How Rheumatoid Arthritis Is Diagnosed
Unlike diabetes or kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) cannot be diagnosed with a simple blood test. Instead, the diagnosis often takes time and is based largely on what the doctor hears from....
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How Rheumatoid Arthritis Is Diagnosed
I also have the R.A. symptoms, but no anti-bodies. My joints damage in pairs, from left to right. They get a burning (and painful) sensation, when I use them (ice helps). My joints are riddled with bone spurs. I was wondering: is it possible to have R.A. with out the ant-bodies? Is it possible to have both R.A. and Osteoarthritis?
I remember doctors (years ago) casually mentioning that I had arthritus here and there, but never offering a treatment. I thought that everyone got it and had to just live with it . I currently, don't have a doctor. Mine quit accepting my insurance. They are few and far between. Hope to find one soon.
In the mean time; I'm trying the gluten an sugar-free diet... Also, lot's o' supplements.
...Sheyenne
My broer is baie lank terug gediagnoseer met rimuiede artritis en het albei sy bene al verloor in die proses omrede sy are verkalk. Hy is so pas in sy arm ook ge-opereer met vergroeisels wat by sy pols uitgekom het. Die dokters het die vergroeisels uitgesny en toetse gedoen om vas te stel wat dit is en wat dit veroorsaak.. My probleem is, ek is die afgelope paar maande permanent moeg en het pyn in my gewrigte oral in my lyf. My voete en bene pyn verskriklik deur die dag en as ek gaan le in die aand. Ek is bekommerd dat ek dalk dieselfde siekte as my broer mag he. Watse toetse sal u voorstel wat gedoen moet word om vas te stel dat ek dit ook het of nie. Ek het ook pyn agter in my blad aan albei kante van my rug. Ook as ek diep asem haal. My hande, vingers, voete, kniee, en tone se gewrigte is baie seer elke dag
Baie dankid
It has helped me so good luck. One day I just got really mad at the medical practice and that was the best thing I could have done.
I am a little disappointed in this article when it says R.A. cannot be diagnosed with a blood test. Blood work will be the first thing your Rheumatologist will do at your Nov. 15th appt. R.A. is an autoimmune disorder. If you have an autoimmune disorder you will have antibodies that will show up in the blood tests. Then it will take a full exam to see if it is R.A.,or Osteoarthritis, Scleroderma which is inflamation of the muscles and also involves hardening of the skin, or Fibromalgia etc.
If the doctor that told you that you had R.A. has already done the labs and you have an autoimmune disorder you might ask him to start you out on Prednisone. Not only will it take care of the swelling and pain but it will also help with fatigue. If the doctor that diagnosed you will not prescribe the Prednisone call the Rheumatologist's office and ask to speak to the nurse. Tell her the amount of pain your in and ask for suggestions such as applying ice or heat or wearing the gloves that people with carpel tunnel wear. The chances of them prescribing any medication before seeing you are probably very slim.
When seeing a new specialist I always ask to be put on a wait list so if they have a cancellation I can get in sooner. If they don't have a wait list then check each morning to see if they have had any cancellations. Also be sure that you have all your records from every doctor that has treated you over the past 5 years, along with all surgeries and a current list of all meds, doses and # of times taken a day.
I will be praying for you, Julie. I know how painful R.A. is. When I went to my Rheumatologist I had antibodies for R.A., Scleroderma and along with the antibodies I had some sort of marker for Primary Bilary Cirrhosis. A liver biopsy ruled out the P.B.C. and as time went on and symptoms manifested I was finally diagonsed with R.A.
and Scleroderma. I remember how scared I was and how much pain I was in but the Lord blessed me with the most incredible Rheumatologist and I am praying you will feel the same about yours.
Take it one day at a time, Julie. Try to move as much as you can. I know how hard that can be but the longer you remain immobile the more inflammation and fatigue will worsen.
Please let us know your appt. turns out.
God Bless You,
Cindi
thankyou, Julie
Many Thanks
Occassionaly, like now, I have some areas that bother me, like my hands, but I am scheduled to see my hand doctor and he will give me a steroid shot in the joint and all will be well. I type a lot at work, so my hands bother me a lot, but this is more the job than the RA. I think I am just more susceptible.
I highly recommend Enbrel or other drugs like it. However, these drugs are very expensive and I am lucky enough to have a great medical plan. Tylenol for arthritis works pretty well for me for the small aches and pains.
Three weeks ago I woke during the night, stepped down on my foot and experienced severe pain. This has been nonstop since then. Then this morning I had pain in my hands. I'm pretty sure this is RA as I have been experiencing low grade fevers and flu like symptoms. I wish everyone the best on their recovery and diagnoses. Thank you.
Here is my experience... I suddenly began having joint pain just about everywhere, sciatica, muscle spasms, couldn't sleep. My primary said ph you just have a little arthritis from the weather. The emercency doctor said maybe fibromyalgia. I told her it was a dump ground diagnosis for lazy doctors. Of course she defended it.
I eventually got a rf test and bloodwork. Rf neg. Esr 2. Got a corticosteroid shot and evrything went away. Thought I was crazy. Primary thought I was just trying to get out of work.
