Guest guest Posted October 4, 2005 Report Share Posted October 4, 2005 Thanks, a, I printed this one up for my doctor because he said he didn't believe in seronegative RA. He said the labs WERE the diagnosis and if they're negative, then it's something else. Does " seronegative " refer rheumatoid factor only? Are there other labs that are absolutely always positive if you have RA? Once my " eosinophil " count was high, but other than that everything has been normal. The rheumatologist says that proves it's fibromyalgia (and I do have unexplained severe vaginal pain), but I don't have tender points (the pain occurs at the traditional tender point site, but they aren't tender to touch, although prolonged pressure sets them off) The rheum. admitted that he thinks most (49 out of 50) cases of fibromyalgia are really mental illnesses or attempts to get drugs. My neurologist believes fibromyalgia is a real disease, but she said the extreme stiffness I get after being still is classic RA and that the fact that I responded to prednisone proves it even further. I get numbness in my limbs too, but all of my doctors just look at me weird and pretend I didn't say that. My joints don't swell but they get hot. Sorry, I know you're not a doctor, but where do you turn when doctors contradict each other? laura a <a54@...> wrote:This is an interesting poll on seronegative or seropositive RA. More seronegative patients have been diagnosed with RA than seropositive. http://arthritis.about.com/od/rasymptoms/l/blrheumfactor.htm a Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 4, 2005 Report Share Posted October 4, 2005 Thanks, a, I printed this one up for my doctor because he said he didn't believe in seronegative RA. He said the labs WERE the diagnosis and if they're negative, then it's something else. Does " seronegative " refer rheumatoid factor only? Are there other labs that are absolutely always positive if you have RA? Once my " eosinophil " count was high, but other than that everything has been normal. The rheumatologist says that proves it's fibromyalgia (and I do have unexplained severe vaginal pain), but I don't have tender points (the pain occurs at the traditional tender point site, but they aren't tender to touch, although prolonged pressure sets them off) The rheum. admitted that he thinks most (49 out of 50) cases of fibromyalgia are really mental illnesses or attempts to get drugs. My neurologist believes fibromyalgia is a real disease, but she said the extreme stiffness I get after being still is classic RA and that the fact that I responded to prednisone proves it even further. I get numbness in my limbs too, but all of my doctors just look at me weird and pretend I didn't say that. My joints don't swell but they get hot. Sorry, I know you're not a doctor, but where do you turn when doctors contradict each other? laura a <a54@...> wrote:This is an interesting poll on seronegative or seropositive RA. More seronegative patients have been diagnosed with RA than seropositive. http://arthritis.about.com/od/rasymptoms/l/blrheumfactor.htm a Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 4, 2005 Report Share Posted October 4, 2005 Unfortunately there is no one specific test to diagnose RA. Your doctor doesn't sound like he's very knowledgeable on diagnosing RA. Is he a rheumatologist? Here is what the Arthritis Foundation says about diagnosing RA: http://arthritis.org/conditions/diseasecenter/ra/ra_diagnosis1.asp You can see the first sentence says there is NO one test so your doctor cannot diagnose you by blood tests alone. Yes seronegative refers to RF only. Not everyone with RA has RF in their blood, and having a positive RF doesn't mean you have RA. You are really different because your joints get hot but have no swelling and your labs are normal. Hot joints usually indicate inflammation, but your tests for inflammation are negative. Have you been tested for HLA-B27? The vaginal pain makes me think of Reiter's syndrome, in which there is inflammation of the urethra, eyes and joints. Here is another article you can print for your rheumatologist that thinks 49 of 50 cases are mental illness. He really needs to keep up on research. Fibromyalgia pain isn't all in patients' heads, new brain study finds http://www.med.umich.edu/opm/newspage/2002/fibromyalgia.htm If I were you I'd head for the MAYO Clinic or Hopkins. Collect all of your tests and see what they say. a On Oct 4, 2005, at 5:18 PM, Bauman wrote: > Thanks, a, I printed this one up for my doctor because he said > he didn't believe in seronegative RA. He said the labs WERE the > diagnosis and if they're negative, then it's something else. Does > " seronegative " refer rheumatoid factor only? Are there other labs > that are absolutely always positive if you have RA? Once my > " eosinophil " count was high, but other than that everything has > been normal. The rheumatologist says that proves it's fibromyalgia > (and I do have unexplained severe vaginal pain), but I don't have > tender points (the pain occurs at the traditional tender point > site, but they aren't tender to touch, although prolonged pressure > sets them off) The rheum. admitted that he thinks most (49 out of > 50) cases of fibromyalgia are really mental illnesses or attempts > to get drugs. My neurologist believes fibromyalgia is a real > disease, but she said the extreme stiffness I get after being still > is classic RA and that th further. I get numbness in my limbs too, > but all of my doctors just look at me weird and pretend I didn't > say that. My joints don't swell but they get hot. Sorry, I know > you're not a doctor, but where do you turn when doctors contradict > each other? laura > > a <a54@...