Do I definatly have RA?

[flmagi]

My doctor ran a RA blood test and called me last night saying my RA results were at least double what normal is, but my sedimentation rate was normal. So he is referring me to another doctor. I didn't ask for the actual figures since I'm not at all familiar with this stuff. It would explain a lot of the problems I've been having. My question is .... Does this RA result mean I definatly have Rheumatoid Arthritis?

[acesew]

I am 24.  For about 7 or 8 years, I have suffered from many symptoms.  Some of them are fainting, all over body pain, swelling of hands, feet, knees, and face.  Most days it is very hard for me to move at all.  Other days I can move okay, but still not real well.  I am constantly fatigued and can't sleep at night because I am hurting so bad.  I am also having stomach problems.  I vomit after most every meal and do not have regular BM.  I am also having trouble with repeative UTIs.  I at first started going to a cardiologist (they thought the fainting was heart related).  That has all checked out okay.  I have been to several neurologists but all tests there have been normal.  Some of the doctors I went to thought I had dysautonomia, but the test were negative for that.  I was diagnosed by one rheumatologist with fibromyalgia, (but wasn't getting any help with her, so I switched).  This new rheumatologist said I don't have fibro, but Inflammatory Polyarthritis.  I have been researching this and besides Lupus (which my mother has), the next likely one is RA.  I am so bad now that I have only been able to work about 12 hours a week at my job.  Just these 12 hours make me so wore out and the pain worse.  
I was very active up until about 8-10 months ago.  Now I just take each day as it comes and try not to overdo things.  Is it possible for me to be able to work full time again or am I going to end up not working outside of my home?  I have passed out at work, driving, out eating, etc.  I am just worried I am going to be "home bound" in a since that I won't be able to work an outside job.
Thanks for your input
Stephanie

[carolanivey]

Hi flmagi,

I've had RA since age 5 and I can tell you that I've been in a full flare many times and my sed rate shows normal. Sometimes it doesn't rise until after the flare is over! Blood work doesn't always tell the whole story, it's just one of many tools.

Some people have a negative RF (rheumatoid factor) but have all the symptoms; others have a positive RF but have few symptoms. It's different for everyone.

[flmagi]

Thank you so much for answering.

[TrudieC]

There are a few auto-immune diseases that use some of the same blood tests.  It's the combination of those tests and your physical exam that will help a rheumatologist to determine what you indeed have.  I think you have a bit more waiting to do.