I need some help interpreting blood tests! I suspect RA since I have joint pain, stiffness and swelling in both hands, feet and knees. Also joint pain in neck and lower back. In addition, I also have a baker's cyst behind one knee and fatigue that is overwhelming. The joint pain in my hands has increased so I went to dr. to run tests to screen for RA. Results came back normal for CCP, sed rate and crp. However, RF is elevated to 24 (<14 is norm). Could this be RA? Is it possible to have a neg. CCP with a positive RF? I have looked everywhere for this info but it appears to be a rare occurrence. Dr. has referred me to a rheumatologist. Any answers?
7/18/11 8:39pm
Hi, MrsMMA,
Sorry to hear you are not feeling well, but you do have symptoms of RA. Blood tests are only one tool used by good rheumatologists to diagnose RA. Some people never have "abnormal" blood tests, and I am one of them. I have seronegative RA. It took a while ot get a diagnosis because I saw two not-so-good rheumys before I found a good one. By that time, I had joint erosisons. My point is that you know your body, and you really must advocate for yourself. How long does the stiffness last in the morning...just a little while, or all day? You said you ahve swelling in both hands, feet & knees. Have you been prescribed NSAIDs or Prednisone, and did they help? Please give us a little more information, and we will certainly try to help. RA is a complex disease and can be quite overwhelming until it is brought under control. There are 5 Things to Look for in a Rheumatologist
Blessings,
V
7/18/11 10:55pm
I hope it isn't so, but IMHO it surely sounds as though you have some sort of autoimmune disease going on. You might want to keep a pain journal and take it to your appt. Some rheumys like to see them, and some don't, but at least it could jog your memory when you are talking to the doc. I find it hard to remember everything I want to say or ask when I am at the doctor's office. I have DDD in my spine from top to bottom and OA along w/the RA. It is not uncommon to have more than one thing going on at once. The untreated RA destroyed my knees and so it will be TKR in the future. I am trying to put it off, and my orthopedic doc is giving me synvisc injections. I recently had some orthotics made for my feet and I think they are going to be good...once I get used to them LOL. Just want you to know there are things out there can help you feel better in addition to the meds. Please feel free to post and ask any questions you would like. We have some great experts here and a caring community who understands what you are going through. You might want to read Sero-Negative RA: Early Symptoms, Denial & Diagnosis Please keep us posted on how you are doing.
Peace,
V
7/20/11 11:23pm
"When patients are negative for CCP but have a positive RF, then the clinical signs and symptoms are more vital in determining whether they have RA or some other inflammatory condition."
http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/rheumatoid/tab/test
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By MrsMMA— Last Modified: 07/20/11, First Published: 07/18/11
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Thank you for the fast reply! The aching joints in my feet, hands, and knees last all day although it is worse in the morning. Takes me a couple of hours to loosen everything up, but if I sit for more than 40 min or so I stiffen up again. I had an MRI 10 years ago for my left knee (I was in excrutiating joint pain) and had blood work that showed some elevated RF and a Baker's cyst but no medication was ordered for me at that time (however I had physical therapy for 4 months). Since then nothing but daily knee pain until last November when I discovered my hands were so stiff and sore. My feet began to hurt when walking and I started experiencing severe foot cramps if was on them more than an hour. Now instead of one knee, it's both. My neck and lower back have been hurting off and on for over a year and I had xrays done last year that showed disintegration in my C4-7 discs. The doctors have prescribed Flexeril, Tamadol (for pain), Advil, and Aleve to date. I see the Rheumatologist Aug. 3 and hope he can find out why I have a neg. CCP and a positive RA. I am also hoping this does not stall any treatment while they are discovering what is wrong with me.