> wrote:This is an interesting poll on > seronegative or seropositive RA. More > seronegative patients have been diagnosed with > RA than seropositive. > > http://arthritis.about.com/od/rasymptoms/l/blrheumfactor.htm > > > > a > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 4, 2005 Report Share Posted October 4, 2005 Unfortunately there is no one specific test to diagnose RA. Your doctor doesn't sound like he's very knowledgeable on diagnosing RA. Is he a rheumatologist? Here is what the Arthritis Foundation says about diagnosing RA: http://arthritis.org/conditions/diseasecenter/ra/ra_diagnosis1.asp You can see the first sentence says there is NO one test so your doctor cannot diagnose you by blood tests alone. Yes seronegative refers to RF only. Not everyone with RA has RF in their blood, and having a positive RF doesn't mean you have RA. You are really different because your joints get hot but have no swelling and your labs are normal. Hot joints usually indicate inflammation, but your tests for inflammation are negative. Have you been tested for HLA-B27? The vaginal pain makes me think of Reiter's syndrome, in which there is inflammation of the urethra, eyes and joints. Here is another article you can print for your rheumatologist that thinks 49 of 50 cases are mental illness. He really needs to keep up on research. Fibromyalgia pain isn't all in patients' heads, new brain study finds http://www.med.umich.edu/opm/newspage/2002/fibromyalgia.htm If I were you I'd head for the MAYO Clinic or Hopkins. Collect all of your tests and see what they say. a On Oct 4, 2005, at 5:18 PM, Bauman wrote: > Thanks, a, I printed this one up for my doctor because he said > he didn't believe in seronegative RA. He said the labs WERE the > diagnosis and if they're negative, then it's something else. Does > " seronegative " refer rheumatoid factor only? Are there other labs > that are absolutely always positive if you have RA? Once my > " eosinophil " count was high, but other than that everything has > been normal. The rheumatologist says that proves it's fibromyalgia > (and I do have unexplained severe vaginal pain), but I don't have > tender points (the pain occurs at the traditional tender point > site, but they aren't tender to touch, although prolonged pressure > sets them off) The rheum. admitted that he thinks most (49 out of > 50) cases of fibromyalgia are really mental illnesses or attempts > to get drugs. My neurologist believes fibromyalgia is a real > disease, but she said the extreme stiffness I get after being still > is classic RA and that th further. I get numbness in my limbs too, > but all of my doctors just look at me weird and pretend I didn't > say that. My joints don't swell but they get hot. Sorry, I know > you're not a doctor, but where do you turn when doctors contradict > each other? laura > > a <a54@...> wrote:This is an interesting poll on > seronegative or seropositive RA. More > seronegative patients have been diagnosed with > RA than seropositive. > > http://arthritis.about.com/od/rasymptoms/l/blrheumfactor.htm > > > > a > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 4, 2005 Report Share Posted October 4, 2005 Anti-cyclic Citrullinated Peptide (anti-CCP)is another lab value that may be helpful. This is an interesting poll on seronegative or seropositive RA. More > seronegative patients have been diagnosed with > RA than seropositive. > > http://arthritis.about.com/od/rasymptoms/l/blrheumfactor.htm > > > > a > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 4, 2005 Report Share Posted October 4, 2005 Anti-cyclic Citrullinated Peptide (anti-CCP)is another lab value that may be helpful. This is an interesting poll on seronegative or seropositive RA. More > seronegative patients have been diagnosed with > RA than seropositive. > > http://arthritis.about.com/od/rasymptoms/l/blrheumfactor.htm > > > > a > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 5, 2005 Report Share Posted October 5, 2005 a--Thank you!! Thank you!! I did print up that article about fibromyalgia and I am going to give it to the rheumatologist. Sometimes I suspect he tells me stuff like that because he drew the conclusion early on that I, personally, was mentally ill (since my symptoms are so whacked) and he doesn't want me to think there's any chance I have a real organic illness. Surely he knows better if the information is this available. Fortunately, I have a neurologist (a woman) who takes me seriously. The ironic thing is that before I was hit with this a year and one-half ago, I was the one that everyone came to for advice and help because I am a naturally joyful person. I feel like getting my friends to write him letters saying, " This woman is stable and sensible. " Thank you so much for your help. I hope I replied to this right. I highlighted the one small part of your e-mail and then hit reply. When I send an e-mail straight to it doesn't fly, so I keep replying to e-mails already sent, but it's probably a pain to you guys. Sorry I'm so e-mail illiterate. I literally got my first e-mail address specifically to join this group. laura a <a54@...