Re: Questions from the clueless

[Guest guest]

,

I was newly diagnosed with RA in November. I have only physical

symptons. My ANA is slightly elevated, but all the other tests,

including x-rays, were normal. Because I have some slight swelling

and pain in my fingers and toes that are symptomatic of RA, my

rheumatologist decided to put me on medication for RA. She said in

this country (Uunited States) doctors don't often see people in the

early stages of RA. There is quite a long wait between seeing your

primary care physician and then being able to see a rheumatologist.

She said she hasn't seen many early stage RA people, but she thought

I was probably one of them and is treating me as such. The earlier

they can give you meds, the better. I'm glad she feels this way,

because I am feeling so much better since being on Plaquenil! I am

able to do more than I was before.

>

> My doc said last week he thought I had RA. This week I got the

results

> of the tests, and they are all negative. He sent me for a test

called

> ANA. I think I missed something. I thought they could DX RA

visually,

> then confirm with bloodwork. So if all the blood work is WNL, what

is

> the other test for, really, and how is he supposed to identify the

> problem with nothing else to go on but physical symptoms? Im so

> Confused! Help!

>

> Thanks,

>

>

[Guest guest]

,

Rheumatoid arthritis is largely a clinical diagnosis. At this time, no one

lab test can rule RA in or out. Recent research seems to indicate that the

anti-CCP test may be more specific to RA than the rheumatoid factor (RF)

test. Did you have that one?

The ANA test can be positive in people with various connective tissue

diseases and even in seemingly healthy people. If it is negative, it is very

unlikely that a patient has lupus.

a has a very useful page on the laboratory tests at her site:

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

[ ] Questions from the clueless

> My doc said last week he thought I had RA. This week I got the results

> of the tests, and they are all negative. He sent me for a test called

> ANA. I think I missed something. I thought they could DX RA visually,

> then confirm with bloodwork. So if all the blood work is WNL, what is

> the other test for, really, and how is he supposed to identify the

> problem with nothing else to go on but physical symptoms? Im so

> Confused! Help!

>

> Thanks,

>

[Guest guest]

, Thank You very much for the info and the links. I think Im starting to

understand. Doesn't do much for the antsy frustration of not knowing what my

little problem is, but the tests make sense now.

<Matsumura_Clan@...> wrote: ,

Rheumatoid arthritis is largely a clinical diagnosis. At this time, no one

lab test can rule RA in or out. Recent research seems to indicate that the

anti-CCP test may be more specific to RA than the rheumatoid factor (RF)

test. Did you have that one?

The ANA test can be positive in people with various connective tissue

diseases and even in seemingly healthy people. If it is negative, it is very

unlikely that a patient has lupus.

a has a very useful page on the laboratory tests at her site:

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

[ ] Questions from the clueless

> My doc said last week he thought I had RA. This week I got the results

> of the tests, and they are all negative. He sent me for a test called

> ANA. I think I missed something. I thought they could DX RA visually,

> then confirm with bloodwork. So if all the blood work is WNL, what is

> the other test for, really, and how is he supposed to identify the

> problem with nothing else to go on but physical symptoms? Im so

> Confused! Help!

>

> Thanks,

>

[Guest guest]

Hi, guess there must be more than one on board. I don't mind

simplifying things a bit by signing myself out as Alice or

from Alaska. Speaking of which, there is NO Rheumatologist within a

couple hundred miles of where we live.

Mebbe, now that The Judge with SSI Disability has granted my petition

(for Depression Disorders) I can afford to go to a big Clinic.

Thanks for the info

from Alaska

http://maryals.blogspot.com/

On Jan 15, 2006, at 5:13 AM, wrote:

> ,

>

> Rheumatoid arthritis is largely a clinical diagnosis. At this time,

> no one

> lab test can rule RA in or out. Recent research seems to indicate

> that the

> anti-CCP test may be more specific to RA than the rheumatoid factor

> (RF)

> test. Did you have that one?

>

> The ANA test can be positive in people with various connective tissue

> diseases and even in seemingly healthy people. If it is negative,

> it is very

> unlikely that a patient has lupus.

>

>

> a has a very useful page on the laboratory tests at her site:

>

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

>

>

> [ ] Questions from the clueless

>

>

> > My doc said last week he thought I had RA. This week I got the

> results

> > of the tests, and they are all negative. He sent me for a test

> called

> > ANA. I think I missed something. I thought they could DX RA

> visually,

> > then confirm with bloodwork. So if all the blood work is WNL,

> what is

> > the other test for, really, and how is he supposed to identify the

> > problem with nothing else to go on but physical symptoms? Im so

> > Confused! Help!

> >

> > Thanks,

> >

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I, too, am in Alaska. You're right, rheumies are hard to come by. Where

are you? I'm in Two rivers.

Yanosz Descouedresz

Email:

yanosz@...

On :

yanoszd

The Road goes ever on and on

Down from the door where it began.

Now far ahead the Road has gone,

And I must follow, if I can,

Pursuing it with eager feet,

Until it joins some larger way

Where many paths and errands meet.

And whither then? I cannot say.

[ ] Questions from the clueless

> >

> >

> > > My doc said last week he thought I had RA. This week I got the

> > results

> > > of the tests, and they are all negative. He sent me for a test

> > called

> > > ANA. I think I missed something. I thought they could DX RA

> > visually,

> > > then confirm with bloodwork. So if all the blood work is WNL,

> > what is

> > > the other test for, really, and how is he supposed to identify the

> > > problem with nothing else to go on but physical symptoms? Im so

> > > Confused! Help!

> > >

> > > Thanks,

> > >

> >

> >

> >