reveal what you just told us here.
And tell the doctor that you were seronegative previously....just saying you KNOW what that is will push the doctor to respect your knowledge.

Keep an open mind. You might even ask if the doctor offers the new test available.

Also, be prepared to lay out your expectation and find out your new doctors. For example, I said I just wanted acute pain to be gone and was ok with some limitation while my doctor said HIS goal was to fully arrest RA with NO pain. :)

I think you need to let the new doc know all , including what your goals are . Good luck and God bless.

My blood work is great - picture of health. But, I hurt, have swelling and stiffness that lasts ALL the time.I saw a Rheumatologist in June. He listened, looked and gently touched. He believed me. I was put on MTX and folic acid. (Maybe it helped that I had been treated by an orthopedist and physical therapist for over 6 months, and they referred me to the Dr.) He added, the insurance approved, Humira - got my first shot 2 days ago. I tell my Dr exactly how I feel. The Rheumatologist will give Humira 3 months, and if not improvement, he said he will move on to a different drug. Much like bcatz, my goal is to be able to walk with minor discomfort, but his goal is to have it all gone.

Hang in there, tell the Dr everything.

Tell your doc everything you know about your condition. Tell the doc how your RA effects your life. Then as bcatz said, tell the doc how you want to be treated. For example, my last new doc, I told her I wanted my disease to be treated aggressively, I need to keep moving, and I can't sleep because of pain in my feet. She laid out a plan for me, and I am doing that. Just hope it works.
It is always stressful to go see a new doc. I was so nervous, and afraid that I wouldn't be heard. That is why you need to talk.
Good luck with your new doc!

Thanks all. I like the idea of starting with desired treatment method and goals. I guess that is what I fear - that he will not be as aggressive as my Dr was in the USA at least partly due to the fact that I am seuronegative and that I have no visible physical manifestations. My goal at work sometimes is as simple as making it through the day.then the week, month, etc. Sometimes wish I had a more classic manifestation of the disease, making diagnosis, treatment, etc more straightforward. Wish me luck!

Would you also mention the painful, stiff fingertips?

I would mention the fingertips.
I find initial appointment to not be to productive, generally. But I was started on treatment at my first Rheumy appointment although it was just some pain meds. One week later I returned and all the labs were in and we started with plaquinil. I am seronegative.
I find that taking a notebook with the things you want to discuss helps appointments, first or otherwise, go smoother, faster, and be more productive.
I like bcatz way of dealing with pain control. I think telling the Dr that you want relief from acute pain is a great way to put it.
Good luck with your new rheumy!

I would mention everything. I think it's important, but not easy, to have a rheumatologist that will work with you to achieve your goals. My rheumy doesn't test my RA factor. She says it's obvious my RA is active so she doesn't need a test.