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Toddlers: 12 - 24 Months
NBR Rheumatoid Arthritis?
I had bloodwork done and my RA factor came back positive. I am a nervous wreck. I don't have symptoms of RA but I had blood work done because I was sick and had constant aching. I have felt fine since Friday, but now I am worried about this. Has anyone had this test done? I don't know what to think. Dr. is thinking the lab might have messed up. I was sick and on an antibiotic when I had the bloodwork done. Do you think this can mess the test up? The Dr. is calling me back tomorrow to answer all my questions. He ordered for the test to be done again. I am hoping for the best!!!
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Re: NBR Rheumatoid Arthritis?
I am sure those tests can be wrong...but if it is RA, it isn't the worst thing in the world. I have a form of RA because of my Crohn's Disease and really...once I got the diagnosis and got on meds, life was SO much better!
Good luck with everything! Hopefully it turns out to be nothing!
Like a PP said I do have RA. For me it started w/achey and tired but nothing overtly bad for about 5-6 mos. One day I just woke up and my knees were cantaloupes. That is how it started. So it could be.
Also like another PP said it could also indicate another of the auto-immune family such as Lupas or MS. I don't think the test messes up and I am pretty sure it isn't affected by antibiotics etc.
I would consult w/a Rhumetologist. He can fully evaluate you and redo the test. I say this b/c if you do have RA you need to know and start treatment right away. It is a degenerative disorder, meaning it only gets worse. Early management can save you from years of pain.
I sure wish I had been more aggressive when I was younger. Mine is really very serious now
Keep us updated, I hope by some miracle yours was wrong and you are just fine! But in case you are not, hit it w/your best shot b/c you don't want it to get out of hand!
I went to the doctor for achy joints and they did bloodwork and my ANA levels were slightly elevated. I believe at an 8. (??) My friends mom has lupus and her ANA levels were at 300. I saw a rhuemotologist and did more bloodwork and nothing. The pain subsided after a few weeks and the doctors didn't see anything abnormal.
I still don't have any explanation for the pain for slight ANA levels, but I did read online that Fifths Disease in adults can cause achey joints. My daughter had been sick right before I first felt the pain. It was during the summer so her red cheeks we thought were from the sun/ heat. I don't even know if she had Fifths disease but that's the only connection I can make.
Ugh. I wish my RH factor test had come back positive. I am in so much pain, and still have no explanation. At least a diagnosis is the beginning of treatment. Instead, I have ANA indicators that could be a host of things, including lupus or everyone's favorite, cancer. And I get to wait a month to find out, which is admittedly better than the six months I was originally waiting.
My aunt has RA. It's not fun, but she was so relieved when they actually told her what was wrong that she cried when she thanked the doctor. Things have been so much better since being able to know what was happening, and how to treat it. She's in a much better place than she was four years ago, when they had no idea.
My mom has RA, lupus, and Sjogren's Syndrome along with a brain and a neck tumor....Lots going on.
I thought I was fine until one day, when I was 24, 3 huge clumps of hair were gone. It was alopecia areata, another autoimmune disease. My tests for other things like lupus and RA didn't come back positive --- but I have been having a lot of joint pains and tiredness that I usually just attribute to being a mom.
I know RA isn't fun, but my mom manages ok with it. It's hard to tell which specific illness is affecting her body and how, but anyway, it can be managed.
Good luck to you and hugs.