Grrr! @saw2019 What a coincidence! I just typed a long message and my network crashed.
I saw a new rheumatologist yesterday and am doing the same. Blood tests are inconclusive, but history and symptoms say inflammatory arthritis (there are over 100 kinds). We are doing a prednisone trial to show that I respond; this will prove there is an inflammatoryprocess at work. In 5 weeks we will figure out a treatment plan, whether or not additional bloodwork "proves" RA. He said about 20% of people are sero-negative, but symptom positive.
I look forward to hearing how you progress. I'll share my details after my next visit at the end of July.
PS I have had osteoarthritis for over 40 year that has resulted in numerous surgeries and a lot of therapy, as well as fibromyalgia for 35 years, managed recently by a pain management program, and signs of RA for 20 years - repeatedly dismissed because I am sero-negative - it doesn't show on blood tests.