What is Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is traditionally considered a chronic, inflammatory autoimmune disorder that causes the immune system to attack the joints. It is a disabling and painful ...
Join Now
|
Normal blood tests. Is it really RA?
|
Watch this |
| View More Posts Ignore |
I was diagnosed 2 years ago with RA. I just started taking Remicade after 18 months on assorted NSAIDs/ methotrexate/ plaquenil/ occasional Prednisone. However despite radiological changes (joing narrowing, but no erosion in both hands and feet), swollen hand/finger joints and feet/ankles, constant tendon inflammation including ruptured thumb tendon and joint triggering... The only abnormal blood tests have shown a positive ANA titer, mild anemia... No RF factor pand inflammation markers in the blood have all remained in normal ranges even during active flares. I do have flares where my hands are stiff for hours after waking. Does anyone else have normal blood tests, but still diagnosed with RA?
Posted on 05/23/07, 10:05 pm |
| 8 Replies | Add Your Advice |
| View More Posts Ignore |
Request a full panel Mycoplasma test as well as for bacterial L-forms. Here are 2 websites for you to check out:
www.rheumatic.org and www.roadback.org I have seropositive RA but all the rest of my blood work is normal. I am on "Antibiotic Protocol" and am on the way to get my health back! 
|
|
|
|
||
| View More Posts Ignore |
Hi Gosew!! Love your name...sewing is my hobby. You need an Antii-ccp test. It's relatively new, but most Rheumatologists will perform one now. Google a search on it to get all of the info. It will definitely tell you if you have RA or not.
|
|
|
|
||
| View More Posts Ignore |
I have the same problem!! My Rheumy says by looking at my labs everything is normal, but clinically every joint is swelled and hurts.She had me come back in to check all my joints then says yes you do have RA no doubt about it. I'm waiting on approval for remicade now. Enbrel helped some, but humira didn't help at all. Been off all meds now for 4 weeks. I guess the methotrexate was working some because I've been needing to take pain meds pretty regular. Hope we both find the right combo & some day know more about why some of us show normal.
|
|
|
|
||
| View More Posts Ignore |
I show negative on all tests - including the new anti-ccp or whatever it is test. lol I've always been like that. But trust me, if you saw me swell, and saw my x-rays, there isn't a shadow of a doubt RA is what I have. I've had it since I was about 2, and I've never tested positive for anything. *shrug* All of my RDs have said it is fairly common as well.
|
|
|
|
||
| View More Posts Ignore |
I am the same way. It doesn't show up on blood work normally. But, boy, do I have RA.
|
|
|
|
||
| View More Posts Ignore |
I have the same problem to some respect. My rheumy tells me that I have seronegative arthritis. I've been on Enbrel, Humira, MTX, Celebrex, and now on Orencia. I don't feel a considerable difference. Right now my knees have been swelling every week. I've had my knees drained once a week for the past 5 weeks. My doctor has no answers for me other than "it's the arthritis".
I will ask about the tests that I've read here. Thanks for all information.
|
|
|
|
||
| View More Posts Ignore |
My doctor told me that some people have symptoms of RA but their blood tests turn out normal and some people have no symptoms but have abnormal blood tests. Also, the medicines you take will keep some of those blood abnormalities at bay. The only way to truly know what shows up as signs in your blood tests is to go off of everything, which is not a possibility.
|
|
|
|
||
| View More Posts Ignore |
I was diagnosed with RA last October. But I have had the symptoms of RA for at least 25 years. I used to see a naprapath (think chiropractor) who swore I had RA and encouraged me to get tested every year. My GP was very accomodating and tested me, I always came up negative. Go figure! So it is definitely possible to have clinical RA without blood test levels that show it - even including the newer tests. Bottom line, the doctor can tell by examing you through touch and by xray and MRI. So if you hurt - you have it! Take care...
|
|
|
|
||
| Add Your Advice |
