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Date: 25.02.2011
From: Gaynor

Subject: "Mild" arthritis

I'm being told that my arthritis is "mild" because my rheumatoid factor isn't very high. Trust me ... there's nothing mild about it. It feels like it is destroying my life. I have a high pain threshold, having had a painful disability since age 12 (I'm 47 now). But this is a whole different league. Has anyone else experienced this dismissive attitude .. and how did you resolve it? All comments welcomed - I really need to get my head around this because I feel like giving up to be honest. I work fulltime and it's getting to the stage where I'm feeling so anxious when I wake up in the morning at the thought of having to move, take a shower, get dressed etc. Crazy. I'm wondering if anyone else has serious pain without having a very high rheumatoid factor.
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Date: 26.02.2011
From: cookie

Subject: Re:

Hi gaynor i have sero negative arthritis so no rheumatoid factor at all but have had ra in effect for 17 years bloody painful on and off over that time. I have felt at times my rheumy dept have dismissed me because i am sero negative. I wish they could have just 1 day as someone with our conditions to understand a little more. But my attitude is ots my life im going to live it. I work full time and have 2. Girls age 3 & 8. I think of their childhood memories and want to make sure i feature in their childhood memories as being a fun mummy. Yes i suffer but i try not to dwell on it to much your a long time dead xx
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Date: 26.02.2011
From: Lucy

Subject: Re:

Hey Gaynor, you're not alone here. My arthritis started when I was 11 months old and it took them a long time to figure out what I'd got. I've had various jumped up health professional pricks telling me I was making it up, didnt have arthritis, been forced to "walk to shower if I want one" whilst in hospital by physios and also told to have babies as it may help! You have to take it with a pinch of salt! Always ask to see your consultant not the juniors, despite the wait. I struggle with my condition and think its not so bad but it made me think when I hurt my ankle at work and had an xray last year. The A&E doc looked horrified and sat me in a room to ask if I had any joint problems! Then wanted to know how the hell I was walking on them! Just because your rheumatoid factor is neg does not make your condition any less than the next person.This is a shitty disease which we are all good at hiding in public and coping with the pain and sometimes this is our downfall as people see we're coping and think we're fine!
I've found this forum and everyone on it really helpful and good to have a moan to. It also makes you admit to your condition and has advice on new treatment and such.
Keep your chin up and dont let a negative blood test get you down. You have a very real disability and there is lots of options and help available x
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Date: 01.03.2011
From: Ingrid

Subject: Re:

Hi Gaynor I was sero positive for many years and then once I went on anti tnf and my arthritis was under control I went to being sero negative. My rhuematologist told me that he now ignores Rheumatoid Factor and now carries out a blood test called anti- CCP. He says it is far more accurate then RF and is being more widely used.It can also give a far more accurate assessment of how your disease will progress. You should ask for the test next time you have your bloods done.Whats more how dare they say that you have mild rheumatoid arthritis- is there such a thing!!???
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Date: 04.04.2011
From: steve

Subject: Re: ra factor

hi` in reply to your question yes i have a very low factor but was in a lot of pain which didn`t ad up have been on meth now for 12 w/ks and feel a lot better
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Date: 06.04.2011
From: chell

Subject: Re: oestio arthritis

hiye gaynor im 44 i was 1st diagnosed with this when i was 19yrs when i was born they thought i had congenical hips and i was under a specialist untill i was 1 yr they thought id never walk i did at 10 months i never saw my diagnosis as a threat i just like most got on with my life over the last 7yrs its worsened and had follow up xrays now i dont have much movement in my pelvis and im having to leave my job which involves sitting for most of 12 hours a shift days or nights i need an active job although ive never disclosed my disability on job applications and dont want to give up work i dont know anyone that clicks in there hips or groin area and it very hard getting out of bed as you say even just standing from been seated i to get very stressed at the doctors because for the last 25 yrs ive masked the pain and discomfort and got on with my life as normal as possible even find it hard lift my leg to get in the bath i have a restriction in my stride in right leg also which makes me limp most of the time ive recently had an operation on my toes which put me ryt out of action as i put weight on and its so hard to get it off especially working nyts hopefully the council will help me stay in full time work in an active job dont give up im getting steroid injections soon ill let you know how i get on chin up hun xxxx
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Date: 06.04.2011
From: Gaynor

Subject: Re:

Hi Chell. Can I ask what a "restriction" in your stride is?
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