Guest guest Posted February 2, 2008 Report Share Posted February 2, 2008 Thanks ! savannahhipchick <lfriedman5@...> wrote: Hi , I forgot to mention that my anti-ccp has been and still is negative. I read that RA with negative anti-ccp is associated with milder disease. Then I read another journal which said that is not the case. Whatever. I've had pallindromic episodes of stiff hands since I was 24, now I'm 46. I'm going to get another consult. Thanks again . F > > Hi, > > > > If rheumatoid factor does not reflect disease activity, how do you know if the meds are > > working? Just subjective reporting? The swelling in my fingers is super subtle, most > > people would not even see it. > > > > I have the impression that most people here are not fans of minocycline therapy. I feel like > > I'm between a rock and a hard place with med options. First because I have chronic kidney > > disease and secondly because I work on an airplane. If you don't already know, they are > > one of the most infectious places on earth. > > > > The rheummy I saw last week had put one lady with Scleroderma into remission with > > minocycline. Not sure if she is still in remission. My RA really kicked in after my hip > > replacement surgery. I guess any major biologic event could push flush it out. > > > > My internist, whom I love and adore, told me not to go on mtx yet. He still thinks there is > > a chance it could be fibro. My RF is a few points above normal but I am waking up with > > stiff hands. On the other hand, my RF was a few points above normal 5 years ago and I > > have not been on any meds and have no visible damage on x-ray other than osteo- > > arthritis. > > > > Is it possible to RA for 5 years and not have any x-ray changes? I know y'all are not > > doctors but I find that patients with the disease often are just as informed. > > > > Thanks, > > > > > ltdavis_jrdavis@... --------------------------------- Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 2, 2008 Report Share Posted February 2, 2008 If someone in your family has RA, then anyone in your family can have RA. Just because they test positive for the RA factor does not mean they have RA the disease. In fact, everyone in your family might test positive for RA but only if it is elevated do you have RA. Both my grandmother and her mother had it. My cousin has it, now I have it. There are other people in my family who tested positive however the levels were low. Therefore they do not have RA. The Dr checks to what level your numbers are elevated. Different labs do the test differently. The bottom line is, just because you have the RA factor does not mean you have RA. > > > Hi, > > > > > > If rheumatoid factor does not reflect disease activity, how do you know if the meds > are > > > working? Just subjective reporting? The swelling in my fingers is super subtle, most > > > people would not even see it. > > > > > > I have the impression that most people here are not fans of minocycline therapy. I feel > like > > > I'm between a rock and a hard place with med options. First because I have chronic > kidney > > > disease and secondly because I work on an airplane. If you don't already know, they > are > > > one of the most infectious places on earth. > > > > > > The rheummy I saw last week had put one lady with Scleroderma into remission with > > > minocycline. Not sure if she is still in remission. My RA really kicked in after my hip > > > replacement surgery. I guess any major biologic event could push flush it out. > > > > > > My internist, whom I love and adore, told me not to go on mtx yet. He still thinks > there is > > > a chance it could be fibro. My RF is a few points above normal but I am waking up > with > > > stiff hands. On the other hand, my RF was a few points above normal 5 years ago and > I > > > have not been on any meds and have no visible damage on x-ray other than osteo- > > > arthritis. > > > > > > Is it possible to RA for 5 years and not have any x-ray changes? I know y'all are not > > > doctors but I find that patients with the disease often are just as informed. > > > > > > Thanks, > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ltdavis_jrdavis@... > > --------------------------------- > Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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