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Wow this could be the "Nurses with RA thread"   I know exactly how both of you feel.  I am seronegative and my CRP and inflammation markers always come up negative but after 3 years of this, I know RA has to be the answer to what is wrong with me.  I have finally made the decision to stop trying to work ---I am a L&D RN--because it takes such a toll on me and I have realized it is dangerous to my pts to try to take care of them and not be able to physically do what it takes.  Also, I am completely incapacitated for 3 days after one 8 hour shift. I finished applying for disability yesterday and know it will probably be a long shot but know the Lord is in control. I am in constant, unrelenting pain, despite pain meds, MTX and humera. I am stiff all day long and my sons do most of the housework. It is very difficult to learn to live this life---I have always been full steam ahead ---working 2-3 days a week, homeschooling my sons, active in church and homeschooling community and now I am so limited as to what I can do.  I have to choose what 1 activity I want for my family for the week because that is all I have the energy to do.When the "experts" say seronegative RA is milder and you should be happy that your RF factor isn't there, they weren't talking about me. People say they don't know how we cope---there isn't any choice in the  matter, and the truth is --I am not coping very well --- I just try not to complain so much because it is fruitless.  Do you have any mental effects from this disease?  I find myself with such a decreased memory and have difficulty finding the right word or being able to concentrate?  It would really help to know if others experience this because I haven't seen it addressed anywhere else.  What do you take for the pain?  Is your rheumy aggressive in pain management?