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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BlessedFromOnHigh 04/27/2016

Have any of you had this lab test?

How do you and your Rheumatologist feel about this test?

I just received the results of my 2nd test and in 18 months I went from
a low moderate disease activity (31) to a high moderate (43) disease activity.

I have been on mtx for 5 years now. Is it time to switch to a biologic?

Besides nausea and mouth ulcers, my hair has been falling out quite rapidly during the last 8 months. Alarmingly so :(

Do ALL RA drugs have hair loss as a side effect?

Any thoughts on this? I value your opinions so much.

51percent 04/27/2016

MTX can cause hair loss but so does RA...I'd blame RA for the hair loss if you are high active in disease activity.

Jen

2leftfeet 04/27/2016

I have have this test done twice. The first time I was feeling OK, and the test results with high activity. The second test was done when I was feeling really lousy, a lot of joints hurting . This time the Vectra test said I had low activity.

My rheumatologist does look at the blood test results, but he also looks and touches my hands. He looks at and touches my feet and ankles. He asked me how I am doing. From this he decides how my treatment is going to proceed.

I am on methotrexate and a biologic, too. Fortunately, I have not lost any hair.

BlessedFromOnHigh 04/27/2016

RASally,51 percent and 2 left feet, Thank you for your thoughtful replys.

My new insurance is not accepted by my Rheumy of 5 years and there are very few Rheumatologists on our new plan.

I appreciate your knowledge, help, and concern. It is good to know more information on the Vectra and I will keep reading all the advise I can get on this darn hair loss :)

carrottop50 04/27/2016

Have you had your thyroid checked lately? I was on Mtx and plaquenil plus thyroid med... I started to lose a lot of my hair... doc rechecked my thyroid and it was what was causing the most of my hair loss. My doc upped the thyroid med but still have some hair loss but nothing like before.

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