newly diagnosed seronegative R A

By karenekin Tuesday, November 13, 2007

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I have been diagnosed with seronegative ra after seeing an orthopede, rheumatologist and general practicioners. I also saw a GI doctor to rule out joint pain from any digestion issues. I had a hard time accepting that I had ra because I didn't test positive with the ra factor, but did have elevated sed rate. I have been on prednisone for 5 months, had an allergic reaction to sulfasalazine, no success with mobic or lodine and am now on 5 mg. of prednisone and plaquenil. I am wondering if there are others with success of this combination and how long it takes to work?

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Katherine Curtis, Editor

11/14/07 4:25pm

Dear Karenkin,

Thanks for joining our community and submitting a SharePost.

I'm sorry to hear that you've had a difficult time finding the right treatment combination. Choosing the right medicine combination really needs to be done with your doctor.

However, there is a lot of relevant information on our site about different medications. I've pulled together a few that I hope you find helpful.

Predisone, the Dirty Little Secret, Becomes More Respectable

Many Arthritis Patients Not Happy With Predisone

Information about Plaquenil

Information about Prednisone

RA Forum discussion about Plaquenil

Please let me know if you have any questions!

Best wishes,

Katherine

karenekin

12/26/07 6:45pm

I can only imagine how frustrating the results of prednisone must be for you. I have tapered myself off of prednisone and am seeing two new rheum in Jan. Plaquenil is not doing the job that I was hoping for, but I am hoping that the new rheumatologist will treat a seronetagive RA patient more diligently than my last. I am ready to get serious and solve my symptoms...a year is long enough! Good health for the new year to you!!!

Karen

Angie

12/26/07 11:02am

I too am Seronegative. Was given Plaquenil for four months. I had no positive response to it. It raised my liver enzymes to 5.5 times the normal. Was also given 15 mgs. of Prednisone for 17 mos. Had to come off of it because it raised my cholestrol level to 460 and Triglicerides from 190 to 1904! My PC doctor thought the lab had made a mistake. I am now a Diabetic from taking the Predinsone. The Prednisone kept the inflamation down, but as soon as I got completely off of it, we realized that my disease has progressed like a wildfire. Hinsight - should have gotten on the Bologics sooner! I believe that the Rheumatologist don't act agressively enough with the drug therapies.

Angie

newly diagnosed seronegative R A

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