Final word from my DR...no RA...!

[Guest guest]

Hi Gang,

I just got the final word from my Dr. yesterday. This was my visit

with Dr. DiSabatino in New Haven CT for a second opinion. After a

ton of questions, an exam, xrays and some final blood work, he is

sure, at this point, I do not have RA. He sees OA in my hands,

wrists, lower spine and left hip, but no indication of RA. I do have

a positive RA Factor which was the cause for the referal to him by my

Pulmonologist in the first place but, he feels it was a false

positive caused by my chronic Sarcoidosis.

This was very good news. I was surprised to get the word of the

positive RA Factor from my Pulmo back in November and, once I got

over the shock, was viewing it as a mixed blessing. Both

Immunosuppresents and Methotrexate are two of the treatments now

being used for Sarcoidosis. RA is treated early and aggessively in

hopes of preventing joint damage. Sarcoid however, is not treated

until you can not function without it. Often times this is after

major amounts of lung have been damaged. That sucks. But...that's

another Forum.

So, thank you all for being here and helping me through a time of

fear and questions. If the time comes that I do develop symptoms and

full blown RA, I know you are here. I hope you are all as well as

you can be and that each days finds you free of pain and full of

hope. Thank you, all.

Sooey