> wrote: Unfortunately there is no one specific test to diagnose RA. Your doctor doesn't sound like he's very knowledgeable on diagnosing RA. Is he a rheumatologist? Here is what the Arthritis Foundation says about diagnosing RA: http://arthritis.org/conditions/diseasecenter/ra/ra_diagnosis1.asp You can see the first sentence says there is NO one test so your doctor cannot diagnose you by blood tests alone. Yes seronegative refers to RF only. Not everyone with RA has RF in their blood, and having a positive RF doesn't mean you have RA. You are really different because your joints get hot but have no swelling and your labs are normal. Hot joints usually indicate inflammation, but your tests for inflammation are negative. Have you been tested for HLA-B27? The vaginal pain makes me think of Reiter's syndrome, in which there is inflammation of the urethra, eyes and joints. Here is another article you can print for your rheumatologist that thinks 49 of 50 cases are mental illness. He really needs to keep up on research. Fibromyalgia pain isn't all in patients' heads, new brain study finds http://www.med.umich.edu/opm/newspage/2002/fibromyalgia.htm If I were you I'd head for the MAYO Clinic or Hopkins. Collect all of your tests and see what they say. a On Oct 4, 2005, at 5:18 PM, Bauman wrote: > Thanks, a, I printed this one up for my doctor because he said > he didn't believe in seronegative RA. He said the labs WERE the > diagnosis and if they're negative, then it's something else. Does > " seronegative " refer rheumatoid factor only? Are there other labs > that are absolutely always positive if you have RA? Once my > " eosinophil " count was high, but other than that everything has > been normal. The rheumatologist says that proves it's fibromyalgia > (and I do have unexplained severe vaginal pain), but I don't have > tender points (the pain occurs at the traditional tender point > site, but they aren't tender to touch, although prolonged pressure > sets them off) The rheum. admitted that he thinks most (49 out of > 50) cases of fibromyalgia are really mental illnesses or attempts > to get drugs. My neurologist believes fibromyalgia is a real > disease, but she said the extreme stiffness I get after being still > is classic RA and that th further. I get numbness in my limbs too, > but all of my doctors just look at me weird and pretend I didn't > say that. My joints don't swell but they get hot. Sorry, I know > you're not a doctor, but where do you turn when doctors contradict > each other? laura > > a <a54@...> wrote:This is an interesting poll on > seronegative or seropositive RA. More > seronegative patients have been diagnosed with > RA than seropositive. > > http://arthritis.about.com/od/rasymptoms/l/blrheumfactor.htm > > > > a > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 5, 2005 Report Share Posted October 5, 2005 a--Thank you!! Thank you!! I did print up that article about fibromyalgia and I am going to give it to the rheumatologist. Sometimes I suspect he tells me stuff like that because he drew the conclusion early on that I, personally, was mentally ill (since my symptoms are so whacked) and he doesn't want me to think there's any chance I have a real organic illness. Surely he knows better if the information is this available. Fortunately, I have a neurologist (a woman) who takes me seriously. The ironic thing is that before I was hit with this a year and one-half ago, I was the one that everyone came to for advice and help because I am a naturally joyful person. I feel like getting my friends to write him letters saying, " This woman is stable and sensible. " Thank you so much for your help. I hope I replied to this right. I highlighted the one small part of your e-mail and then hit reply. When I send an e-mail straight to it doesn't fly, so I keep replying to e-mails already sent, but it's probably a pain to you guys. Sorry I'm so e-mail illiterate. I literally got my first e-mail address specifically to join this group. laura a <a54@...> wrote: Unfortunately there is no one specific test to diagnose RA. Your doctor doesn't sound like he's very knowledgeable on diagnosing RA. Is he a rheumatologist? Here is what the Arthritis Foundation says about diagnosing RA: http://arthritis.org/conditions/diseasecenter/ra/ra_diagnosis1.asp You can see the first sentence says there is NO one test so your doctor cannot diagnose you by blood tests alone. Yes seronegative refers to RF only. Not everyone with RA has RF in their blood, and having a positive RF doesn't mean you have RA. You are really different because your joints get hot but have no swelling and your labs are normal. Hot joints usually indicate inflammation, but your tests for inflammation are negative. Have you been tested for HLA-B27? The vaginal pain makes me think of Reiter's syndrome, in which there is inflammation of the urethra, eyes and joints. Here is another article you can print for your rheumatologist that thinks 49 of 50 cases are mental illness. He really needs to keep up on research. Fibromyalgia pain isn't all in patients' heads, new brain study finds http://www.med.umich.edu/opm/newspage/2002/fibromyalgia.htm If I were you I'd head for the MAYO Clinic or Hopkins. Collect all of your tests and see what they say. a On Oct 4, 2005, at 5:18 PM, Bauman wrote: > Thanks, a, I printed this one up for my doctor because he said > he didn't believe in seronegative RA. He said the labs WERE the > diagnosis and if they're