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Rhuematoid Factor

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Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Posted 4/18/2008 7:13 PM (GMT 0)
My rheumatoid factor showed "high" with a reading of 18.

I also have arthritis, psoriasis, spinal stenosis, herniated discs, anemia, chills, kidney stones, scoliosis, spondylosis, blood in urine, joint pain, malaise and fatigue to name a few.

My ANA was negative but does the 18 rf mean I have rheumatoid arthritis?

Alan
Posted 4/18/2008 7:56 PM (GMT 0)
An eighteen is quite low for a positive reaction mine was 90 and my rhuemy said that was quite unremarkable. Lots of people have positive RF factors without having RA. Go by your symptoms if you have swollen joints, and all that goes with it treat it like its RA. If not don't worry too much about it.
sj
Posted 4/19/2008 8:27 AM (GMT 0)
actually there are many people who have a rf and no signs of active RA and many who dont have an rf with signs of RA. the ana is one of several ways to measure inflammation in your body and it is a good thing not to have an elevated ana. do you know your c reactive protien level or sed rate? they are other inflammatory markers. good luck with everything and keep us posted.
Posted 4/30/2008 11:49 PM (GMT 0)
I have my first rhuemy doc appointment tomorrow. Couple weeks ago I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis and then my labs came back with an RA Factor of 80. My joints hurts and my bones, i.e. legs and arms. I also have been diagnosed with Peripheral neuropathy,painful pins & needles mostly in my arms,hands and feet but in other areas as well. Was told I have auto ammune disease. I've lost about 24 lbs in the past 5 weeks.Nausis and feeling sickly.
Has anyone had or have pins & needles? Do you think I may not have RA but something else? But, am VERY confused about my pins & needles. Also, I have lots of foamy bubbles in my urine and it sounds like I dropped an Alka Selza in the bowl. But today my urine came back showing no signs of protein.
Any clue? Would love to know real good questions to ask the doc tomorrow.
Thanks!
Lori
P.S. Excuse any typos
Posted 5/1/2008 7:34 PM (GMT 0)
Well, peripheral neuoropathy explains the pins and needles. Have they done an ANA, CRP, bacterial urine culture. The autoimmune disorders overlap themselves quite a bit with symptoms from one showing up in another as well. Your rhuemy will be the one to try to sort out what symptoms you have and which are predominant in order to give you a diagnosis. Good luck with your appointment and perhaps start keeping a list of symptoms, questions to ask and write them down as they come to mind then organize it the day before the appointment and bring it with you so you don't forget anything.
Sj
Posted 5/6/2008 11:06 PM (GMT 0)
Went to my new rhuemy. Hated him.Didn't let me ask any questions and he had nothing to say but he gave me a script for PT in a warm pool. Changing docs. In the meanwhile, my internist said that the pins & needles could be a sign of some kind of cancer or bone marrow cancer. UGGGG!!!. So they're doing tests for that. I'm wondering if inflammation can cause the pins and needles. My doc also said that the high RA Factor could mean that I don't have RA but can have some other disease.
Question: Didn't have the ANA, CRP test. What are they? And no, I didn't get a bacterial urine culture.
I have been doing my own urine dipstick tests. My Leucocytes, Bilirubin, ph and keystones have been reading high. Can't get a darn answer from any of these doctors because I've got all of them confused. Any ideas?
Thanks for answering.
Lori
Posted 5/7/2008 1:45 AM (GMT 0)
ANA is another tests for autoimmune disorders a very high level can indicate lupus. CRP is a measure of inflamation.
Did your rhuemy ask you questions-did he run a bunch of tests-take x-rays? I think you may need a different rhuemy. Your internest at least seems to be trying to find answers he may be your best option until the tests start pointing more decisively in one direction.
Are they following your liver function?
I wish I had more answers for you but I am afraid that only time and dillegent doctors are going to be able to sort this out. In the meantime I hope you feel well.
Sj
Posted 5/8/2008 9:01 AM (GMT 0)
Hi,I have Ra and my Ra Factor come back this last time 37 and that is a high reading.My Rheumt told me any thing under a 23 was concidered to be normal.I just found out last week that my arthritis is actived in my spin and it is diving me crazy.Nothing is helping so fare we have changed some of my meds and we have upped some of them and uppeds my pain meds and had a couple of shots in my spin and nothing.As soon as my doctor can get me in I will start therapy and I am more than ready for it.Is there any of you'll that has had therapy done on there spin and if so what was done done???
Posted 5/12/2008 6:13 AM (GMT 0)
Dear Lori and wolftrades,
Welcome to Healing Well Lori! Yes it's a lousy circumstance we meet here, but you're in the right place for we've all been through the mill with ALL of this. At least people truly understand & know how you're feeling here. Feel free to vent & moan & ask away!
I am bumping up the thread called "Rheumatoid Factor 101" I wrote....it's very helpful & clarifies a lot of tests & blood work.
Hang in there.
Erin
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