Lynn, I think you're doing a disservice to people by saying that. Dietary changes can certainly be a part of management. Managing this disease takes more than just the meds. Stress reduction, sleep, and diet can be contributing factors. Cure, no. Management, a contributing factor. I wish you'd differentiate between the two instead of lumping it all together as you do.

Here is what years of being on forums have taught me:

Newly diagnosed people will defer real treatment for RA the minute they hear there is a diet "treatment."

The newly diagnosed do some research and come across all the side effects of the drugs and decide, "Hey - why do that when I can just change my diet?"

So the diet change happens and three-four months later they discover the disease symptoms are still there, typically worse. Then they decide to try DMARDS and it takes a longer time to arrest the disease.

So no, I don't think my saying that diet changes as a treatment modality do a disservice.

Again, being active, having a balanced diet, and living life as best as you can are all imperative. But it's a small part of the picture. The major component is the DMARDS.

Welcome. I too am a healthcare professional and I am also seronegative. I am on injectable methotrexate and plaquanil. I suffer many side effects of the methotrexate, but the plaquanil gave me nothing it's tolerated well.

@ Linzsey "so you can have lots of variety on how you make it through each day"

yeah that's a spot on statement. there is a TON of variety in my days based on joint fluid up down up down up down. lately not so much up. it's nice that you are posting again. welcome back.

Dancersluvhockey- I was dx with Sero-Negative RA about 1 year ago and most of my symptoms came out of nowhere. I started with Trigger thumb and hand pain, burning, and stiffness. I ended up getting a cortisone shot for my Trigger thumb which helped that specific issue but my hands still hurt. The biggest hurdle for me has been extreme fatigue. I was falling asleep at work which was really embarrassing but I just couldn't help it. My inflammation levels are moderately high and x-rays showed some joint erosions in my hands. My RA doctor started me on Plaquenil and I have definitely noticed a difference. My hands are still a bit stiff but they are not hot anymore, nor do they burn or ache. And, my fatigue has gotten better; still have bad days. I have other joint pains but the Plaquenil has definitely helped. I do not have any side effects and I have been on the medication since 7 months. Please note, I'm very sensitive to many medications, chemicals, etc. so the fact that the medication didn't bother me says a lot. But, everybody's "body" is different and reacts differently. Listen to your gut and do what you think is best. Just remember, with RA, it is best to attack the disease right away so that you can prevent joint destruction and other nasty issues. Good Luck to you!
Beth

I am seronegative as well. thankfully my rheumatologist did xrays and saw evidence of rheumatoid on the xray and he listened to me. Methotraxate and occasional predisone for flares has really done wonders for me. I just increased my dose and will start taking via injection. I wish you the very best. It is frustrating when the labs say you are "normal" and you know you are anything but....