Guest guest Posted February 1, 2009 Report Share Posted February 1, 2009 Jeana, My hands are not affected at all by RA. Mine is more in my hip joints and sacral-iliac (tailbone) joint. Recently, I had a really bad flare in my jaw muscles. I know there is a specific name for arthritis in the neck, but it escapes me at the moment. Many people suffer from bulging discs, so that may or may not be part of the RA. My RA was diagnosed from symptoms only, not from bloodwork. As of yet, it's 'normal high' in my bloodwork. So I don't have an answer about high turbids. Someone else here does, I am sure. G I am 56 years old. About 6 months ago, I was diagnosed with RA based on a high sed rate and high RA turbid. Normal is 0-13, I was 24. My sed rate was around 40. The doctor sent me to a rheumatologist and he decided that I did not have RA because my hands are not affected. The areas affected are my neck and spine. I also have degenerative disc disease. Last but not least, I do have a buldging disc in C-5. The rheumatologist I saw did not spend much time with me so I do not know if I have RA or not. I do not have insurance so it would be difficult to get another rheumatologist appointment. The pain is severe especially if I do too much. I also have extreme muscle pain mostly on my left side. My questions are: If the bloodwork is elevated does that mean you definitely have RA? Are the hands ALWAYS affected? If I do not have RA, why would the RA turbid be high? Thanks for any info. jeana Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 1, 2009 Report Share Posted February 1, 2009 Sometimes the 'rules' of RA presentation are not followed and doctors don't want to stick their necks out. My RA hasn't been in my joints, it's primarily in the muscles and tendons of my body. It's also very prevalent with my fatigue. Even I can't always figure out what is going on, if it's the RA or Fibro, or just growing old. You will have to follow the lead your body gives you, not according to the 'rules'. The 'rules' don't always apply. Dennis in eastexsas On Sun, Feb 1, 2009 at 7:37 PM, Jeana <jeana852@...> wrote: > > I am 56 years old. About 6 months ago, I was diagnosed with RA based on > a high sed rate and high RA turbid. Normal is 0-13, I was 24. My sed > rate was around 40. > > The doctor sent me to a rheumatologist and he decided that I did not > have RA because my hands are not affected. The areas affected are my > neck and spine. I also have degenerative disc disease. Last but not > least, I do have a buldging disc in C-5. > > The rheumatologist I saw did not spend much time with me so I do not > know if I have RA or not. I do not have insurance so it would be > difficult to get another rheumatologist appointment. > > The pain is severe especially if I do too much. I also have extreme > muscle pain mostly on my left side. > > My questions are: If the bloodwork is elevated does that mean you > definitely have RA? > > Are the hands ALWAYS affected? > > If I do not have RA, why would the RA turbid be high? > > Thanks for any info. > > jeana > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 2, 2009 Report Share Posted February 2, 2009 I have a lot of issues with my upper body and my hands are always affected. However, recently there have been a lot of posts with people who have issues with their lower body, hips and knees, it effects everyone differently, it seems we all get to share the pain. I am 56 as well and what you describe is simular to my symptoms when I initiatally was diagnosed. I also had to do this without insurance, so it becomes serious business very fast since all these tests and appointments are very expensive. So you have to look people in the eye and let them know this is not a game. Unfortunately, your blood work also sounds simular to mine so I'd recommend you get another opinion, if in fact it is RA it's not going to get better. Stan, Seattle, Sun Breaks. -------------- Original message -------------- From: " Jeana " <jeana852@...> I am 56 years old. About 6 months ago, I was diagnosed with RA based on a high sed rate and high RA turbid. Normal is 0-13, I was 24. My sed rate was around 40. The doctor sent me to a rheumatologist and he decided that I did not have RA because my hands are not affected. The areas affected are my neck and spine. I also have degenerative disc disease. Last but not least, I do have a buldging disc in C-5. The rheumatologist I saw did not spend much time with me so I do not know if I have RA or not. I do not have insurance so it would be difficult to get another rheumatologist appointment. The pain is severe especially if I do too much. I also have extreme muscle pain mostly on my left side. My questions are: If the bloodwork is elevated does that mean you definitely have RA? Are the hands ALWAYS affected? If I do not have RA, why would the RA turbid be high? Thanks for any info. jeana Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 2, 2009 Report Share Posted February 2, 2009 RA started for me in my feet and then moved up my body. It wasn't until things progressed that my hands were affected. I wish it was still in my lower body, LOL! It's not much fun having trouble using your hands. I know that you don't have insurance, but I think it would be worthwhile getting a second opinion. If you do have RA, you don't want to waste time starting your treatment. Lori http://home.comcast.net/~queenstitcher/ http://stitchingqueen.multiply.