Well a month later went running and it all started again. I went to a private lab and paid 850 dollars for a complete arthritis panel and a uric acid test. My feet were real bad. Positive ccp. Positive hlab27. Esr is still only 3.
Referre to a huge rheumo clinic to a doctor who wouldn't do any additional testing and gave me prednisone and wrote lies on the documents for my doctor. Said he did this ans that and he didn't. My doc could tell it was crap because things I had seen her for he didn't ask me about but said were negative.
I found my one rheumy. A one docotr small operation with mri in office. These type of doctors rely on patients to keep their practice open. The others are paid the same pretty much because they are part of a healthcare clinic.
He did all the tests and mri of wrists showed bone erosion and synovitis. So did my ankles, etc.
He has me on the right medicine.
Long story short ask for the tests you want. If the doctor won't do it then tell them you will find a another doctor.
She feels pain in whole body instead of specific joints.
She feels difficulty in standing from sitting position.
We have treated her by methotraxate 10mg every week,20mg lefora evry day
Then he said something about fibro- I dont think they no.
I am 35, and have had RA since i 13 years old. It took years for me to be diagnosed, and most of my joint damage is from then. My daughter is 14 years old.suggest me where take treatment near delhi. what prpblum coming in my doughter ?
Please advice me what to do?
I desperately need to find a less stressful job, but in the meantime, I would appreciate any suggestions regarding organizations and foundations that could assist with Cobra payments during my search.
Thanks
Laurie
A little about myself- about 2,1/2 years ago i had lots of things go wrong with me.Finely saw a neurologist, had blood test, CT scan,Bone scan you name it, it was done and lots money we dident have. All the test checked out, I have Savere Rheumatoid Arthritis, and deterioration of the 2nd and 3rd Lumbar Vertebra allso, 4 years ago i had to have a Pace Maker put in for Bradycardia Arrhythmia, that Iam told may have been caused by the RA. And darn the luck, on a nice saturday in june this year 2009- I steped down 1 little step and broke my ankle!
ER doctor puting the cast on my ankle said i should have another bone scan done. Now as my luck goes, I have Osteoporosis, yes i have pain, I get tired very easy with any activity, and 2 or 3 days a week my body hurts all over, in every joint. I never thought I would be in this shape by 50.
So here is my question to someone who might can tell me, I am taking at this time:
Plaquenil 200mg 2xday, Humira injection once every 10 days, Darvocet 1x or 2x a day, Imipramine at bed time, Prednisone when i need them, Methylprednisolone 40mg injection every 65 days in between 2nd/3rd lumbar, Potassium CHLER 20MEQ at bed time, BONIVA every 30 days, Folic Acid 600mg tab 1xday,
and Calcium 650mg 2xday,, what is this cocktail of drugs going to do to me in the long run to other parts of my body? I would like to know if someone here can tell me. I all ready have side Effects from some of the drugs, like sudden Dizziness or Balance, its like someone fliped a switch on and off.
Thank you, Patsy
I've been on several medications, (including metheltraxate) and none of worked well. My Rheumatologist wants me to begin with Remicade infusions and I am willing, yet my insurance company will not decrease the co-pay of $150 per infusion. I, simply, cannot afford it. I've researched and cannot find assistance, so at this point, I am unable to get the necessary infusions to retard the disease process that has quickly taken over my body and to relieve the systemic pain that I am challenged with, day in and day out.
If anyone has any suggestions, I will greatly appreciate it. I am disabled with Lupus, RA, etc., yet not eligible for Medicaid. I called a rebate program, yet I can't afford to put out the initial cost, so a rebate program really doesn't help me.
Thanking you in advance for any suggestions and recommendations that you may have so I may live, optimally.
The symptoms you described are the ones my wife had for more than 8 months including the lost of hair until she was diagnosed with MS and Fybromalagia (No sure about the spelling).
I was reading this blog because my Dr. told me I may have Arthitis in the begining stage and to be honest I am scare of having it since my wife already has MS and is difficult as it is already.
I have pain in my wrists but no apparent swelling. Most of the pain is in my left wrist but my right is a bit sore and noisy. Did anyone else have similar symptoms in the beginning?
Please help. Thanks.
I am 42, and have had RA since i 13 years old. It took years for me to be diagnosed, and most of my joint damage is from then. My daughter is 14 years old now and was diagnosed earlier this year with RA. :( But, since i noticed the signes and took her ASAP for treatment she is doing GREAT. We both take enbrel. Life changing for us both!!! :)
While I test zeronegative on blood tests, I present with swelling, stiffness, and burning pain of the joints of my hands/fingers and wrists/elbows. I am usually fatigued especially at the end of the day when the pain often prevents me from relaxing. To a lesser degree, I also have joint issues with my toes, knees and most recently the shoulders.
I have previously responded to methrotrexate and prednisone treatment.
Due to a disastrous experience with a given rheumatologist, I am awaiting an appointment with a different specialist; someone, I trust, will treat me with respect, empathy and competency.
Ileana
July 21, 2009
Regarding your comment on 02 Jun 2009, 10:47. I also have osteoarthritis and my Primary doctor wants me to see a Rhuematologist. He thinks it's turned in RA. I wanted to make a suggestion regarding meds. I've taken Relafen for a few years and it helps. You may want to ask your doctor about this. Definately take calicum suppliments. Thanks
Pat
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