Just reading about topics regarding Arthritis. My RH Factor is extremely high in the 800's (should be 14 under). My rheumatologist says I have fibromyalgia not RA. I don't have joint deformity but I do have joint pain (last 12 years). Just recently diagnosed with fibro. I just had a bone scan and it showed inflammation in my joints I was complaining about but they say it's not RA. Doctors said if it was RA the inflammation would show up more on scan. My symptoms are classic fibro and some RA, but no no joint deformity or major swelling.

ANYONE HAVE ANY COMMENTS ABOUT THIS?????....I don't understand why I have such an elevated RA factor...they can't explain it. After I had my son 12 years ago I started with hip pain then moved to different parts, fatigue, etc. My RH factor was elevated in 200's back then...each year it continues to rise and now it's in 800's. I also have elevated sed rate in 20's.

PLEASE IF ANYONE HAS INFO...LET ME KNOW! I afraid I'm going to be hit with this crippling disease.

Zsongstress http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/confused.gif

Hey Zsongstress,

I would recommend getting a second (or third) opinion if I were you.. It's much better to put your mind at ease and start treatment for RA than to be misdiagnosed and/or constantly wonder if your current rheumy might be wrong..

If you decide to see another rheumatologist, I would not bring up your other doctor or the word fibromyalgia if I were you.. Instead, just tell him or her that you've had a positive RH factor in the past, explain your symptoms and tell them that you would like to be tested again.. If you have copies of past bloodwork (without your current rheumy's name on them), that might help too..

The only reason that I suggest not bringing your current doctor's name into the scenario is because once the word fibromyalgia is out on the table, it's likely the diagnosis you will consistently get.. It is possible for RA to coexist with fibromyalgia, so I don't think your rheumatologist can just automatically assume that fibromyalgia is the only thing wrong with you (especially since your RH factor has been high for the past 12 years)..

But I'm not a doctor.. I'm just speculating.. In any event, I wish you the best of luck!

Take Care,
Melanie

I had x-rays recently of my ankle that I had sprained which showed some arthritis due to a former ankle sprain about 10 years ago. I never had any pain in either ankle, they felt kind of stiff sometimes.

We can have arthritis in joints without it being rheumatoid arthritis. RA is the kind that gives lumps and bumps in joints and soon it becomes crippling and unmovable. (I think I am right about this.)
I don't think there is such as diagnosis as "some RA" You either have it or you don't. All of my RA tests have been negative.

There is also osteoporosis that can cause pain in joints. Some people develop pain, some won't. Some may get the pain later in life. Some get a hump in the upper neck and back.

I agree with Melanie, get a second opinion.

I wonder if you have an undetected bacterial infection?

I get weird pains in my fingers and toes. Not an arthritic pain, just short stabbing pain that last a few seconds.

I also get walnut size lumps on the bones in the back of the head near the upper neck. It gets swollen and very tender to touch. It usually will last 24 to 48 hours. There are so many weird symptoms with fibromyalgia. One time my potassium was really out of limits. A week later everything was normal. (At the time I had heart palpatations too.) So I eat a bananna everyday, take calcium and magnesium and a multi-vitamin and vitamin E and folic acid; all of these once a day. We do what we can on our own to feel as good as we can.

I also am on 3 mg fast-acting Naltrexone that increases my natural endorphins and stabalizes my immune system so I am having many more good days without fatigue and pain. No more morning stiffness like I had three motnhs ago. What a blessing this has been for me. I hardly ever take a pain pill or muscle relaxant now, especially since my ankle is healing so well.
Hope this helps. Melanie has such good advice!! Just adding my 2 cents here. MistyMisty

RA vs. Fibro

RA
involves inflammation of the lining of many different joints in your body. In some people, RA can also affect other parts of the body, including the blood, the lungs, and the heart. Inflammation of the joint lining, called the synovium, can cause pain, stiffness, swelling, warmth, and redness. The affected joint may also lose its shape, resulting in loss of normal movement. RA can last a long time, and can be a disease of flares (active) and remissions (little to no activity

FIBRO
This chronic syndrome is associated with pain and stiffness throughout the tissues that support and move the bones and joints. Pain and localized tender points occur in the muscles and tendons, particularly those of the neck, spine, shoulders, and hips. Other common symptoms include widespread pain, fatigue, and sleep disturbances