Tests all inconclusive - nothing - negative- is it

Hi, I would bet that the prednosone is doing it's job. It seems strange to me that they did not test you for gout or lymes though since when I was in the process of being diagnosed with RA it seemed that they tested me several times for it.

I know someone that went through something similar earlier this year after an ongoing viral infection that lasted for months, she tested with high SED rates but nothing else out of the ordinary test wise. They took blood several times watching for anything out of the ordinary and eventually her SED rates returned to normal and she has been fine ever since. She was having symptoms much like what you described but more in her feet, ankles and knees than hands. These also went away over several weeks.

I wonder if you ate anything out of the ordinary or came into contact with a chemical of some sort prior to the onset of this? Joints can be a first showing for inflamation which is a natural process when the body is trying to rid itself of toxins. Is it possible that you had a bad reaction to something? Hope you feel better soon and recover completely!

Yes it can show up later and even your inflammatory factor can show up later. Because its been such a sudden onset of symptoms lets hope that your symptoms just as suddenly disappear. Fish oil helps, cactus juice is another alternative treatment for inflammation. Hubby takes it for gout. Try a low acidic diet or cut out the deadly nightshade family as in tomatoes, potatos, egg plant etc. That all can have some impact. White wine is suppose to be no good for us either.
I don't know I've tried all sorts of diets and haven't found anything that works.
Goodluck with it all, keep in touch, golitho

kmainmiami,

This is exactly how my RA started out. I had massive knee pain and swelling, then a few weeks later...hands and feet. The knee pain was nothing short of horrific. Couldn't get out of a chair or climb the stairs. Just awful. It was the worst at night for me as well. I couldn't sleep. I can totally empathize with what you are going through.

I do have a history of Lyme, but the specialists chaulked all my symptoms up to RA, since I received full and lengthy treatment for Lyme early on. Still, you should be checked for this if you have not been already as it does cause knee pain in many people.

It can take years to become sero positive for RA. All my initial tests were negative as well. I am now taking Prednisone and Methotrexate, and am starting biologics soon. I do feel much better. I hope the Prednisone helps. If was a life saver for me.

Update- not good news and feeling pretty freaked out. Rheum. Doc and his colleague (heads up theirteam) whom I asked for a second opinion- are both in agreement that although the blood work showed up as negative, I show all of the classic RA symptoms except for it having come on so quickly and in so many areas at once. So for now they are officially saying this is sero-negative inflammatory arthritis but the expectation is that this will eventually manifest as RA. He ran all of the blood work again today- 12 vials full so we'll see what shows if anything next week.

I am still swollen- my hands are painful and while not as puffy as they were pre- prednisone (have weaned off of of this finally) they are still swollen and very sore. So are my elbows now and shoulders. My knees are so painful that getting up from a chair or couch often brings tears to my eyes. It's that bad.

I'm taking tramadol 3-4 X a day. Plus, he has me starting Celebrex tomorrow since the Mobic is not doing enough and I refuse to get back on Prednisone.

But the worst part is they both want me to start on methotrexate immediately. I filled the PX but am not happy or ready to start it given horror stories I've read about side effects and possible long term dangers. I am totally terrified- the doctors did their best to reassure me of the safety and how many people are on it, etc. but I am still not feeling positive about taking this medication. It's like chemo. Which is poison.
Not to mention that it means not being able to drink-something that I do regularly as I am in the hospitality industry and am often entertaining clients and am involved with wine tasting events. So giving up wine at this point is not going to be easy- in addition to managing through Ra - I am also gong through a horrendously stressful time at my job and am seeking a new career (cannot quit because I need the income and more importantly- the insurance). Giving up drinking at this point in my life is very upsetting- but then again, being in this much pain for the rest of my life is also terrifying.

Are there any other options besides methotrexate to consider? Can someone share any positive experiences with this drug since it appears to be the one drug that almost everyone with RA has been on at some point or is on presently? Does it really work and is it worth the risks and side effects? Will I be on it forever?

Has anyone actually ignored the warnings and had more then 2 drinks a week (that's what my doctor said was the maximum)?

What about holistic remedies? Anyone have any specific positive results with these?

I am terrified and feeling very alone- not to mention in pretty bad pain at the moment. Between my hands and my knees- it's just a miserable thing this disease.

The thing about reading side effects can cause undo worry, they do have to list them but, not everyone gets them. Are you going to be on the pills? or the injections? the injections by-pass the stomach and you have fewer stomach issues, you'll need to get folic acid scripted as the strenght(sp?) of store bought is not good enough so call and ask if your doctor will prescribe folic acid, folic acid also, reduces the side effects and the mtx can help, I was dx just like you, bloodwork all normal except one (forgot which one).

Make sure to get into your eye doctor as RA can effect the eye's and the RA meds can effect the eye's so, get pictures of your eye's before starting the mtx.

