Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) - Introduce yourself and meet others

Why do we think sero negative RA differs from sero positive in a meaningful way?

I’m new to this world, and finding it quite difficult to understand-I was surprised to learn gout is arthritis after watching Apple+’s series Franklin:). Everything’s arthritis! I tried to research the worlds of positive and negative, but I didn’t gain an answer of my question: “So what?” Maybe someone qualified can enlighten us. It seems it might govern a different diagnosis/treatment regimen between the two? Are + and - tested differently, then treated differently? Who knows?

Tina, been living comfortably with RA since 2013 (on sulfasalazine) but this year it's gotten way worse. Looking for tips/products that work.

I tried methotrexate but the side effects of headache and diarrhea. I also tried suldasalazate but the has only worked for 4 months. Sulfasalazine gas worked up until this year. I am in need of a new drug and tips etc.

Has anyone had luck with non-prescrption ideas, ointments,.medical Marijuana etc. Nothing I have tried worked as far as a topical.

Greetings, my name is Deborah. I live in Lincoln Nebraska .
Primary Sjogren's is my diagnosis, but The lab work for both Ari and Lupus both come back borderline. My mom, my aunt, my brother and my sister all had RA and my sister also had lupus. They are all since deceased.

I hope I am able to be in this forum because it may very well be that I have RA undiagnosed already given my family history. Since the diseases are so similar in treatment, my rheumatologist is content to stick with my primary Sjogrens which is systemic Sjogrens, not just the sicca symptoms. It manifests actually very much like RA.
My rheumatologist has me on hydroxychloroquine 400 mg daily. My pain doctor has me on 4.5 mg of LDN daily. Over the counter I use about one Aleve a day for my joint and tendon pain and I take 25 -50 mg of CBD daily. I also use legal THC in micro dose amounts (2-4 mg). I I also micro dose nicotine (not tobacco but pure nicotine) and amanita muscaria mushrooms. Both legal by the way! The who says that nicotine is not addictive until you get to 5 or more milligrams a day. I am microdosing one and a half to 3 mg 6 days a week with a skip day every week and I take a skip week every month so I don't get addicted. So far, with the nicotine. I have no problem on my off days and weeks.

My son was diagnosed with RA when he was 17 years old. Currently, he has been prescribed
Rituxan infusions gives his C-Reactive is 1500. He is 52 years old and has poly-articular RA,
which means it is in every joint. I am concerned about the side effects of Rituxan.
He will begin the first 8 hour infusion @ Mayo in Rochester followed by another 2 week later,
and thereafter, every 6 months. Please share your experience with this biologic regarding
any side effects.
Thank you and stay well,
Debbie

@debbiee. First off, Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I’m glad you found this site before your son has his infusion. I’ve had rituxan infusions 3 times for a different autoimmune disorder and I’ve no side effects. I’ve always felt so much better after my infusions!
Unfortunately all drugs have side effects, but every person reacts differently. Most don’t have any reactions at all. Tell your son to ask the doctor if there is something like Tylenol that might make him more comfortable with the infusions.
What mostly concerns you about the side effects of rituxan?

Best to your Son's treatments. I have received Rituxan via Mayo every 4 mos for past 9 yrs (RA/Sjogrens/lupus/MS) with good results. Prescribed Tylenol & benadryl prior each infusion. Usually tired, funky few days after, then get a second wind a week or so later. Can always tell when getting near to next treatment as my RA pain level is extreme, so I know it's around the corner! Took about a month for me initial results

I have been diagnosed with RA. Please send me the daily emails.
John Keelan