Seronegative

Went to see orthopeadics y'day he said you havn't got rheumatoid arthritis you are seronegative. Is he right. Xx Alison

[Barrister]

Hi Alison, my rheumatologist diagnosed me with seronegative rheumatoid arthritis. As I understand it, it simply means that you do not have a positive rheumatoid factor but that doesn't preclude you from having RA. Clemmie

[Hidden in reply to Barrister]

Thank you Clemmie. I am being treated for RA i have tocilizumab infusion once a month which is expensive . Fed up with being passed from pillar to post with my shoulder problems. Xx Alison

[flaxton]

Hi Alison I am seronegative but have been diagnosed with inflammatory arthritis. My rheumy said it just means we do not have the rheumatoid factor in our blood. That can however change. My rheumy nurse said the latest research has revealed that seronegative people tend to have less swelling but can have more intense bone pain.I would ask him to explain exactly what he means as it seems to go against everything other people have been told.

Good luck

Lorraine x

[Hidden in reply to flaxton]

Thank you Lorraine. I do have alot of swelling hands & feet mainly. As i said to Clemmie i am being treated as a RA patient. Xx Alison

[helixhelix]

I'm another seronegative RA'er.... Can you ask him what he means as this doesn't match anything I've been told or read! Or maybe he just knows nothing about RA? Polly

[Hidden in reply to helixhelix]

Hi Polly . He was an orthopeadic doctor, he compared me to his wife :-). I shall tell my RA nurse when i next see her. Xx Alison

[Hidden]

Hi Alison,

I am also seronegative- my rheumatologist took one look at me and announced quite triumphantly yes you do have RA. Reading information about this, a clinical paper recognised and stated 25% of of RA sufferers are seronegative. I would now be asking your GP for referral to rheumatologist so treatment can be started ASAP

Gentle hugs

Katie

[Caza]

My rheumy is treating me for the symptoms I have & also the scans & X-rays not the blood results,which are borderline,whatever that means. So I'm being treated for RA which I reckon is right. Not sure if that helps x

[Hidden]

Thank you to eveyone for your replies . I have an appointment with RA department end of July so i shall be asking a few questions i think. Xx Alison

[Sue8]

I am also sero-neg RA. Just because you don't have the RF does not mean you don't have RA. They certainly would not be giving you expensive drugs if you didn't have RA. Speak to your nurse she will put your mind at ease and trust what she/he tells you more than this orthopead.

Sue x