Do not be afraid of trying the methotrexate it can help, I did notice an improvement while on this medication and it has the fewest side effects, especially when compare to humira, embrel, orencia ect...
Plus the doctor does have to act agressively(sp?) with this disease to slow it's progression as they might be noticing damage done and once the damage is done it's not going to go away, so your doctor are doing great in wanting to get a control on this for you so you can live a good life without a lot of damage.
You seem to have a good team of doctor's, it took me years to get good doctors to notice and I'm also now paying for that cause I have joint damage.
You are not alone and we are here rooting for you and your doctor have your interests in heart. It can be very scary and overwhelming of course but treatments can help. My doctor had me slowly increasing the mtx injections, was at .2 for 3 weeks then .3 for 3 weeks and then .4 ect... and for RA it's only done once a week in either pill or injection, just once a week, I always chose Tuesdays for my injection did them at home without hubby around, on my own and for me that was the best. I could tell it helped because for the first time in a long time I had skinny knees and feet, it was wonderful and I hope to get back on mtx next week. If I get clerance to go back on mtx how about we each pick a day we can use and I'll do mine then posts and then you can do yours and posts, if you wish it...I'll know on this Wednesday and from there we can pick a date for our mtx day...just something for you to consider, okay???
Many well wishes and post back okay...things will work out, keep positive...

Many of the side effects of Methotrexate can be alleviated (or lessened at least) by taking your folic acid as prescribed, as Chartreux mentioned. I usually take a larger dose the day before my weekly Methotrexate and have found this beneficial. I have also found that taking Methotrexate at night is beneficial for me since one of the side effects is fatigue. Taking it after dinner also helps with the mild nausea. I also schedule my dose for my first day off of work to minimize fatigue while at work. I find that the fatigue lasts a little over a day for me. I take 20 mg.

I have found this medication to be beneficial, and have been lucky to not experience too many ill effects. Like Chartreux, I can now get most of my shoes on (feet are somewhat normal sized) and I can wear my rings without them cutting into my hands. I can get my skinny jeans up over my knees. Make sure that you get your chemistries checked every couple of weeks for the first month, then every other month, to check your liver function. Sun exposure should be minimized, especially if you are fair skinned.

I was afraid to start this medication as well. I use to give this medication as chemotherapy in much higher doses, when I was an oncology nurse, so I was pretty familiar with it. I have had no hair loss (the doses for RA are tiny comparatively), no major GI problems, etc. But if I forget to take my folic acid...some stomach upset (mild) usually follows.

All in all...it's been helpful, and worth the minor side effects that I have had.

There are older postings on alcohol drinking and methotrexate you can read up on those, it is a debated issues but, I think in moderation it's okay as I'm not totally against alcohol as people do need to unwind sometimes and limit your use of alcohol....maybe try a glass once you get started on the mtx, I tried it and I cannot tolerate the alcohol at all, so just see how you'll do on it...

Second round of tests and x-rays showing nothing- totally negative in every area. Perfect numbers and x-rays on hands are find. I AM GETTING BETTER! My hands look NORMAL - still a bit puffy and sore near the joints but 95% of the swelling and pain are gone! I can even make a fist. Some minor aches in my shoulders and elbows- most of the pain now is in my knees. Doc gave me shots in both knees which took the edge off and removed fluid (wasn't easy since there wasn't much fluid!) but as there's no swelling there I don't anticipate any conclusive results. The fatigue has lifted and I am sleeping without Xanax almost through the night. Huge difference. Was up to 36 laps in my condo pool as of yesterday- after swimming there is literally no swelling and minimal pain -even in knees.

Taking Celebrex and tramadol and tylonol. Today- only needed 1 tramadol and a tylonol and took Celebrex in the early AM and swelling is still almost gone except for minor puffiness in fingers.

However, Rheummy doc still wants me to start medication even though he too hopes this is a virus running it's course but is doubtful and still convinced this is RA. Already told him MTX is no go- especially now that I have improved so much. He agreed - said it was "reasonable". I pleaded with him to start me on Minocin (antibiotic protocol), have been sending him tons of info but he does not buy the idea that Arthritis is an infection and refuses to try it. He is now pushing Plaquenil which I am hesitant to take because I FEEL BETTER and I want to give this thing a few more weeks before I make any major decisions of any protocol.

I made an appointment with another Rheummy for July 1st (next date she had available) just to one more opinion. Really hope by then this will be over and done with completely. Also making an appointment for a physician who does the antibiotic protocol since they have a long waiting list so if necessary and the second Rheum. doc agrees I need treatment, I can decide then what to do. I assume she also will not want to do the antibiotic protocol- not sure but have a feeling, given that she is a traditional physician, that will be the case. Road back foundation is a place to learn about this protocol- along with many other resources. They have some really compelling research out there into this as an alternative to DMARDS.

Am I being totally crazy to wait this out now that the swelling is down and the pain is manageable? Is there really damage being done even if it's not evident and I'm feeling better? Is it not possible that in the next 2 weeks this thing will run it's course and be gone? Is the doctor simply being extra-cautious because he doesn't want to risk damage or am I being naive about not taking the meds because I want to see this through for a few more weeks?

Also, if I do go the planquenil route- has anyone tried this drug and if so, what is your experience?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts and grateful for this community!