RA or something else??

Posted by mimi1204 @mimi1204, 3 days ago

Hi, my rheumatologist diagnosed me with PMR over a year ago and now has switched that diagnosis to RA. I was on prednisone for over a year for the PMR, which was a very low dose of only 2 mg and completely took the pain away. Then the pain started to creep up after a year and so did my inflammation numbers so my rheumatologist then did further bloodwork and my anti-CCP came back very low positive, which is why I was then diagnosed with RA. He switched my medication and took me off prednisone and put me on hydroxychloroquine. I actually have minimal pain and I never really had much pain except in the very beginning, and it was quite minimal, but once I started the meds, everything went away. also, RA factor is negative. Has anyone ever experienced this with a very low positive? Anti-CCP and negative RA factor and it not be rheumatoid arthritis? I’m really doubting the diagnosis. I’m thinking I either have a very mild case of RA because of the absence of pain or stiffness or maybe I have something else? Or maybe I’m just in denial, but I am quite confused. Any feedback is welcome

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fairn | @fairn | 2 days ago

Similar numbers here except I have had positive ANA for about 7years; did your ANA come back negative? CCP and an Early Sjogren's Profile Panel came back positive and those, along with my symptoms led to a Polyarthritis/RA and Sjogren's diagnosis. I'm also positive for the HLA-B27 gene. You don't mention your age, but preventing further damage is key. My rheumatologist said many autoimmune tests only show positive after extensive damage and some never do at all. I'm on Hydroxychloroquine as well and the joint and back pain is better. My older sister has the same diagnosis but hers progressed before getting treatment and she just recently had to have major back surgery. Keep asking your doctor questions to understand better what his goals are. It's a positive thing that he's proactive when so many won't do anything until there's obvious damage.

gently | @gently | 2 days ago

Mimi1204, anti ccp is considered to have more accuracy than RF for RA though sometimes mistakenly diagnosed when it is Sjogrens or SLE Fairn's answer is good in emphasizing that the importance of preventing permanent damage to your joints. It may be that you are in the early stage of RA before damage. Her appreciation of your doctor with the caution from her rheumatologist that "many autoimmune tests only show positive after extensive damage," gives cause to cheer both of your physicians.
Whether denial, early RA or a mild case of RA, or something else, your instincts are leading you to the best question--"What else could it be?"

gently | @gently | 2 days ago

In reply to @fairn "Similar numbers here except I have had positive ANA for about 7years; did your ANA come..." + (show)

@fairn, sometime an answer is so perfect that you don't need to respond, beyond perfect and you need to repeat everything they've said.

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