Re: Test results negative...

[Guest guest]

Hi Amy:

I was diagnosed about 8 weeks ago despite the fact that all my blood work came

back

normal. My rheumatologist (who I have treated with for years for fibromyalgia)

explained

that approximately 20 to 30% people test negative for the RA factor. She termed

it

'seronegative RA " . She told me that there are other criteria to make the

diagnosis of RA, as

follows:

1. Morning stiffness of more than 1 hour.

2. Arthritis and soft tissue swelling of more than 3 of 14 joint groups (for me

it is my hands,

wrists, knees, ankles)

3. Symmetric arthritis (It occurs on both sides, i.e. both hands, both knees,

etc).

4. Arthritis of hand joints

Another factor in her mind is how well I responded to a 2 week course of

Prednisone.

I hope this helps.

Paige

[Guest guest]

thanks Paige, it does help -- based on these criteria I would

diagnose MYSELF (ha ha) with RA in a heartbeat.

I think I messed up the test results I posted a minute ago -- I

think it should be RF 17 and ANA negative -- I don't think they ran

the anti-CCP.

>

> Hi Amy:

>

> I was diagnosed about 8 weeks ago despite the fact that all my

blood work came back

> normal. My rheumatologist (who I have treated with for years for

fibromyalgia) explained

> that approximately 20 to 30% people test negative for the RA

factor. She termed it

> 'seronegative RA " . She told me that there are other criteria to

make the diagnosis of RA, as

> follows:

>

> 1. Morning stiffness of more than 1 hour.

> 2. Arthritis and soft tissue swelling of more than 3 of 14 joint

groups (for me it is my hands,

> wrists, knees, ankles)

> 3. Symmetric arthritis (It occurs on both sides, i.e. both hands,

both knees, etc).

> 4. Arthritis of hand joints

>

> Another factor in her mind is how well I responded to a 2 week

course of Prednisone.

>

> I hope this helps.

>

> Paige

>