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 2, 2009 Report Share Posted February 2, 2009 I only had RA in one small place. It was the space between my hair and toenails. The rest of me was really good. Dennis in eastexas On Mon, Feb 2, 2009 at 10:23 AM, Stitching Queen <queenstitcher@...>wrote: > RA started for me in my feet and then moved up my body. It wasn't until > things progressed that my hands were affected. I wish it was still in my > lower body, LOL! It's not much fun having trouble using your hands. I know > that you don't have insurance, but I think it would be worthwhile getting a > second opinion. If you do have RA, you don't want to waste time starting > your treatment. > Lori > http://home.comcast.net/~queenstitcher/<http://home.comcast.net/%7Equeenstitcher\ /> > http://stitchingqueen.multiply.com > . > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 2, 2009 Report Share Posted February 2, 2009 Good one, Dennis! Sue On Feb 2, 2009, at 7:57 PM, Dennis W wrote: > I only had RA in one small place. It was the space between my hair and > toenails. The rest of me was really good. > > Dennis in eastexas > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 2, 2009 Report Share Posted February 2, 2009 Hello, Jeana. It's important to keep in mind that a positive RF and sed rate are not specific to RA. They both can be positive for many reasons. RF and sed rate do not rule RA in or out. In RA, the hands are usually affected, most often early in the disease course. Not an MD On Sun, Feb 1, 2009 at 7:37 PM, Jeana <jeana852@...> wrote: > > I am 56 years old. About 6 months ago, I was diagnosed with RA based on > a high sed rate and high RA turbid. Normal is 0-13, I was 24. My sed > rate was around 40. > > The doctor sent me to a rheumatologist and he decided that I did not > have RA because my hands are not affected. The areas affected are my > neck and spine. I also have degenerative disc disease. Last but not > least, I do have a buldging disc in C-5. > > The rheumatologist I saw did not spend much time with me so I do not > know if I have RA or not. I do not have insurance so it would be > difficult to get another rheumatologist appointment. > > The pain is severe especially if I do too much. I also have extreme > muscle pain mostly on my left side. > > My questions are: If the bloodwork is elevated does that mean you > definitely have RA? > > Are the hands ALWAYS affected? > > If I do not have RA, why would the RA turbid be high? > > Thanks for any info. > > jeana Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 5, 2009 Report Share Posted February 5, 2009 Thanks for all the answers. Today was horrible as far as pain. Since I was feeling so badly, I decided to go have the RA test run again. I will see if it has changed. This was a new doctor for me and he things I do have it.. Another thing I have is extremely tight muscles especially in my left side. This is the area that bothers me most. I am thinking that if it is RA, I should have it equally on both sides. I do have pain in the right but not nearly as bad as the left... At this point whther it is RA or something else, it looks like a pain management doctor may be the best bet. I will let you know my scores. I hope I fail the RA part. ( have low scores and negative) > > > > I am 56 years old. About 6 months ago, I was diagnosed with RA based on > > a high sed rate and high RA turbid. Normal is 0-13, I was 24. My sed > > rate was around 40. > > > > The doctor sent me to a rheumatologist and he decided that I did not > > have RA because my hands are not affected. The areas affected are my > > neck and spine. I also have degenerative disc disease. Last but not > > least, I do have a buldging disc in C-5. > > > > The rheumatologist I saw did not spend much time with me so I do not > > know if I have RA or not. I do not have insurance so it would be > > difficult to get another rheumatologist appointment. > > > > The pain is severe especially if I do too much. I also have extreme > > muscle pain mostly on my left side. > > > > My questions are: If the bloodwork is elevated does that mean you > > definitely have RA? > > > > Are the hands ALWAYS affected? > > > > If I do not have RA, why would the RA turbid be high? > > > > Thanks for any info. > > > > jeana > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 5, 2009 Report Share Posted February 5, 2009 Jeana, Don't worry about your RA factor being positive or negative. It sounds like your doctors are diagnosising RA from your symptoms. Which is just as good and bloodwork. What is it?, about 20% of people never test positive. For most of us, it took a while for the RA factor to be positive. Myself, it was positive since my PCP thought I might have RA. Even with 8 years of treatment I got a score of 350. Oh, yes, RA does effect both sides of the body. RA does not have to be equally impacted by RA. If the muscles on the left side of your body there are several reasons for that. You may be overcompensating with the left side. You may have tendonitis on your left side more pronounced. RA affects many of the soft tissues, and tendons are just one of them. And it could be Fibro rearing it's ulgy head. Talk to your doctors about it. See if they recommend Physical Therapy or maybe some massage to work out the kinks. Give yourself some time with RA. In time you will be able to see for yourself what is " normal " for your body. