god I wish I could see the rhuemy that quick! I think I might have sero-neg as well, saw my pcp on 12/9/11 was referred that day and called that day,...my appointment, the soonest they could get me in, is not until 2/16/12! well, definitely keep us posted, you'll be in before me, so maybe you can tell me what to expect! I wish you luck!!

First let me say you have an adorable precious baby girl! Way to go Momma!
Many on this site have sero-neg RA including myself. My Rheumatologist started me on meds right away due to my symptoms
pain swelling fever in joints and looking (and squeezing) my joints.
Rheumys are all soooo different that it is hard to say what your may do. Some take X Rays but mine hasn't.
I am glad you aregetting in soon so you can get diagnosed and get to feeling better and hopefully slow the progression etc
Meanwhile try to rest when your baby rest and take good care of yourself. Hugs

Thanks ladies! I think my LO is quite adorable too! Even if I do end up with RA, it was well worth it and I would do it all over again to have her. DH and I are done now having kids, after this traumatic birth, so I can take whatever meds I need to feel better. Hoping Feb 2nd comes fast.

I'd agree with phand... Also sero-neg, diagnosed from visible swelling and positive response to steroid treatment. I got lucky, it took awhile to get the solid diagnosis, but gp (pcp) and rheumy were quick to start treatment, before they knew for sure. Also, my rheumy was quoting some of the more recent research at the time about early and aggressive treatment.... that's always a good sign. Hopefully you get lucky and get a good one!

I agree with epi, I have read a lot of recent research on PubMed, etc that show sero-neg to generally be more difficult to treat, but they also admit that it may be due, in part, to delay in treatment while looking for a dx. SOme have even said that remission is not as likely in sero-neg, but that it too could be a result of delay in treatment.

I know how frustrating it is to go through so much waiting . . . I hope you find some answers quickly!

Thank you for sharing your beautiful baby girl with us. I was sero-negative when I was having bad swelling in knees and aches 2-1/2 years ago. A pharmacist gave me the best advice. Keep a journal. I got a composition notebook and started writing down symptoms. Such as how long does pain/swelling last in morning? Is it present all day? Worse in the morning? Worse at night?

I was very lucky to get into Rheumatologist quickly after gp saw me. My fantastic gp actually stayed her lunch hour to see me and run labs.She called a rheumatologist who owed her favor to get me in the next week. I still thank her to this day. I was put on prednisone and kept on prednisone until I saw rheumy. The rheumy listened to my notes and looked at my hands, knees. Inflammatory arthritis he said. He could tell by looking.

Good Luck and enjoy that baby!

@ Wendy- Thanks! I am on my second episode of swelling with my knee. It started yesterday morning after vacuuming, and got worse all day, despite aleve. It was a little better this morning, but swelled back up almost as bad as yesterday once I got up and moved around. I am hoping they will find some treatment to help me function better. It is hard taking care of a 4-month old with all these aches and pains and swelling.

Keep a journal and be persistent. Don't take "see you in six months" from anyone. I am sero-negative and initially, the rheum was skeptical. I woke up a couple of weeks later with swollen hands, shoulders and feet. Called them up and they had me come in for an exam. The number of swollen joints and tenderness added up and they started creating my drug plan.

In the beginning even tho I was sero negative I had so many visuals I was dx'd immediately.
However now that my RA is controlled and I am sero negative- I do not feel my RD takes me seriously.
He sees such a turn around in my condition...I was completely disabled...to fully functional that he doesn't address my concerns. I don't think he believes my pain, fatigue, etc.
Honestly pain pales in comparison to what I lived through during onset. I have a new perception of pain. Now I call what I have discomfort but I have adapted....
Thinks RA Stinks......

Sero-negative, if I'm not mistaken, is actualy more popular than sero-positive. It takes a good doctor to diagnose it, some one who can put the pieces together.

Consider yourself lucky that they're moving so quickly with you. Sad story, I was sero-positive. I went years going to my GP with complaints, he kept telling me it was because I was a young mom of three kids. He never so much as took blood. Finally went to a different GP, he ran labs, and instantly found the RA!!

I agree with the journal, write it all down while it's happening. We tend to forget a lot while we are sitting in doctors office.

What a little sweetheart. Nothing more precious.

I had a good friend who encouraged me long before my doctor did to get into a good Rheumy. She told me you will get more blood work then youv'e ever had done by any other doctor. You need that blood work. They need to look at more & past the fact you tested negative.

More & more patients need to be their own advocate.

Wendy made a good suggestion, start some kind of journal. Some doctors like them others just ignore them but you'll be surprised on how handy it will be in the future.
Any & all symptoms, when it started, what makes it worse, what brings relief, such as rest, moist heat....ect....

When my original problems started yrs ago my PCP's office tested me for RA & it was negative. Now I'm positive & I have to wonder. If I knew then what I know now I would have been asking a lot more questions. Back then I gave up with so many doctors treating me like it was in my head or like I was some depressed middle age wife & mother. I stopped being my own advocate for while there & I wish someone would have gave me the kick in the butt I needed then.

More & more patients are advised go in prepared. Take a list of questions & whatever else you have with you.
If you want copy the list & hand one to your doctor. Ive done this & actually had the doctor thank me.

I think I would let this RA know you realize you can test negative & still have RA. You may want to ask what else could cause these symptoms & pain?

Your a new mom & you want & need to enjoy your little one.
So be sure this RA takes his or her time & you get the attention you deserve. At the least you should have more blood work & x-rays or tests. As that is another way of looking for certain types of Arthritis.

Something is causing this & your PCP is sending you to where he believes you need to be. Take pictures if your joints are visibly swollen & red. Who knows how it will be the day of the appointment.
My last appointment was on the perfect day. My hand was swollen something awful, red & burning. Got the RA's attention right away.

I don't get why doctors, such as RAs, PMs often rate how you feel or look the day of the visit when there is every other day to consider.
I realize they go a lot of physical exams but as patients we know every day can be different.
I wish you the best of luck & curious to see how your appointment goes. I really hope you have a good RA that will take the time that you deserve.
Blessing to you & little sweetheart.
Sammy