

Take care,

Steph in VA

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