RH Factor

Hello, I have used this site for other situations, but this time, I have been recently diagnosed with Rheumetoid Arthritis.  My RH levels were at 127, and my doctor said that is pretty severer..  My ANA test came  back positive as well, adn I have been experienceing night sweats, major fatigue, alot of joint pain, not feeling to well, and major nausea.   I alos have all over my body these lilttle red dots, that I have had for a couple of years, but have gottien worse, and there are more and more.. .
I am due to see and Rheumetologist next week, and am worried.  I have a soft lump for the past few years, that has been followed by a general surgeon, but my doctor says that he is very concerned about the petechaie on my body.  Do I have a reason to be concerened? My family history does have cancer in it, and my mother had utarine cancer and her uteris was taken out.  Can someone please give some advise?  Or atleast what I am looking forward to?

[ddesaut2]

I am a female, 32 years old.  ...if that helps

[txsilver]

I am sorry you are dealing with all of this at once.  I can answer questions you may have about RA, but I am not sure I can help with the cancer questions as I do not have as much experience in that area.  
What I can tell you is that, for RA, getting the diagnosis is a big part of the battle.  Now they have to find the right meds to treat you.  Because it seems most of them have to be taken for 3 months before their effectiveness can be evaluated, it can take a long time to get the meds and dosages correct.  If you may have another condition like cancer, it will be very important to make sure the docs work together on your treatment for both conditions.  
If you have not already done so, please read the post at the top of the forum regarding rheumy appts.  I cannot recommend to you enough maintaining your own notes and records.

[ddesaut2]

Thank you so very much for your post, I do appreciate it, from your stand point though, the symtoms (symptoms) I have described to you, do you think they all coincide with the Arthritis factor?  Is it normal to have such high levels as 127?  Again, I thank you very much.....!

[txsilver]

Your symptoms are consistent with RA.  Levels of RA factor vary widely.  I have talked to many people in this forum with levels as high and higher than yours so I would say that, among people with RA, your level is higher end, but not the highest I have heard of.  Please keep me posted on how you are doing, the treatment they settle on for you and anything else you want to talk about.

[ddesaut2]

Thank you very much, I go to see the Rheumotologist tom, 6/9... I do appreciate all your assitance with this.  The pain, especially right know in my lower back, hips, legs and ankles are alittle unbarrible.  I am sure things will work out.. Optimism is the best way to go..

[txsilver]

I know how miserable I was with pain in my back, hips and knees when this all started.  By the time I got diagnosed, I was circling the entirity of both pictures where they want you to indicate where you expereince pain.  I hope you start on a treatment soon and that relief quickly follows!  Please let us know how your appt goes and what you find out.  

[ddesaut2]

Ok so, I went the appt., they are doing a slew of blood work as well as urine sample.  The one thing that boggled him was that my joints do not swell.  They never did, but I have alot of symptoms that show the rheumotoid arthritis.. but, he still is not very sure.  Is a great doctor though.  I am glad he is thorough.  I will continue to keep everyone posted... I thank you all for your comforting words..

[txsilver]

Glad you have his interest!  that is a good thing.  We don't all experience every symptom.  If my joints swell, it is not by much though I do get minor swelling in my whole hand (both of them) so maybe they swell more than I think?  My joints don't always turn red, either.  Often when I am in flare they are white and hot and the rest of my hands turn a little red.  Probably part of what took me so long to get diagnosed is that I do not present in the classic way and have more than 3 things going on at once.  Really, the more I learn about arthritis and autoimmune conditions, the more I am amazed I ever got a diagnosis!  This is why I think rheumys are so smart.  Certainly some are better than others, but when your specialty is soooo vast, it makes sense that sometimes you have to go to several before you get to one who has an aha moment.

[ddesaut2]

Ok, so with this, I had my blood work done, many, many times over.  I have had Sjogrens show up in my blood work, and Dryness of the eyes, Vagina(not that was needed to be heard), mouth, and skin.  My skin is very very sensative to the sun, I break out in what looks to be a sun rash.  My hips have been hurting and my joints hurt.  
My rheumitologist says that although I have some signs of Sjogrens, that does not mean I have it.  Does any know this to be true?  I am not sure what the levels were, but it did in fact show up in my blood work.  Also, I am very tired still, trouble swolling unless I drink something and hav ehad a slew of headaches, dizzispells and yatatyatyatya...
Please does this mean I hav Sjogrens?  I need answers, and does not seem I am getting them...

[TrudieC]

Has he started you on any meds?  So many of these auto-immune syndromes have similar symptoms (my doctor is trying to determine if I have RA or Lupus or both since they are so similar and I don't have joint swelling either but do have the sun sensitivity and rashes).  Sjogrens can come along for the ride with many other diseases too.  I have the dryness issues too but am not coming up positive for Sjogrens.  I was started on Plaquenil and ibuprofen 4.5 months ago and am seeing some improvement.  What are his next steps?

[ddesaut2]

He started me with Mobic.. well, the genaric brand.  It helps alittle with the ankles and my wrists, but does not help other pains.  I am looking into getting a different doctor.  This one does not really explain things clearly and although he is thorough, he is not that nice..