Guest guest Posted January 20, 2007 Report Share Posted January 20, 2007 Does anyone have seronegative RA? My pcp has recently diagnosed me with this. He said the xray and clinicial presentation definitely look like RA to him but my lab work is all normal. (he also took it 4 days following 2 rounds of steroids) He is referring me to a rheumatologist. Don't have that appointment yet. I will be honest, I am kind of scared of the side effects of the rheumatoid meds but also understand their benefits far out weigh the side effects. I guess I am just going thru a lot of emotional changes with this. Any good suggestions from anyone? in OK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 21, 2007 Report Share Posted January 21, 2007 , Many people in our group have seronegative RA. Please make that appointment with a rheumatologist. You're right that, generally speaking, the benefits of DMARDs outweigh the risks. Also, early treatment is very important, especially if you already have x-ray changes typical of RA. It's normal to feel apprehensive, uncertain, or that this is a time of upheaval. Share these feelings with your physicians. They should be able to reassure you. Good luck! Not an MD [ ] Seronegative RA > Does anyone have seronegative RA? > My pcp has recently diagnosed me with this. He said the xray and > clinicial presentation definitely look like RA to him but my lab work > is all normal. (he also took it 4 days following 2 rounds of steroids) > He is referring me to a rheumatologist. Don't have that appointment > yet. I will be honest, I am kind of scared of the side effects of the > rheumatoid meds but also understand their benefits far out weigh the > side effects. I guess I am just going thru a lot of emotional changes > with this. Any good suggestions from anyone? > > in OK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 21, 2007 Report Share Posted January 21, 2007 I also have seronegative RA. But my symptoms add up to RA, MAke that rheumy appt!! Its very important. youll feel better once you talk to the rheumy! Stacey --- <Matsumura_Clan@...> wrote: > , > > Many people in our group have seronegative RA. > > Please make that appointment with a rheumatologist. > You're right that, > generally speaking, the benefits of DMARDs outweigh > the risks. Also, early > treatment is very important, especially if you > already have x-ray changes > typical of RA. > > It's normal to feel apprehensive, uncertain, or that > this is a time of > upheaval. Share these feelings with your physicians. > They should be able to > reassure you. > > Good luck! > > > > > Not an MD > > > [ ] Seronegative RA > > > > Does anyone have seronegative RA? > > My pcp has recently diagnosed me with this. He > said the xray and > > clinicial presentation definitely look like RA to > him but my lab work > > is all normal. (he also took it 4 days following 2 > rounds of steroids) > > He is referring me to a rheumatologist. Don't > have that appointment > > yet. I will be honest, I am kind of scared of the > side effects of the > > rheumatoid meds but also understand their benefits > far out weigh the > > side effects. I guess I am just going thru a lot > of emotional changes > > with this. Any good suggestions from anyone? > > > > in OK > > ________________________________________________________________________________\ ____ Any questions? Get answers on any topic at www.Answers.. Try it now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 21, 2007 Report Share Posted January 21, 2007 , I have seronegative RA. Even though my blood work is all normal, x-rays and MRI's showed bone destruction, plus rheumatoid nodules and a side effect of RA called Felty's Syndrome. Make the appointment!! It is important to treat RA as soon as possible for better outcomes and hopefully remission. I know reading about the side effects of meds can be scary, but living life with RA better is the goal. Meredith in Canada ladybuglady68 wrote: > > Does anyone have seronegative RA? > My pcp has recently diagnosed me with this. He said the xray and > clinicial presentation definitely look like RA to him but my lab work > is all normal. (he also took it 4 days following 2 rounds of steroids) > He is referring me to a rheumatologist. Don't have that appointment > yet. I will be honest, I am kind of scared of the side effects of the > rheumatoid meds but also understand their benefits far out weigh the > side effects. I guess I am just going thru a lot of emotional changes > with this. Any good suggestions from anyone? > > in OK > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 21, 2007 Report Share Posted January 21, 2007 , I developed RA in July 2006. I