I have complained of achy joints in my hands and wrists for about 2 years now.My Dr. said it was from repetitive motion,since I am a pharmacy tech.Recently a PAC at my Dr.'s office ran some blood tests and I have a positive ana but a negative ra.Could I still have ra anyway.I am really scared about the possibilities of lupus.
Q: I have a positive ana but negative ra.can I still have ra?Worried about lupus.
Answers (2)
9/ 4/09 11:23am
A negative Rheumatoid Factor (RF) result does not rule out RA (20 % of RA patients are sero-negative, meaning that the blood test is negative), neither does a positive ANA. But if the ANA is high, that could indicate lupus, but not necessarily. It would not be helpful to assume anything before you know for sure, because there are other possibilities.
My youngest sister (50 yrs old) had a high ANA and a negative RF. She does not have lupus, she has Polymyalgia Rheumatica (though she's very young for tha diagnosis). Her muscles got so stiff she could hardly get up (this is someone who was always very active, physically fit, with no other medical problems). She was started on about 7.5 mg prednisone, went up to 15 for a while, and is now back down to 7.5 and doing very well. She hopes to get off it eventually.
Supposedly Polymyalgia Rheumatica is a temporary condition and goes away after a couple of years. Time will tell. I have another sister (the oldest at 64) who was also diagnosed with Polymyalgia Rheumatica about the same time. Her journey has been a little rougher ... in addition to stress from divorce and work, she was on both prednisone and Aleve (bad combination - did her doctor know she was taking the Aleve?). She ended up in the ER throwing up blood from an ulcer. (Would you believe she was there because her boyfriend was having chest pain, and then this happened to her - thank goodness she was in the right place to get help immediately!)
As you can see, we have a genetic susceptibility in my family - my grandmother, and aunt, and cousin all have RA (or did before they passed away at around 80 yrs old). Sorry if I've gotten off track here... anyway, I hope this will help you be patient as you and your doctor search out exactly what your problem is ... there are also other possibilities that cause arthritis such as Lyme disease and who knows what!
8/19/10 6:26pm
Hi Ive also read that a neg ANA necessarily doesnt mean you dont have Rheumatoid Arthritis either. I do have an elevated Sed Rate of 48 and a CPR of 1.5. I already have one autoimmune disease which is Hashimoto Thyroid Disease which is kicking my butt and then some, I have osteoarthritis in hand, both knees and lower back. Ive been having bad fatique, hurting bad and have like lumps in my legs which doctor thought may be ra nodules so my question alone if im reading right elevated sed rate (esr) and CPR are high this does mean possible Rheumatoid Arthritis or no?? thanks jen
9/ 4/09 8:59am
No you don't have RA, but you do need to see a rheumotologist ASAP and start treatment so it won't affect the rest of your life :) Hang in there.
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By kb— Last Modified: 12/26/10, First Published: 09/03/09
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Hi Ive also read that a neg ANA necessarily doesnt mean you dont have Rheumatoid Arthritis either. I do have an elevated Sed Rate of 48 and a CPR of 1.5. I already have one autoimmune disease which is Hashimoto Thyroid Disease which is kicking my butt and then some, I have osteoarthritis in hand, both knees and lower back. Ive been diagnosed with alot lately. Ive been having bad fatique, hurting bad and have like lumps in my legs which doctor thought may be ra nodules so my question alone if im reading right elevated sed rate (esr) and CPR are high this does mean possible Rheumatoid Arthritis or no?? thanks jen