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Home / Ask the Expert

SERONEGETIVE RA

I hace seronegetive RA but I have joint damage in my hips and my doctor says that my RA is still very active despit treatment. I though that my type of RA would be less serve. Can you explain this to me?

RA Diagnosis-Negative Tests

I’m 46 & in 2002 I began getting pain & stiffness in my joints (fingers, knees, elbows, ankles, etc.) Spent 8 mths w/my GP ruling out causes. All blood work is normal. W/no diagnosis for pain/stiffness, GP referred me to a Rheumatologist; been seeing him about 3-1/2 yrs & feel very unsure of oversight. All tests by RA Dr. came back normal (and still are); he put me on methotrexate & prednisone to see if it helped. It did some but methotrexate made me sick, 6 mths of this, he switched me to Arava. 2 mths later joints were flaring & pain was continuing; he put me on Remicade w/Arava. A yr of Remicade, I reached max dosage & was receiving infusions every 4 wks w/some relief but was not steady state (added methotrexate by injection but this too made me sick). At this point he put me on Enbrel (25mg-2/wk); was feeling pretty good after 2 mths, then switched to new 50mg pre-mix once a wk. Went down hill & after 2 mths was back where I started. My RA Dr. did not believe the medication change was the cause; however, put me back on the 25mg dose. 2 mths later was still having flares so he increased Enbrel to 25mg-4/wk. A yr later I was doing alright but still having pain & occasional flares, so he put me on Humira. Humira made me sick & after 2 mths went back on double dose Enbrel. This is where I am today & am concerned over actions taken. X-rays have never been taken & I don’t feel I’m making the progress I should. A mth ago I asked my RA Dr. about the new meds out & he said he didn’t want to put me on them since they were new, he was only putting his really bad cases on them. Does it sound like I have RA or am I taking meds for something that has not been diagnosed? Do you feel my RA doctor is being proactive or should I seek out another opinion? Don?t know where to turn next. Any advice?

Neg RA factor Sed rate 10 family history RA HELP!

AFTER PREGNANCY (BIRTH MAY 7) DEVELOPED RASH ON LEGS ARMS STOMACH- TOOK 2 COURSES OF PREDNISONE 60 MIL TAPER. RASH IS GONE 3 DAYS LATER i STARTED TO HAVE JOINT PAIN. ESPECIALLY IN HIPS,KNEES,SHOULDER. SHOULDER PAIN IS GONE NOW IT IS IN WRISTS,THUMBS,KNEES HIPS. MY MOM AND SISTER BOTH HAVE RA. SISTER DIAGNOSED AT 31-AFTER HER FIRST PREGNANCY. I AM 33. ANA SCREEN WAS NEGATICE, RF QUANT WAS NORMAL, SED RATE WAS 10 – ALL OF THOSE WOULD INDICATE IT IS NOT RA BUT IT SURE FEELS LIKE RA. I DO NOT HAVE MUCH SWELLING JUST A BIT IN MY THUMB BUT OTHER SYMPTOMS SEEM LIKE RA. MUCH WORSE IN THE MORNING OR AFTER RESTING. I AM TAKING 4 ADVIL EVERY 6 HOURS AND THAT DOES HELP. I AM WAITING TO GET IN TO A RHUMATOLOGIS.WHAT DO YOU THINK- ANY CLUES OR GUESSES TO WHATS GOING ON?

RA and Eye Problems

I have RA for two and a half years. The past week I have been waking up in the morning with pain under my eye. It even hurts to blink. After awhile the sorenss wears away and returns the next morning. I have no other sign like my eye is not red, itchy and my vision is fine. Because it wears off during the day and returns the next monring I was wondering if this could be connected to my RA or Plaquenil? What eye problems can a person get due to thier RA?

RA results

I recently went to see my Primary MD because of severe arm pain the affected both sides. My RA factor came back @ 25 the lab report read high! Can you translate this for me. I do have an appointment with a Rhuematologist.

Negative bone scan and RA

5 years ago I had a bone scan that was positive and was told that I have Rheumatoid Arthritis.4 Months ago my bone scan was repeated and I was told it was normal.I was told to stop my medication. Now my pain is worse.The stiffness last for hours. I have a lot of fatigue and weakness.

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Ask The Expert Topics

  • Alternative Therapies
  • Ankylosing Spondylitis
  • Associated With Other Illnesses
  • Bursitis and Tendinitis
  • Corticosteroids
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