am also seronegative, was diagnoised on symptoms and how I responded to the prednisone. I started on Methotrexate only 1 week and a half ago, and guess what I haven't had any side effects yet. I was also very scared to start these drugs as there are many that I can not tolerate (penicillen). The only thing that you can do to help yourself is to get treatment started early. I was in a rheumatologists office during the year and was shocked to see some of the deformities that this disease can deliver. Please keep that appointment. Good Luck Pennie [ ] Seronegative RA > > > > Does anyone have seronegative RA? > > My pcp has recently diagnosed me with this. He > said the xray and > > clinicial presentation definitely look like RA to > him but my lab work > > is all normal. (he also took it 4 days following 2 > rounds of steroids) > > He is referring me to a rheumatologist. Don't > have that appointment > > yet. I will be honest, I am kind of scared of the > side effects of the > > rheumatoid meds but also understand their benefits > far out weigh the > > side effects. I guess I am just going thru a lot > of emotional changes > > with this. Any good suggestions from anyone? > > > > in OK > > ____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _ Any questions? Get answers on any topic at www.Answers. . Try it now. Send instant messages to your online friends http://au.messenger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 21, 2007 Report Share Posted January 21, 2007 Meredith, what are your symptoms for Felty's Syndrome? Sue On Sunday, January 21, 2007, at 03:01 PM, Meredith Pinkerton wrote: > > I have seronegative RA. Even though my blood work is all normal, > x-rays > and MRI's showed bone destruction, plus rheumatoid nodules and a side > effect of RA called Felty's Syndrome. Make the appointment!! It is > important to treat RA as soon as possible for better outcomes and > hopefully remission. I know reading about the side effects of meds can > be scary, but living life with RA better is the goal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 23, 2007 Report Share Posted January 23, 2007 In my town in Wyoming, there is only one RA doctor , the next nearest is four hours away.....I am not happy with my situation but can't help it. I am now off the prednisone (my choice,not the doctors) and am on ENBREL with really good results, at least for now...Kitt > Does anyone have seronegative RA? > My pcp has recently diagnosed me with this. He said the xray and > clinicial presentation definitely look like RA to him but my lab work > is all normal. (he also took it 4 days following 2 rounds of steroids) > He is referring me to a rheumatologist. Don't have that appointment > yet. I will be honest, I am kind of scared of the side effects of the > rheumatoid meds but also understand their benefits far out weigh the > side effects. I guess I am just going thru a lot of emotional changes > with this. Any good suggestions from anyone? > > in OK > > > > > > > --------------------------------- > Sucker-punch spam with award-winning protection. > Try the free Beta. > > --------------------------------- > Need a quick answer? Get one in minutes from people who know. Ask your question on Answers. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 23, 2007 Report Share Posted January 23, 2007 --- In , " ladybuglady68 " <valerie3968@...> wrote: > > Does anyone have seronegative RA? > My pcp has recently diagnosed me with this. He said the xray and > clinicial presentation definitely look like RA to him but my lab work > is all normal. (he also took it 4 days following 2 rounds of steroids) > He is referring me to a rheumatologist. Don't have that appointment > yet. I will be honest, I am kind of scared of the side effects of the > rheumatoid meds but also understand their benefits far out weigh the > side effects. I guess I am just going thru a lot of emotional changes > with this. Any good suggestions from anyone? > > in OK > -- I'm another one with seronegative RA. My bloodwork has always come back completely normal (except for my sed rate was a tad high when I was first diagnosed--got up to 32; 20 is considered normal.) Now, that is even well within the normal range. Even though I'm seronegative, prior to beginning treatment, I had fairly severe swelling in my hands, wrists, ankles, feet and knees. I also had problems with my hips and shoulders. I've been on MTX (15 mg/week) for about 1 year and 3 months now. I've responded well to the MTX and don't have any side effects--except maybe a little bit of tiredness the next day. My doctor added Enbrel to my mix about four months ago. Although I thought I was doing well, I