Rheumatoid Arthritis

Hi everyone,

I wasn't sure where to post this. I'm posting here and at the chronic pain forum.

Is anyone familiar with RA?

I had lab work done in Nov 05. My blood test showed a ra factor of 18.1, the range was 0.0-13.9

The sedimentation rate was 1, the range 0-30.

This never made sense to me. I was also given prendisone and it did nothing.

Has anyone ever heard of having ra but no sedimentation rate?

And can you have flares only in your lower body?

And one more thing, is it true or a myth(I've heard both) that tomatoes, potatoes and spices bring about a flare?

Any info would be appreciated. Thanks so much.

Shaleygirl said...
Hello,

I have RA and have never had a positive lab result. I can flare anywhere and do have more in the lower half of my body. I don't seem to have a problem eating nightshades or spices but many do. RA is also Dx'd based on symptoms and family history using lab tests as just one of the markers.

Good luck.

I'm not sure what to think. I have back problems but was wondering if I did have RA. I should read more about it but when I do read things I don't relate to having some of the things they say. So you were diagnosed based on symptoms only and a family history? I wonder why your labs tests didn't show it? Did you have the test for the sedimentation rate? And if so, was it elevated?

Thanks    

Shaleygirl said...
Yep, I have sero-negative RA and even my sed rates are normal. Of course I am only puffy for Dr appts. and only swelled a lot privately. I think one of the best remedies for RA is a rheumy appt. I took pics and my Dr was able to see the swelling but she never doubted me. I also had red joints and my fingers are already twisting.

For a year and a half I didn't present with some of the traditional RA symptoms. Did a rheumatologist diagnose you? Are you taking any meds for it?

Take care

No, i have no swelling, no puffiness, no twisting of fingers. It probably isn't ra. I was just thinking why my legs flare up some days more than others. Thanks for your response.

Hi Denim,

well with my experience with Ra, at that time the most common thing for me was extreme fatique and the pain in my arms and hands.
but the pain in my arms & hands would switch..like i would wake up and my left arm would hurt, but my right hand hand would hurt too...it was weird..then some times my right lower leg would hurt and my left shoulder blade would be hurting too..

as the disease progress the Pains were more evenly distributed...Its different for everyone, and sometimes lab work really isnt reliable but i guess drs have to do all that lab and document the disease most likely for insurance purposes as well as ruling out other diseases..

RA has many symtoms...
Insomina, Anemia,Muscle pain, Joint Pain, Fatique, depression, Moodswings,swelling, redness in joints, weakness, feeling drained and Overwhelmed...and Emotionally it can take its toll on a person...

U will have good and bad days....soo just hang in there, Rest alot...believe me it helps...When i was going thru the RA flares, and when I didnt know everything that i needed to know, i would constantly push myself, and made my Flares worse...but when I rested, it defitnely made a difference...

And sometimes I get a warning sign, I notice my worse flares come when the insomia kicks in....or when im about to Menustrate...sorry if that gross u out...LOL

So dont worry about sed-rates, and the Ra Factors, or the ANA, and everything else, the only thing that u really have to modertor is the way ur feeling, and keep track of ur good days versus ur bad days, and see ur Rhuemy regulary...Make ur rhuematologist ur new best freind...beucase The rhuemy needs to be in the know of everything so they can keep u or get u into remission....

hope this helps, and best of luck to you
BabZ