RF Normal

[SJLGI]

Hi
This is my first posting on this board.

I have Hashimotos thyroiditis, one leg shorter than the other, scoliosis and lordosis and hypermobile joints. I have suffered pain in my fingers,hands, wrists, feet, knees, hips and back for a number of years - now it's permanent and increasingly painful.

I saw a rheumatologist who did blood tests and x-rays - blood test showed high ERS and CRP but normal RF - the x-rays showed some damage to discs in my spine but little else.

The rheumatologist said she thinks I have Rheumatoid Arthritis but it's not showing on the blood tests yet. She has prescribed antinflammatory drugs and arranged Physio, and an appointment with a Occupational Therapist.

Has anyone else been diagnosed RA with normal Rheumatoid Factor? Is this a common thing?

I'm 44 and in the UK.

Thanks for reading and I look forward to your comments and opinions.

S

[BeHappy2]

My Rheumatologist also thinks i have RA but my Rheumatoid Factor is also normal. I am blood tested every 6 months. My Rheumy has explained to me that there is a 10% that do have RA but do not show any Rheumatoid Factor. Thought i'd share this opinion.

BeHappy2

[mindyp]

Hi there. Like you, I am negative for the rheumatoid factor, but have persistently high erythrocyte sedimentation rate & C-reactive protein (both are markers for inflammation). My rheumatologist is treating me for seronegative rheumatoid arthritis. I am presently taking methotrexate, but will likely begin a course of Humira shortly.

So...it is possible to have RA without testing positive for the rheumatoid factor. Hopefully, your doctor will treat you aggressively so you can avoid joint damage.

[SJLGI]

Thanks for the replies

BeHappy2 - are you being treated for RA? If so, if you don't mind me asking, what treament are you recieving?

MindyP - i'm quite new to this - i've been prescribed Mobic and have to see the Rheumatologist again in Nov and have the blood tests repeated prior to appointed. How long have you been diagnosed?

Thanks again
S

[mindyp]

I have been diagnosed for about two years...all started from some unexplained aches and pains in my joints and funky bloodwork. My primary doctor originally thought lupus becasue my ANA was high as well as my ESR and CRP. I also had a strange rash on my face. My ANA has since normalized and the other more lupus-specific tests were negative. My rheumatologist says diagnosis is often one of exclusion. After much testing and symptom following, RA "fits."

The mobic you are taking is a NSAID, similar to diclofenac, alleve, etc. Thus, you are presently being treated with an antiinflammatory. My rhematologist put be on a similar drug called Daypro. He also started me on a drug called sulfasalazine and gave me a prescription for prednisone for acute flareups.

As this treatment did not eliminate symptoms, he added methotrexate, which has seemed to help some. However, given my age, 32, he'd rather treat aggressively, as my joint damage at this point is minimal. Hence, the humira, which I'll begin this month. (Humira works similarly to enbrel and remicade. These are very expensive drugs, so you will likely go through a course of all of the aforementioned "cheap" drugs first).

Humira and methotrexate are in a class of drugs called DMARD's. They suppress your immune system by various mechanisms, thereby reducing the inflammatory process and joint damage.

RA is a very treatable disease now, so don't panic. Let us know how you're doing when you see the rhematologist.

In the meantime, if you have questions, post on the board. I'll check in periodically. Good luck.