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 5, 2009 Report Share Posted February 5, 2009 Unfortunately nothing about me has ever been normal!!! I did have a massage today and she did as much as possible without bruising me. She said I was one of the worse case she has seen. I am a survivor. I will overcome this what ever it is. Thanks for your input. jeana --- In , " cynthiadew1 " <cynthiadew1@...> wrote: > > Jeana, > > Don't worry about your RA factor being positive or negative. It > sounds like your doctors are diagnosising RA from your symptoms. > Which is just as good and bloodwork. What is it?, about 20% of > people never test positive. For most of us, it took a while for the > RA factor to be positive. Myself, it was positive since my PCP > thought I might have RA. Even with 8 years of treatment I got a > score of 350. > > Oh, yes, RA does effect both sides of the body. RA does not have to > be equally impacted by RA. If the muscles on the left side of your > body there are several reasons for that. You may be overcompensating > with the left side. You may have tendonitis on your left side more > pronounced. RA affects many of the soft tissues, and tendons are > just one of them. And it could be Fibro rearing it's ulgy head. > Talk to your doctors about it. See if they recommend Physical > Therapy or maybe some massage to work out the kinks. > > Give yourself some time with RA. In time you will be able to see for > yourself what is " normal " for your body. > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 6, 2009 Report Share Posted February 6, 2009 Jeana, You can ask for an anti-CCP test. It's more specific to RA than RF; however, no one test alone rules RA in or out. RA is largely a clinical diagnosis. About.com: Arthritis " How to recognize the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis " : http://arthritis.about.com/od/rheumatoidarthritis/a/ra_symptoms.htm Not an MD On Thu, Feb 5, 2009 at 6:31 PM, Jeana <jeana852@...> wrote: > Thanks for all the answers. Today was horrible as far as pain. Since > I was feeling so badly, I decided to go have the RA test run again. I > will see if it has changed. This was a new doctor for me and he > things I do have it.. Another thing I have is extremely tight > muscles especially in my left side. This is the area that bothers me > most. I am thinking that if it is RA, I should have it equally on > both sides. I do have pain in the right but not nearly as bad as the > left... > At this point whther it is RA or something else, it looks like a > pain management doctor may be the best bet. I will let you know my > scores. > I hope I fail the RA part. ( have low scores and negative) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 7, 2009 Report Share Posted February 7, 2009 I got my results back. I only talked to the nurse. He seemed a bit clueless. My RA factor was up, my sed rate was up and my ANA was up. I am not sure what other tests they ran. I will pick up the report Monday. A friend of mine's husband is a chirpractor. They live in another state and has never met me. His diagnosis is Polymyalgia rheumatica. It is not an autoimmune disorder. The symptoms fit more than the RA butat this point I do not know. Here is the link I looked at http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/polymyalgia- rheumatica/DS00441/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs The doctor who wants to do the bloodwork is setting up another rheumatoid appointment.We will see. In the meantime, I am going to run away to Florida on Tuesday. I will take lots of pain medicine and hopefully forget about the RA for now. > > Thanks for all the answers. Today was horrible as far as pain. Since > > I was feeling so badly, I decided to go have the RA test run again. I > > will see if it has changed. This was a new doctor for me and he > > things I do have it.. Another thing I have is extremely tight > > muscles especially in my left side. This is the area that bothers me > > most. I am thinking that if it is RA, I should have it equally on > > both sides. I do have pain in the right but not nearly as bad as the > > left... > > At this point whther it is RA or something else, it looks like a > > pain management doctor may be the best bet. I will let you know my > > scores. > > I hope I fail the RA part. ( have low scores and negative) > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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