RA

[Brandy4]

At 23 years of age I was diagnose with RA and have been treated for it since then, I am now 50 and have had blood tests every month because of the treatment plan.  I then moved out of state and am told I dont have it!  Move back to the original state I came from and they do another panel and another blood panel they say I have itl.  I move to another state and they say I dont.  This goes on for back and forth for  2 other states!    I swell in my arms, hands and legs, my back is killing me all the time.  I swell so bad in my arms and legs that the capularies in my hand have busted and in my legs I have large spider veins.  I cannot handle the pain anymore, my bones in my fingers are turning sideways.........what is it I have?  Rhuematoid Arthirtis doctors cant seem to agree on it!  I cant stand this pain  anymore.  Is there another test they can do?

[sandee1818]

Hi ,
I am sorry it has taken so long to get back to you. I have been so busy.
I just wanted to let you know I am doing some research for you and I will get back to you very soon:)
We are really glad to have you here!

[sandee1818]

Diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can be straightforward when the disease presents itself in its classic form with deformed joints and rheumatoid nodules. When RA is in its very early stages, however, recognizing it can be tricky because other diseases can sometimes mimic the symptoms. Diagnosing RA is based on medical history and a physical exam. A series of blood tests are also used to confirm the clinical diagnosis and now a new test is gaining ground, which, combined with the others, boosts the accuracy even further.

The test, called anti-CCP (anti cyclic citrullinated peptide), measures antibodies present in about 60-70 percent of people with RA. Studies show that the test is a valuable diagnostic tool, especially when used early on and in combination with other blood tests.

The anti-CCP test is especially beneficial when combined with the current most popular blood test for RA, the test for rheumatoid factor, which measures another antibody. Traditionally whenever RA is suspected, a rheumatoid factor test is performed. However about 20 percent of people with RA test negative for the rheumatoid factor antibodies and if they aren't tested further, they could remain undiagnosed for months. Performing a follow-up anti-CCP test can help the doctor make a diagnosis early in the disease -- a positive test result would strengthen the clinical impression that the patient has RA. Rheumatoid factor antibodies are strong indicators of RA, but they aren't exclusive and exist in individuals with other autoimmune and infectious diseases or even in healthy people. CCP antibodies, on the other hand, are exclusive for RA, which is another reason for combining the two tests.
CCP antibodies are also increasingly recognized as predictors of the disease's severity and progression. "It's really a very important test because studies have shown that it gives information on the likely course of arthritis," says Dr. Nisha Manek, a rheumatologist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. "It gives you predictive value of those who will have X-ray progression, X-ray damage and specifically erosion [when inflammation has damaged the bone]." Manek says using the anti-CCP test has been a standard practice in the clinic for the past two years, especially for people with negative results from the rheumatoid factor test.

[Tuckamore]

Sandee give some great advice. If you have has RA since the age of 23 there should be other indications besides the blood tests. There should be some changes in your joints that can be easily seen on X-Ray as well as with the naked eye. RA is usually a deforming disease where non RA (like osteoarthritis) is not generally deforming. And you describe the "turning",of your fingers, which is a primary sign of RA. Both HURT and the treatments are similar. The tests Sandee talks about are universal and recognized from state to state, what is different is the physicians opinion. Possible you may flare and than have a form of remission but I would think this would not significantly change your blood results. In the state that they say you do not have RA, what are they telling you what they believe you have? I would ask if it is important, as far as treatment to determine the form or type of inflamation that has caused you so much pain. I wish I had better answers for you. Be assertive and demand answers. Obtain records form the state that has DX you with RA and take them to the physicians that claim you do not have RA. Best of luck. I know pain and I am sorry for you. Take Care, Tuck