negative, then it's something else. Does > " seronegative " refer rheumatoid factor only? Are there other labs > that are absolutely always positive if you have RA? Once my > " eosinophil " count was high, but other than that everything has > been normal. The rheumatologist says that proves it's fibromyalgia > (and I do have unexplained severe vaginal pain), but I don't have > tender points (the pain occurs at the traditional tender point > site, but they aren't tender to touch, although prolonged pressure > sets them off) The rheum. admitted that he thinks most (49 out of > 50) cases of fibromyalgia are really mental illnesses or attempts > to get drugs. My neurologist believes fibromyalgia is a real > disease, but she said the extreme stiffness I get after being still > is classic RA and that th further. I get numbness in my limbs too, > but all of my doctors just look at me weird and pretend I didn't > say that. My joints don't swell but they get hot. Sorry, I know > you're not a doctor, but where do you turn when doctors contradict > each other? laura > > a <a54@...> wrote:This is an interesting poll on > seronegative or seropositive RA. More > seronegative patients have been diagnosed with > RA than seropositive. > > http://arthritis.about.com/od/rasymptoms/l/blrheumfactor.htm > > > > a > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 10, 2005 Report Share Posted October 10, 2005 , You are very welcome. I don't know what to think about these doctors that think woman are mental cases when they have illness that they can't diagnose. I guess it's easier to blame the patient than to fell inadequate as a doctor that can't diagnose the problem. You are not alone with doctors that say it's all in our heads. Have you had your thyroid tested? You email is just fine. Welcome to the world of email. I'm not sure why you can't just start a new email and address it with RA- SUPPORT and have it come to the group. The way you are doing it is fine, but you should also just be able to address an email and send it. Don't feel bad about being new at it. We were all new at one time. a On Oct 5, 2005, at 8:50 AM, Bauman wrote: > a--Thank you!! Thank you!! I did print up that article about > fibromyalgia and I am going to give it to the rheumatologist. > Sometimes I suspect he tells me stuff like that because he drew the > conclusion early on that I, personally, was mentally ill (since my > symptoms are so whacked) and he doesn't want me to think there's > any chance I have a real organic illness. Surely he knows better > if the information is this available. Fortunately, I have a > neurologist (a woman) who takes me seriously. The ironic thing is > that before I was hit with this a year and one-half ago, I was the > one that everyone came to for advice and help because I am a > naturally joyful person. I feel like getting my friends to write > him letters saying, " This woman is stable and sensible. " Thank you > so much for your help. > > I hope I replied to this right. I highlighted the one small part > of your e-mail and then hit reply. When I send an e-mail straight > to it doesn't fly, so I keep replying to > e-mails already sent, but it's probably a pain to you guys. Sorry > I'm so e-mail illiterate. I literally got my first e-mail address > specifically to join this group. > > laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 10, 2005 Report Share Posted October 10, 2005 , You are very welcome. I don't know what to think about these doctors that think woman are mental cases when they have illness that they can't diagnose. I guess it's easier to blame the patient than to fell inadequate as a doctor that can't diagnose the problem. You are not alone with doctors that say it's all in our heads. Have you had your thyroid tested? You email is just fine. Welcome to the world of email. I'm not sure why you can't just start a new email and address it with RA- SUPPORT and have it come to the group. The way you are doing it is fine, but you should also just be able to address an email and send it. Don't feel bad about being new at it. We were all new at one time. a On Oct 5, 2005, at 8:50 AM, Bauman wrote: > a--Thank you!! Thank you!! I did print up that article about > fibromyalgia and I am going to give it to the rheumatologist. > Sometimes I suspect he tells me stuff like that because he drew the > conclusion early on that I, personally, was mentally ill (since my > symptoms are so whacked) and he doesn't want me to think there's > any chance I have a real organic illness. Surely he knows better > if the information is this available. Fortunately, I have a > neurologist (a woman) who takes me seriously. The ironic thing is > that before I was hit with this a year and one-half ago, I was the > one that everyone came to for advice and help because I am a > naturally joyful person. I feel like getting my friends to write > him letters saying, " This woman is stable and sensible. " Thank you > so much for your help. > > I hope I replied to this right. I highlighted the one small part > of your e-mail and then hit reply. When I send an e-mail straight > to it doesn't fly, so I keep replying to > e-mails already sent, but it's probably a pain to you guys. Sorry > I'm so e-mail illiterate. I literally got my first e-mail address > specifically to join this group. > > laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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