Does this sound like anyone else?

I'm 15 years old, and for about 2 years I have had joint pain, it constantly gets worse. My joints become swollen, red, tender, and stiff. I wake up every morning and can't move for about an hour. Whatever it is affects the fingers,wrist,elbows, shoulders, hips,knees,ankles,toes, sternum, jaw, and neck. The pain is the same on both sides. I have seen several doctors and all of them think I have RA or lupus. Then they test me for it, and it shows nothing. My sed rate is elevated but not high enough to be a concern, my rheumatoid factor is 20, I've had a positive ANA test once,but the second one came back negative. My x rays show no damage except I have under developed carpals, I had a dexa scan, and that came back normal. Pretty much, I just want to know if anyone has had the same problem.

[carolanivey]

Hi there,

It's not at ALL abnormal for blood tests for autoimmune diseases like RA and lupus to be inconclusive, negative, or even positive one time and negative the next. It's called being "sero-negative". A good rheumatologist will treat you based on a wide range of evidence, not just blood test results. He or she will take into account your symptoms, x-rays, MRI, and most important, laying hands and eyes on your sore joints. He will also listen closely to you and ask you to rate how much pain you're in, and how well you're tolerating it - or not.

It's very important to get on top of this as soon as you can, before permanent damage is done to your joints. There are a wide range of medications out there now to help you. Find a rheumie who will be aggressive and not adopt a "wait and see" approach.

Hang in there!