It's just how your RA affects you...how it shows itself...
ie, unable to walk, stiffness for x hours in hands, flares approximately xdays a month that don't allow you to xxx.

So could any of these be manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis

ccp antibody (strong positive)
elevated esr
elevated c-reactive protein
stiffness
mild anemia

I have what my RD calls extraarticular manifestations of RA that include tendonitis, burisits and vasculitis. I have mobility issues, etc. Is that what they are looking for?

Here is the question, can somebody please tell me

SO COULD ANY OF THESE BE MANIFESTATIONS OF RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS?

ccp antibody (strong positive)
elevated esr
elevated c-reactive protein
stiffness
mild anemia

Yes, these are manifestations of RA, check them on the list if you have them.

Stupid forms!

Inkjoy is correct, the answer is yes. If you have the lab work to back it up from your doctor send them a copy as well.

Yes, I do have labwork, and from the past 14 months which show all of this again and again, except for stiffness, that is probably in the doctor notes.

I just wanted to make sure, if these could all be used as manifestations.

thx

I'd be sure to stress physical, palpible manifestations, like swelling, redness, warmth, stiffness, limited ROM. I see I'm on the same page as missouritiger... mobility, etc.
LOL (lots of luck)

Here is the thing.

I don't have redness or swelling. or warmth. I do have stiffness.

But the impact is so great that I am confined to my home for days because of the tiredness and not feeling well. Not able to do simple things like check mail, etc.

But I have all the blood tests, repeatedly over a period of the last 14 months. Mainly ccp antibody, elevated esr, elevated c-reactive protein and anemia.

There is also some x-ray reports showing damage in my knee, but it is very mild.

Looking at me, people cannot say anything is wrong.

So this is the dilemma, my hearing comes up in about 3 months, a few days ago, I saw this thing in the social security site, it's called 14.09D.

It says.
Repeated manifestations of inflammatory arthritis, with at least two of the constitutional symptoms or signs (severe fatigue, fever, malaise, or involuntary weight loss) and one of the following at the marked level:

1. Limitation of activities of daily living.

2. Limitation in maintaining social functioning.

3. Limitation in completing tasks in a timely manner due to deficiencies in concentration, persistence, or pace.

I definitely fulfill the criteria of the severe fatigue, malaise, and Limitations of activities of daily living. (at a marked level).

I have written diagnoses of 'Other Fatigue and Malaise'. I originally applied for disability for chronic fatigue syndrome, and was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis while ruling out other causes of my debilitating tiredness.

But now comes the part of showing the first part. I don't have swelling or redness. I do have pains, stiffness, which is probably documented.

You know a lot of the rheumatologists could care less, and the patient is left on his own to do just about everything.

Ok, but I DEFINITELY HAVE THE BLOOD WORK, I have to get blood tests every 2 months cause of the methotrexate and enbrel (i started enbrel about a month ago).

From my first blood test to my most recent one which i had 2 weeks ago, all of them show high esr, and high c-reactive protein. for over a year, i have anemia, which is from the rheumatoid arthritis because it was not there when i was first diagnosed.

I also have strong positive ccp antibodies, which the rheumatologist said is a de facto indication of rhematoid arthritis.

i've heard some horror stories about SSA denying severely disabled people, my condition is more severe then a lot of other people.

I am pretty much limited, with no income because of this illness, and on public assistance.

I have no problem with working, but what job can a person do if he is not able to leave his home everyday, or check his mail or do regular things because of fatigue and not feeling well.

And now as my hearing is coming up, I'm getting a little tense, what if they deny me. What am I going to do then? We've been homeless twice and in a shelter for a month.

I was also diagnosed with fibromyalgia.

I do not have redness either, and although I was only finally diagnosed last year, I am sure, from memory and picture that I have had sings for ten years before, but I remember trying to figure out why my hands would swell up at times. My GP actually tested for the Rheumatoid factor test, but did not tell me. I am sero-negative, or (serum?). Unfortunately, he is old school, and still doesn't believe that is what I have. It is a fact that Rheumatoid Arthritis is a clinical diagnosis, it is not diagnosed on blood work alone. It is diagnosed by blood work, observation of symptoms and x-rays, as needed. I do not know if you can bring in reference material, but the Mayo clinic website tells how RA is diagnosed and is a reputable source than most people know. Your extensive blood work should help your case.
Should you lose, and I pray you won't, re-file or re-apply. Do not give up! Also, talk to your doctor about your case, and if he has any suggestions for handling the hearing, or his/her nurse. Often they know a good way to present an argument of disability.
Hoping you win!!!!!

I'm sorry the enbrel hasn't kicked in. The doctor's notes that enbrel has not restored you to ability to function will also help a lot. You don't just have to prove your diagnosis and disability before treatment, you have to show that you are still unable to function even after treatment.

Injoy is right - keep trying!

There are a lot of doctors who diagnose strictly by bloodwork. I have a good friend, who lives in absolute misery, has not found relief from drugs, has terrible stiffness and pain, yet has been declared to be in remission by her stooopid doctors, based on normal bloodwork and lack of swelling, etc.

ananoymon, it sounds like you have full support of your doctor, and it seems like a no-brainer. Make sure you have it in writing. Sorry you're having to deal with all this, and good luck.

I have been diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis by 2 board certified rheumatologists. Based mainly on CCP Antibodies and some joint damage in the knees, along with my symptoms of joint pain.

I don't want to go to the hearing, I'm scared I will say the wrong stuff in front of the judge. I have a little bit of support from the doctor.

Just a few days ago, I saw this criteria on the SSA site 14.09D.
It says that if you have repeated manifestations of inflammatory arthritis along with fatigue, malaise and limitation of daily activities on a marked level, then you automatically qualify.

You know social services is representing me and I actually had to tell the person who is representing me about this criteria. I prepared the documents which I think PROVE that I fulfill this criteria and sent it to her a couple of weeks ago, and she does not know if the blood tests will actually be MANIFESTATIONS.

So the criteria I am asking about is MANIFESTATIONS. If I can show that part, I think they can review my documents without me having to go in front of a judge, because it meets the criteria, I automatically qualify. I don't want to go in front of the judge.

Does everybody see what I am trying to explain or need help on.

I don't redness, I don't have swelling.

I have the following on a repeated basis, from 2/2011 - present. CCP Antibody (strong positive)
Elevated ESR
Elevated C-Reactive Protein
Stiffness
Mild Anemia

So can these blood tests be used to show MANIFESTATIONS?

I have a doctor appt on Wed, and I will ask him as well.

Uggh I'm dealing with this too but with my VA disability because I was medically discharged for my RA.....they determine your disability percentage on how many episodes you have a year.....but the problem is when I call my doctor and tell him I'm in pain he just writes a prescription for prednisone, so my medical records don't specifically say how many episodes I'm having...but now I'm trying to get my case reevaluated and am showing the times I've been prescribed prednisone....my argument is, why would my Rheumy prescribe 2 weeks of prednisone if I wasn't having an acute episode? I'm still in the process, so I don't know if this will work out or not.....but it's worth a try.....let me know if you learn anything else useful! And good luck :)!!