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Date: 17.07.2011
From: Julie

Subject: Can I still have RA??

Just had letter back from rheumy, my ANA was negative as is my RF blood result. She still wants me to carry on with planequil and Predisnolone until I see her in September with what she describes as a addition to maybe starting methatraxate as well. Yet if my blood work doesnt suggest that, I am confused! I have a high CRP and ESR and clinical symptoms which on her viewing my swollen joints and asking me questions said to me '' I think it is Rheumatoid arthritis, not a definite, but in my opinion a most likey''....... Did anyone here have to have the RF and ANA to get a formal diagnosis? I have also been told by her that in September she will give me a ''group diagnosis''...
She has for the moment at top of doctors letter said I have the following:
OA of hands
Degenerative Disc Disease
Polyarthritis
High blood Pressure

Can anyone shed some light please? Kind regards & Take care xx
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Date: 17.07.2011
From: Julie

Subject: Re: Can I still have RA??

BTW my results were:

CRP 12.9
ESR 17

Are these enough for a diagnosis?
Thanks xx
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Date: 17.07.2011
From: bsk

Subject: Re: Can I still have RA??

I had something similar- your results sound very much like mine. They said initially it was sero-negative inflammatory arthritis but now call it RA. Sero-negative just means you don't test positive for RF.

They waited to give me an RA diagnosis as they were rather hoping it would go into remission. Sadly not.

Try not to get too hung up on a diagnosis as it can change :)
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Date: 17.07.2011
From: richard

Subject: Re: Can I still have RA??

Hi Julie.
I can only tell you about my own experience with RA which is that when I was diagnozed I had multiple joint pain, swollen hands and wrists, chronic fatigue and a very high Rheumatoid factor.

You may have checked this out yourself, but I looked up Rheumatoid Factor on the net and this is what it said...

"RF is often evaluated in patients suspected of having any form of arthritis even though positive results can be due to other causes, and negative results do not rule out disease. But, in combination with signs and symptoms, it can play a role in both diagnosis and disease prognosis. It is part of the usual disease criteria of rheumatoid arthritis."

Hope this helps. All the best. Richard
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Date: 17.07.2011
From: Julie

Subject: Re: Can I still have RA??

Thankyou for your replies. That was really helpful. Much appreciated and hope you are both feeling well today. Take care xx
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Date: 18.07.2011
From: cookie

Subject: Re: Can I still have RA??

Despite blood results a large part of diagnosing ra is clinical opinion. Hence why your doc has said he think you have it my history is identical to bsk 18 years later and still going strong lol. X
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Date: 18.07.2011
From: Julie

Subject: Re: Can I still have RA??

That's great. Thanks cookie. Take care xx
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