Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...

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Muscles & Bones
/ Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

new to group and overwhelmed

bettyboopy
bettyboopy

I am a new diagnosis.   I saw rheumatologist this week.  I have a "convincing story" and positive family history. Was recently on prednisone for bronchitis and it helped the pain. and I have rheumatoid changes seen on xray.  BUT all of my lab work thus far has been negative or inconclusive.  Has anyone else had this?  The doctor told me there is a good percentage of patients without lab confirmation.  prescribed Plaquinil.  Anyone on this medication?   a bit overwhelmed..  looking forward to the support

californialynn
californialynn
Yes, I have it: it's called seronegative RA. I believe -stand to be corrected - that about 20% of all RA patients are seronegative.

I was correctly diagnosed in 1992. Have had well over a hundred labs done in all these years and always come out normal EXCEPT for my CRP, which is elevated [and can mean other things].

Plaquenil is a "starter" drug. Most insurance companies require you to start at lower level drugs - on rare occasions it works. If it hasn't in a couple months or if you just can't wait any longer, you need to step up the game and be our own best advocate by asking [demanding?] a higher level DMARD, such as Methotrexate.

The present day treatment is to arrest the development of the disease - hold it at bay. Once damage is done, it's done.

Do a lot of research because you need to be your own best advocate.

Welcome to the group, though sorry you need to be here.

Lynn
Bluegal62
Bluegal62
That's exactly how I was diagnosed. Currently going on my 5th dose of MTX. So far so good, no miraculous changes, seems to be very subtle and slow. I haven't experienced any side effects to this point
californialynn
californialynn
MTX is a time honored treatment. I've been on it since diagnosed. It may take a couple months to see appreciable improvement.

In my view everyone should start on MTX.
yankeesgrrl
yankeesgrrl
I am seropositive for RA (like there was ZERO mistaking that I had it with my numbers) but my mom was recently diagnosed and is seronegative. The only text that showed anything was the Vectra DA which showed she had a high level of disease activity. I've been on MTX since I was diagnosed several years ago, and am getting ready to try yet another medication because they can't seem to find one that is working for me.
MarleneJ
MarleneJ
I was also sero-negative, wasted 3 years getting a diagnosis, and then a year on Plaquenil which was far too mild, resulting in severe RA. Please push for mthx, with your rheumatologist. There is a myth that sero-negative is mild RA, when it can be anything but.

I just found out from my opthamologist that the Plaquenil I took 2 years ago, which did NOTHING, can damage my eyes for 5 years after I am off of it. What a terrible risk, to take a drug known to not work for severe RA, and perhaps go blind because of it. On the other hand, I had no side effects while on Plaquenil. Not sure if that means anything, when it didn't work twice, for 2 years total.