still had swelling and minor joint damage was already showing up on the x-rays. I feel really lucky to find a doctor who takes my disease seriously and is willing to treat me agressively even though I'm sero-negative. I know the side effects of the medicine can be scary. But remember, doctors will only perscribe them if they think the benefits outweigh the risks. And you can always stop taking the meds if they are producing unwanted side effects. On the other hand, once your joints are damaged, they're damaged. Make the appointment with the Rheumatologist! Good luck-- dordale Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 24, 2007 Report Share Posted January 24, 2007 Hi Patty I do research, I have explored every bit of info on RA that I can, I read all the magazines. My dr started me on plaquinil also, I took it for a week, it made me sick, then I went to get a routine eye exam, and the eye dr told me that this med could cause me to lose my sight. I stopped taking it. I hate the prednisone because of the side effects, and it does not help me anyway. It did at first. Kitt > > Does anyone have seronegative RA? > > My pcp has recently diagnosed me with this. He said the xray and > > clinicial presentation definitely look like RA to him but my lab > work > > is all normal. (he also took it 4 days following 2 rounds of > steroids) > > He is referring me to a rheumatologist. Don't have that appointment > > yet. I will be honest, I am kind of scared of the side effects of > the > > rheumatoid meds but also understand their benefits far out weigh > the > > side effects. I guess I am just going thru a lot of emotional > changes > > with this. Any good suggestions from anyone? > > > > in OK > > > > > > > > > > > > > > --------------------------------- > > Sucker-punch spam with award-winning protection. > > Try the free Beta. > > > > --------------------------------- > > Need a quick answer? Get one in minutes from people who know. Ask > your question on Answers. > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 24, 2007 Report Share Posted January 24, 2007 HI Kit and Pattie~ I too have seronegative RA. I am also on Plaquenil. I worked in the eye care field for 10+ yrs before going out on disablity due to my health. Just for everyone's information that is on Plaquenil; the risk of eye related problems is very very rare. At one point we were seeing our Plaq pts every six months; then the American Academy of Ophthal moved it back to once a year. As long as you have your regular eye exam and a special test called Visual Field you will be fine. Your eye doctor will catch any problem that might arise due to Plaquenil use. Your biggest eye problem that any of us may face will be cataracts due to steriod use; and if we all live long enough we are going to get them with age anyhow. That is a simple surgery that takes the cataract out and puts a lens implant in place. I have small cataracts from birth; and never would have known had I not worked in teh field. As frustrated as I am right now and feeling really bad; alot of pain I am in right now.....the benefits of Plaquenil use outweighs the risks. It will take a few weeks to feel the benefit of this medication. I hope this was some help to any of you questioning the use of this drug. It is one of the most widely used drugs to treat RA/Lupus. In all my yrs in eye care I have never seen any of our pts have to stop their meds due to eye problems. If I can be of anymore help with any eye questions I will try to answer them; if I cant answer them I will point you in the direction that you need to go. Gentle Hugs, > > > Does anyone have seronegative RA? > > > My pcp has recently diagnosed me with this. He said the xray and > > > clinicial presentation definitely look like RA to him but my lab > > work > > > is all normal. (he also took it 4 days following 2 rounds of > > steroids) > > > He is referring me to a rheumatologist. Don't have that > appointment > > > yet. I will be honest, I am kind of scared of the side effects > of > > the > > > rheumatoid meds but also understand their benefits far out weigh > > the > > > side effects. I guess I am just going thru a lot of emotional > > changes > > > with this. Any good suggestions from anyone? > > > > > > in OK > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > --------------------------------- > > > Sucker-punch spam with award-winning protection. > > > Try the free Beta. > > > > > > --------------------------------- > > > Need a quick answer? Get one in minutes from people who know. > Ask > > your question on Answers. > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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