Does anyone have sero negative rheumatoid arthritis?

I have sero negative RA but everything was negative rheumatoid factor, ccp, ana. As well as my ESR and CRP were negative. Curious…if your CCP is positive how is that sero negative?

I am sero negative

@rutgersmom123 May I ask if you have seronegative rheumatoid arthritis? Are you seeing a rheumatologist for treatment?
Sometimes it takes a few tries to find a doc who accepts that about 20% of RA is sero-negative and treats it. I have had symptoms for about 20 years and self-managed until 2025, but finally my body would no longer tolerate NSAID's. My pulmonologist, of all people, sent me to a wonderful rheumatologist, and we are still working on getting the beast under control.

I was diagnosed with PMR 2.5 years ago. Rheumatologist started me on Prednisone. I tapered down to 0 in 14 months and my hands swelled up and hurt so bad I couldn't make a fist. My grip strength was down to 15 pounds. Blood test were all normal. Rheumatologist said I was having a relapse and put me back on Prednisone. Grip strength up to 60 lbs. Tapered down to zero and hands reacted the same way. Doc said she thinks I have sero negative rheumatoid arthritis and put me on Methotrexate and Naproxen. After six weeks hands still swollen, but a little less pain. I also developed a rash on my wrist. Have had skin problems approx 10 years ago and not much since. Not doc is testing for psoriatiac arthritis and added hydroxychloroquine. I'm a 62 year old female retired police officer.

@bswpb I think because ANA is negative. Not really sure, good question.

@sueinmn Yes I have been going to a rheumatologist for20 years. It has been a journey through several diagnoses . Have been on methotrexate and Remicade infusions. My bloodwork still shows inflammation but my pain level is good.
I also have dermatomyositis, and psoriasis.

@chpfireball Perhaps you need to go on a biologic as well as methotrexate. BTW, it was discovered when I was taking methotrexate pills that it was not absorbing properly into my bloodstream. I was changed to injections and it works much better. Good luck!

@rutgersmom123 ANA is really just a screening test and not a great one at that. It screens for lupus, RA, scleroderma, Sjogrens. The results are very subjective since a person looks at a specimen on a slide through a microscope. Two people looking at the same slide might and often do come up with different answers. CCP is a more specific test and is indicative of RA but even that has its issues and so there are other tests and the patient’s symptoms to consider as well.
My ANA was negative but I had antibodies for two other conditions that were strongly positive. A few months later…after treatment, the antibodies were negative and my ANA was very weakly positive! It’s complicated!

It is complicated.

Yes I have sero negative RA. My Ana was positive. RA factor negative. Started on methotrexate and then added Enbrel. Blood work was ok. Still have stiffness and pain. Nowhere near what it was. Swelling sometimes. Diagnosed 2017. The only thing that helped swelling is the Enbrel shots. Had to have prednisone sometimes. I have a wonderful Rhuematologist. So thankful for him.