Guest guest Posted August 23, 2005 Report Share Posted August 23, 2005 I am almost positive that you can have RA without X-Rays showing damage. The idea is to treat it before you have severe joint damage. --- In Rheumatoid Arthritis , " theluvkats " <Theluvkats@a...> wrote: > My dr. thinks that I might have RA. The blood test showed at RA > factor of 37 but my x-rays looked negative. The aches in my hands and > fingers (more prominent in one hand) come and go. I had a painful gout > like pain in my foot about a month ago, although I am not the profile > of someone who would have gout. My dr. has referred me to a > rheumatologist. Might I still have RA if the x-rays came out > negative? Can the x-rays be negative in the beginning of the > disease? I am 37 years old and have had these symptoms for about 5 > months. Thank you very much for any help. I am learning a lot from > this group and your posts. > > -Kathy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 23, 2005 Report Share Posted August 23, 2005 The American College of Rheumatology has 7 criteria for diagnosing RA and having any 4 of them qualifies for a positive diagnosis. The disease can be difficult and time consuming to diagnose accurately in some people. 1. Morning stiffness, lasting for at least an hour, present daily for at least 6 weeks2. Arthritis of 3 or more joints, lasting for at least 6 weeks3. Arthritis of the hand joints, lasting for at least 6 weeks4. Symmetric arthritis, lasting for at least 6 weeks5. Rheumatoid nodules6. Positive rheumatoid factor (blood test)7. Joint changes on x-ray I was easy to diagnose because I had all the symptoms except morning stiffness. There are also over 100 different kinds of arthritis, some with very subtle differences, so that complicates a diagnosis. Also some diseases like hypothyroid and Lyme disease have symptoms similar to RA. I think it is more important to get effective treatment than it is to get a diagnosis so treatment often starts before the diagnosis is definite. Reaction to the treatment can often help with the diagnosis. I hope you get effective treatment soon, no matter what the diagnosis. God bless. ----- Original Message ----- From: theluvkats Rheumatoid Arthritis Sent: Monday, August 22, 2005 6:47 AM Subject: New iwith questions My dr. thinks that I might have RA. The blood test showed at RA factor of 37 but my x-rays looked negative. The aches in my hands and fingers (more prominent in one hand) come and go. I had a painful gout like pain in my foot about a month ago, although I am not the profile of someone who would have gout. My dr. has referred me to a rheumatologist. Might I still have RA if the x-rays came out negative? Can the x-rays be negative in the beginning of the disease? I am 37 years old and have had these symptoms for about 5 months. Thank you very much for any help. I am learning a lot from this group and your posts.-Kathy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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