Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

Welcome Ally, I am new here too and I just love this site, I have gotten help and good advice for every question and concern I have had. These people know exactly what we are going through because they have been through it too.
Good luck with your second rheumy appt. Hope you can get the correct diagnosis, considering you have the +rheumatoid factor that should make it easier.
I had my first rheumy appt. in June, I had the elevated CRP and ESR like you but - for everything else. So the rheumy was calling my condition unidentified inflammatory polyarthritis. But she also told me that she thought it was R.A even with the - test results. I had my second appt. a couple weeks later with a different rheumy (because he was closer to where I live) he also told me that he thought that I have R.A.. ran some more bloodwork and this it came back with a +ANA. Which he just said was found in auto immune disease. Makes me wonder if lupus is a possibility even though I don't fit the symptoms and fit all of the r.a symptoms. But yes not having a for sure diagnosis is frustrating.
Anyhow I am on Methotrexate now (3 weeks) and just eneded my prednisone last week.
Sorry this was so long winded. Anyway sorry you are dealing with this but helps to be in a group like this.

I get the feeling that many docs would rather just use "imflammatory polyartropathy" as an initial diagnosis rather than call it wrong. It doesn't really matter, as initial treatment is the same for most of these diseases. How you respond to treatment, how you fare over time, and how results on blood tests change over time are all important to making a firm diagnosis. In other words, don't sweat it if you don't have a definitive diagnosis right away.

Of course it makes sense! No one wants to have any of these conditions, BUT when you feel like crap, you want the BEAST to have a name. It makes it easier to relate to, for those around you.
It also gives you broader treatment options.

It looks like you are on the right path!
Good Luck!

Hi alleykay and welcome to this group. I hope you get a diagnosis but
the main thing is that the doctor starts a treatment plan for you.
Write down any questions you have and make sure you get them answered in terms you can understand by your Rheumy. After almost three years, I still do this.
Hugs

Hi there,
I'm glad this group has been able to help you, and sorry you're going through the process of trying to get a diagnosis. It's hugely frustrating. I understand where you're coming from - there's a huge part of me that wishes I didn't have RA, but since I definitely have something going on, I'd much rather it have a name and a treatment plan, as opposed to the doctor not knowing what was happening. The most important part, rather than the specific diagnosis, is that the doctor has a plan of treatment to make you feel better. Sometimes it takes a while to come up with the diagnosis because with RA and other autoimmune conditions the blood tests are often not conclusive. But you'll get there. Hope you feel better soon!

Welcome! They pretty much said what I would have said, it's the treatment and how your body responds that really counts. Many Doctors, researchers, and scientists are now leaning towards the idea that what we call "RA" is more likely several very similar but different diseases. It would explain why we have such big differences in how we test, and often have big differences in how we respond to non-steroidal treatments. I'm seronegative and tested mostly normally, despite some obvious swelling. But my doctor was confident of the diagnosis, and even more confident when I responded so well to the treatments. It stinks, but it really is a relief to finally name it and feel my body responding in a /mostly/ good way :)