I'd like to share an article about the Vectra DA test because I think it's a therapeutic tool that's underused and under-covered by insurance and I'd like to see the test get its fair share of use and coverage.

I go to one of the most trusted rheumys in Southern California and while he knew of the test a few years ago, he didn't recommend it to me - *I* had to ask *him* about the test just over 1 year ago. When I asked why he didn't mention it before, he said "it's expensive and it's usually not covered by insurance." I took a chance with it anyway and I'm so glad I did.

The Vectra DA test showed that TNF wasn't my problem with inflammation - it was IL-6 proteins instead - no wonder TNF blockers weren't working and I was failing every biologic treatment I tried! This test helped me avoid the year or so it would have taken me to fail Remicade and Orencia before starting on the only IL-6 inhibitor out there right now - Actemra - on which I'm having the most successful response I've had up to this point.

Here's the link for the article: http://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/blog/biotech/2012/08/crescendo-rheumatoid-arthritis-vectra.html

And no, I don't work for Crescendo - but I'm very grateful for their breakthrough attempts at diagnosis - not just "here, try this med - if it doesn't work, we'll try something else!" It's made a huge difference in my life, and I'd like to see more folks being assisted with this type of forward-thinking testing.