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Rheumatoid arthritis questions
Autoimmune Diseases | Last Active: May 21, 2020 | Replies (16)Comment receiving replies
Hello @ellenh -- Welcome to Connect. Thank you for sharing your post. It is a good thing to ask questions and learn all you can about your health condition. I don't have RA but do have polymyalgia rheumatica that is currently in remission. I found a website that may give you some additional information about the Anti-CCP Test (Anti-Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide):
-- https://www.rheumatoidarthritis.org/ra/diagnosis/anti-ccp/
There is a link on the site that has home remedies that may provide some relief:
-- https://www.rheumatoidarthritis.org/home-remedies/
@ellenh did the doctor identify any other conditions along with the anti CCP test that indicates RA? According to the anti CCP test description it is used in conjunction with several other criteria to make a diagnosis of RA. I would ask them what else makes them think RA.
John
Replies to "Hello @ellenh -- Welcome to Connect. Thank you for sharing your post. It is a good..."
Why does sulfasalazine have to be taken AFTER a meal?Why not DURING a meal like all of my other RA medications?
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Thank you for the links, John. Yes, my doctor tested me for other autoimmune diseases, primarily DRVVT, anticardiolipin antibodies, antiphospholipid panel II, and beta-2 glycoprotein IgG and IgM. My x-rays are negative. My ANA was very high which initiated the investigation. From what I understand, a high positive anti CCP test almost always indicates RA. My concern, of course, is taking a medication that can cause more negative effects than the disease is doing currently. I literally feel great, energy level is excellent, no aches and pains out of the ordinary (I'm going to be 65 next month). So I just want to be sure that taking a DMARD is a good idea when I have no symptoms of RA nor have I ever other than hand stiffness. I live in Kansas City but I'm a teleworker at Mayo. Just want to make sure I'm doing the right thing before I start another med that could potentially make me feel far worse.