I was sero-negative the first four years I had RA. So the sed rate was 0. That caused me numerous problems for a full two years, till I found an older doctor who was willing to diagnose me with RA based on some pretty obvious symptoms. Like flares in 100 joints, and being unable to walk or do anything.

I wouldn't worry about the numbers but the symptoms. While it would be nice to have everything high, so the doctors have no choice but to diagnose you, in the end, we see the doctor because of pain and symptoms, not because of what the blood tests say.

I hope your appointment goes well on Tuesday.

Thanks Marlene & Sally.....

Oh yeah, you want to talk symptoms. I got symptoms. I hurt every morning, every night and all day. I have swelling, nodules and it's on both sides. The worst is the nausea I suffer with every single morning, like morning sickness but not pregnant. This started BEFORE any medication. My pains jumps to different joints daily. Knees, hips, elbows, fingers...every joint in both feet. I've had 2 bad flares....but live with the pain every single day.

My doc is an older one....70 I think and he has already said before all these test (only had the RA Factor) I had RA from just looking at my joints and family history. I've made a list of issues to take tomorrow.

Sally...Thanks!!!!

I took your advice this morning and started a album in my phone and took pics of my feet and husband took my hands.

I have swelling on my middle right hand finger (which xrays already confirmed with doc) there is damage and the left hand pointing finger is always swollen. I also started getting a rash that comes and goes on my thighs. Little tiny red bumps that look like shave burn but I don't shave my thighs.

I wish I could show him a picture of stiff....because that's all day.

You have RA. The anti-ccp test is THE most specific for RA. It's very high. My RF was also the same as yours and then a few years later it was >500 and now it's 466.
During that time my RF has been 18 and now the last few years 14.
My sed rate is usually under 20 (normal) and my crp is also normal.
I don't even have normal ra symptoms per se but I am learning that there is no true normal. Anti-ccp can show up years before erosion does. I think up to 10 years before. This is considered a blessing because treatment and monitoring can start before damage does.

I realize you do have symptoms but even if you didn't it's a serious disease that requires good monitoring. I, like RASally suggested, take pictures when I have a passing "area of RA interest". There are many things I've learned to do to help get better faster. My rheum doc gives me 1mg prednisone. I can take as little as 1mg up to 5mg per day if I need it. I wrap cloth tape around a bad finger (taping it to a better finger), wear a splint (wrist, knee, ankle, etc) as needed for a few days waiting out a small flair.

I wish you all the best! You are not the disease. The disease is just a piece that you have to deal with. Sorry it's yours.

Thanks Bcatz!

It's nice to have so many on here who really get it.

I also was newly diagnosed in May. My ccp was 199 and sed rate was normal. My ANA is 1280 and has been for over a year. Since my mother had both RA and Lupus it has been a struggle to diagnoseI was taking 8 mtx and am now taking the shots along with Humira. We are still trying to get it under control. I had to start on Prednisone this week because of swelling and pain in my left wrist and hand. It is getting to the point that it is far easier to name what doesn't hurt.

Hang in there.I have been going to rheumatologist for almost 8 years and just this year diagnosed with RA and possible early lupus. My main goal is to find something that helps keep the flairs and damage to my joints down to a minimum.

Thanks Dorthy!

I've never had an ANA test. I guess that's for other autoimmune diseases. He suggested I may have Sjogren's but maybe he'll test for that next time? I told him I get really bad dry mouth.

He upped my MTX from 6 to 7 pills this time. He said my RA was severe. Scary. I am still clueless on the whole subject but trying to become more aware.

I know what you mean about telling you what doesn't hurt!

Are you on any biologics? If he says your RA is severe, what is the reason that you are not on biologics?

Good question 2leftfeet......I don't know. He answers all my questions but he is really quick to get you in and out. I was surprised how fast the appt was yesterday.

Today I especially hurt and feel unwell. He gave me a script for a PPI so I can take Ibuprofen as needed.

I have a root canal Saturday and I am looking forward to that! Can you believe it. Looking forward because he gives me Vicodin.

So when I go back in 6 weeks....after upping my 6 to 7 pills and hurt I am going to ask him why am I not getting Biologics. I am sure it's insurance related.

Have you had any problems with Iritis? Swelling in your eyes? I have had it off and on for 4 years now and it is one of the reasons they ran another ANA test. It jumped from 640 to 1280.

My eye doctor says she has several patients with RA that get Iritis and it doesn't seem to matter if the rest of your symptoms are controlled by medication or not.

Treatment is steroid drops in the eyes and dilation until the swelling goes down. It feels like a migraine in your eye.

Melly, I do not know that having a Dr get you in & out quickly is necessarily a good thing. I do not know that having an appt that is fast is always a good thing. It could be that he is pushed, by whoever he works for, to get patients in & out as fast as possible, for $$$$$ reasons.

Enjoy the root canal!

Dorthy.....no problems with eyes at all. They get itchy sometimes but that's it.

2leftfeet...oh, I know it's not a good thing. It actually pisses me off because I've never had a doctor who did that. I've always been very verbal with my doctors etc.

My medical group in my HMO only has 2 doctors. My only other choice is to get a referral to see the other one. And then if he's no good I'm screwed! This sucks.

What makes me angry is I'm sure it's $$$$. I have an HMO so the only thing I could do is change medical groups if I needed to.