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RF was 28 going to rhuemy in Dec.

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Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Posted 10/27/2009 3:37 AM (GMT 0)
eyes  Hello Everyone, I'm new to all this....pretty much in my own investigation faze. Over the summer I started with all the joint pain, stiffness it seemed relentless, and the fatigue, I t was a flare of some kind. I was once told in passing by an ER dr once I had fibro that was 15 years ago and never paid much attention to it, yes I had many achy issues over the years but never gave fibro a second thought...then came the summer of 2009, And here I am.  Once the pain, stiffness, fatigue,cracking noise when i would walk, hardly able to stand getting out of bed etc.. My family Dr sent me for blood work, and my Rf came back at 28. I know this is not as high as some of you must be, but could it mean RA? I have an appointment  with a Rhuemy Dec.2, which isn't soon enough the fatigue has let up a bit but i can only do so much then I need a rest, I am sleeping better, but the joints don't seem to be letting up just yet. My family dr has me going for Xrays and follow up blood work before I see the Rhuemy. I am now considering that fibro is most likely part of my problem but I am also thing RA is possible as well. Hope anyone could give me your thoughts.Thanks

   P.S. I have been searching around the posts for awhile now, and I am soo glad I have found you all.

Posted 10/27/2009 6:08 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome Miss K, I don't know about RF levels, so I can't help you with a diagnosis. But you're very welcome to come and rave or generally chatter about your ups and downs. All these autoimmune diseases come with their own lists of symptoms and we all seem to fall somewhere in the range of them. RA seems to be specific joints and symmetrical, but the fatigue goes with all autoimmune territory. I know for me the initial diagnosis was made by not responding to antiinflammatories for 3 months. Then she hit me with the RA meds and I've been on various combinations ever since. Currently humira and methotrexate with mobic on top.
Every person is so different it takes a rheumy specialist to really recognise your problem.
I hope this helps, is it specific joints involved, swelling or just general pain?
Keep in touch, golitho
Posted 10/27/2009 10:50 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks golitho, My hands have ache stiffness, but my feet and ankles are the worst. I have bad knees as well, I have seen an ortho he thinks i will need a new knee in a few years, Im only 39. and the other knee has this walnut size knot on it. my wrists ache too. and just the past few weeks my hips are starting to ache as well. thanks again.
Posted 10/28/2009 1:50 AM (GMT 0)

Welcome MissCK1,

you have most certainly come to the right place to ask questions and have a moan or two, we all do. Like golitho I can't help with the RF result, but I understand the foot/ankle problem, swollen fingers and aches in the hips. In fact it's the pain in my foot that started me on the right journey.

I had been having back pain for many years, which I put down to getting older (only 53 though) having had children, horm, running etc. Therefore I didn't really do anything other than see my GP. Then the pain the ankle became 24/7 and I haven't worn an enclosed shoe for near 2 years. Swollen fingers and many other little things.  I asked to see a specialist and thankfully came across one that instantly knew what the problem was and started all tests, x-rays etc leading to being told I have Ankylosing Spondylitis.  You really need a good rheumy to speak to and explain all the things you have wrong with you. Something is clearly not quite right....

Keep us informed and don't forget you can post questions anytime you want or just have a really big moan and get things off your chest. We're all here to listen and help in support any way we can. We can only speak of our own experiences and many times that helps even in the smallest way.

Hang in there and keep us posted.

Peggy smilewinkgrin

Posted 11/2/2009 5:19 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the replies, Its great to know you are all here, I will keep you posted.
Posted 11/5/2009 8:22 PM (GMT 0)

Hi.  Welcome to the forum.  I was 35 when I was dx with RA.  I had a positive RF, but it was just barely positive (I think it was 24).  However, my doctor said that due to my age combined with my joint symptoms, it was not a false positive.  I began treatment shortly after that.  It's also not uncommon to have seronegative RA.  Many people don't test positive for RF at all.  A good rheumatologist takes the entire picture (clinical plus labs) into account before dx.

El

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