Yes, I have sero negative RA. My doctor made the diagnosis based on my symptoms (constantly hot, swollen joints in both hands, wrists, shoulders, knees, etc.) and fatigue. The clincher was the erosion that was visible in my hands on X-ray. My blood tests are off in some ways (positive ANA) but not on the usual RA tests. Another thing that helped when I first got sick was a "prednisone challenge"- I took a short course of prednisone to see if it would help my symptoms. It worked like magic for me, which made it clear that I had an inflammatory condition. Lots of other folks on ths board are sero negative as well- if that's what you have, you're in good company here. If you have a doctor who insists that blood tests are the only way to make an RA diagnosis, he's out of date, and you'll need to find a second opinion. Good luck to you!

I also am seronegative. The confirming dx was symptoms, mri which showed synovitis in my hand and wrist, plus relief when started on meds.

Thanks, mine was diagnosed on symptoms as well.

I was also diagnosed based on symptoms. It took over 2 years to get a diagnosis and symptoms has been going on for alot longer than that. My first diagnosis was fibro, then I got referred to a different rheumatologist, got a diagnosis of inflammatory arthritis, when I didn't improve with just nsaids and my feet felt like they were broken, I finally got the diagnosis of RA, My labs just show mildly elevated sed rate and crp. All others are negative. The first rheumatologist told me that if my labs were negative there was no way I could have RA. I hate to think how many people are out there suffering because he doesnt believe in sero negative RA.

I had been seeing an orthopedist, off & on for a few years. In Jan, 2012, I complained about my feet - both feet. A referral to a Physical Therapist was made (again, so she was familiar with me & my issues). After visiting back & forth between the Ortho & the PT, they both decided I needed to see a Rheumatologist.

Blood tests were done, which showed I was the picture of health (except for some really low Vit D levels). But, the Rheu listened to my symtoms, could see the swelling and redness. My feet were hit really hard by this. My hands also have problems, but nothing like my feet. I also am tired.

Once I got on the drug combo (MTX and Humira), things improved so much., and quickly. Mtx alone was absolutely zero help.

Not perfect. Still tired. Occasionally flares. But, nothing like it was.

I am also seronegative. Right at first my doc insisted that because my tests were mostly normal that it was just OA. But after several months she could no longer ignore all the symptoms (mirrored severe pain in ALL joints, fatigue, low grade fevers etc.) and she referred me to a rheumy. The tests he did came back normal too, but after my exam and discussing my symptoms he said there was no way it wasn't RA. I've seen different statements about the percentage, but up to 50% of patients are seronegative for at least the first few months and 20-30% will always be negative despite obvious progression of the disease.

I too am sero negative. Fortunately, my rheumy listened to her gut and went straight for a MRi of my hands. It was a grueling two hour experience but in a few days I got a phone call from my rheumy herself and I'll never forget it. She said "You've got blatant RA". Later on I found out that an MIR is considered the gold standard for diagnosis now.

I just found out my blood work showed a normal RF and ANA, but the SED rate and CRP were still abnormal. I guess I will just have to wait and see what they decide to do next. I'm hoping I can still get in with the Rheumatologist at the end of the month. I am so confused and so new to this all. I have never seen a Rheumy and I hope the one I found is decent.

As others have also responded, my Sero-negative RA was diagnosed by ruling out other issues and due to the good response to Prednisone. Nothing else seemed to help with my flare-ups. In fact, my condition was deteriorating until I began aggressive treatment for RA. Prednisone almost always gives me relief. I suspect I'm not alone when I say I wish the diagnosis had been confirmed by a lab test. Always lingering in the back of my mind (especially during major flare-ups) is, "did the doctor get it right"?

Also sero-negative here, was dx with MRI of rt hand-funny thing ins would only approve MRI of 1 hand even though had pain and swelling multiple areas , but showed erosions in 4 joints so I guess doesn't matter as got dx and started on meds although wondering about other hand, wrists and feet, Prednisone for me also had marked decrease in pain and swelling

I, too, am seronegative. I haven't "officially" been disagnosed yet on paper, but the Dr. is leading me to believe it is SeroNegative RA. In fact, he told me I can "think of it and research info as RA".

As someone else posted earlier, I was also originally given a diagnosis of Fibromyalgia and OA. I was given AntiDepressants and a Fibromyalgia drug. Neither did much of anything.

Last year, our insurance plan changed and I was forced to find a new Rheumatologist. After a lot of back and forth with the Office Manager of my current Rheumy office, I finally got in (8 months later!!!) with a different Dr. in the same office. He is the highest rated in the office and man, am I ever glad I got in with him!!!

In the first visit, he did another exam, labs and started me on RA drugs (Plaquenil) and refilled an Rx for Mobic which I had been on.
He didn't dismiss the Fibromyalgia diagnosis, but he did ask me how I was doing with it. I told him very bluntly that I didn't think I had Fibro and that I was having more joint problems than anything else. He also dismissed the OA diagnosis!

This doctor just seems to listen to the symptoms more than anything and is willing to accept a "sero-negative" diagnosis and doesn't make me feel like I'm a wackjob making this all up (the previous Dr. did!)

Yes I have it. It has taken 3 rheumatologists and sadly
20 years to get a firm diagnosis. For a
While they just called it inflammatory arthritis.
Basically diagnosed due to symptoms and that
Prednisone always works wonders. And dr ruled
Out anything else it could be ...

Me too. I was diagnosed pretty quickly, as my first nasty flare was extreme. Took that Ruemy five minutes, I wish I could go back to her, but she is out-of-network, and I can't pay retail for these drugs. I need a new Ruemy. My current one is telling me that I don't have RA in my feet, it must be OA and the bunions are hereditary. I can't walk very far, like from my car to a store. She actually said to me, "You have RA everywhere else, but not in your feet". I asked about an MRI, she said that I don't need one because she can see I have RA in my hands. Idiot . Thanks for listening.

I was also negative. I was diagnosed by symptoms like swollen hands, wrists, pain, and fatigue. There was also an ultrasound of my hands that clearly showed the inflamation. I have to agree with CarenintheRain. If you have a doctor who thinks that blood tests are the only way to diagnose, you need a new doctor. My Rheumatologist has given me an education in the art of diagnosis and treatment. Medicine has come a long way in the last few years.

I was sero-negative for 20+ years... now I am sero-positive.