Re: Going for THIRD opinion -question about Seroneg RA

[Guest guest]

Why didn't you go back to rheumy #1 and start a different treatment plan or

diagnosis?

*~ Kami ~*

[ ] Going for THIRD opinion -question about Seroneg RA

Was diagnosed with early stage RA a year ago by Rheumy#1 based on these

symptoms and test results: slightly elevated ESR, AST (liver enzymes),

Angiotensin Converting (ACE) and Rheu Factor, combined with major fatigue - (No

joint swelling) slight stiffness in hands/wrists/feet (since 2002, after birth

of 1st child). Did a chest X-ray to rule out sarcoid and the technician found

what appeared to be pneumonia instead. So I did some heavy antibiotics and was

started on the standard plaquinil dosage. I continued the plaquinil for six

months but instead of the hands/feet/wrists feeling better they actually got

slightly worse - still no visible signs of swelling though (and xrays look good

too). I stopped the plaquinil because I felt the elevated tests results were

probably related to the infection and I decided to get a second opinion.

Rheumy#2: My ESR, Rheumatoid Factor & AST were now in the normal range-

although the ACE was still slightly elevated. I continue to have stiffness of

the hands/wrists/feet/ankles. CRP Neg and the CCP IGG was neg also. This Rheumy

doesn't agree with RA diagnosis. Said she doesn't feel is Seroneg RA since I

don't have visible swelling and the stiffness has been ongoing for seven years.

So I will visit another Rheumy on Tuesday. Thank goodness for good health

insurance.

Do those of you out there with Seronegative RA have joint swelling?

[Guest guest]

hello, I have rheumotiod factor positve ra...You entitled to another

opinion...But my joints do not swell alot..and I dont have any erosions yet..I

do have a high rheu factor and high sedrate intially..I questioned my first

rheumy about the why I didnt have alot of joint swelling..he said I had enough

in my blood..I was diagnosed last year, and even seen a second rheumy with the

same diagnoses of ra..I am still not in remission...My symptoms actually got

worst before they improved with med changes also.. I have friend also, she

doesnt get alot of joint swelling ..But again get another opinion..Not everybody

is book classic symptoms..good luck

diane in ohio

[Guest guest]

Amber,

Did either rheumatologist mention fibromyalgia?

Swelling of the peripheral joints is the hallmark of rheumatoid

arthritis. It would hard to make the diagnosis it there hasn't been

any swelling of the joints in seven years.

Not an MD

On Sun, Mar 8, 2009 at 5:43 PM, Amber <welshclan@...> wrote:

> Was diagnosed with early stage RA a year ago by Rheumy#1 based on these

> symptoms and test results: slightly elevated ESR, AST (liver enzymes),

> Angiotensin Converting (ACE) and Rheu Factor, combined with major fatigue -

> (No joint swelling) slight stiffness in hands/wrists/feet (since 2002, after

> birth of 1st child). Did a chest X-ray to rule out sarcoid and the

> technician found what appeared to be pneumonia instead. So I did some heavy

> antibiotics and was started on the standard plaquinil dosage. I continued

> the plaquinil for six months but instead of the hands/feet/wrists feeling

> better they actually got slightly worse - still no visible signs of swelling

> though (and xrays look good too). I stopped the plaquinil because I felt the

> elevated tests results were probably related to the infection and I decided

> to get a second opinion.

>

> Rheumy#2: My ESR, Rheumatoid Factor & AST were now in the normal range-

> although the ACE was still slightly elevated. I continue to have stiffness

> of the hands/wrists/feet/ankles. CRP Neg and the CCP IGG was neg also. This

> Rheumy doesn't agree with RA diagnosis. Said she doesn't feel is Seroneg RA

> since I don't have visible swelling and the stiffness has been ongoing for

> seven years.

>

> So I will visit another Rheumy on Tuesday. Thank goodness for good health

> insurance.

>

> Do those of you out there with Seronegative RA have joint swelling?

[Guest guest]

Hi Amber - I agree - thank God for health insurance. I don't have any and its

been a challenge - to say the least. I also have Seronegative RA and yes, I do

have joint swelling with it. There are times with my hands especially that they

will look like sausages and when I extend them out, the skin will blanch and

look whiter at the joints. I pray you are able to get to the bottom of all this

and get on the appropriate treatment so that you will start feeling better.

Keep us posted.....Doreen

Was diagnosed with early stage RA a year ago by Rheumy#1 based on these

symptoms and test results: slightly elevated ESR, AST (liver enzymes),

Angiotensin Converting (ACE) and Rheu Factor, combined with major fatigue - (No

joint swelling) slight stiffness in hands/wrists/feet (since 2002, after birth

of 1st child). Did a chest X-ray to rule out sarcoid and the technician found

what appeared to be pneumonia instead. So I did some heavy antibiotics and was

started on the standard plaquinil dosage. I continued the plaquinil for six

months but instead of the hands/feet/wrists feeling better they actually got

slightly worse - still no visible signs of swelling though (and xrays look good

too). I stopped the plaquinil because I felt the elevated tests results were

probably related to the infection and I decided to get a second opinion.

Rheumy#2: My ESR, Rheumatoid Factor & AST were now in the normal range-

although the ACE was still slightly elevated. I continue to have stiffness of

the hands/wrists/feet/ankles. CRP Neg and the CCP IGG was neg also. This

Rheumy doesn't agree with RA diagnosis. Said she doesn't feel is Seroneg RA

since I don't have visible swelling and the stiffness has been ongoing for seven

years.

So I will visit another Rheumy on Tuesday. Thank goodness for good health

insurance.

Do those of you out there with Seronegative RA have joint swelling?