RF LEVEL OF 255 AND ESR 31 IS THAT CONSIDERED SERIOUS

[fear-of-nothing]

AFTER A MONTH OF REAL BAD PAIN IN MY NECK SHOLDERS FEET AND THEN ALL MY JOINTS I DECIDED TO GO TO THE DOCTOR ...FOUND OUT AFTER BLOOD WORK AND X-RAYS THAT I HAVE RHEUMATOID ...WHAT AM I TO EXPECT ? SUPPOSE TO SEE A SPECIALIST NEXT WEEK

[Beaches2]

Hi , and welcome to this great site. You will get lots of support here from us all.

Sounds like you got a specialist appointment quickly which is good as if rheumatoid is confirmed then the sooner you start treatment the better the prognosis for you.

Treatment for this is so much better than it used to be and there are lots of drugs to help these days so try not to worry ( easier said than done I know!) and rest up as much as possible until you see specialist. Hopefully you have painkillers and anti inflammatories from your gp?

Everyone is different and everyone's blood results are different. Actually your esr looks ok, mine has been above that for 6 months now . The specialist will do any other necessary blood tests, examine your joints and make his/ her diagnosis from there and decide what treatment is required. It can take a while to find the right drugs to help you, so patience is needed!I have been diagnosed 6 months and although better than I was,we are still trying to find the right combination of drugs to get things under control.

Keep in mind that if it is rheumatoid, most people do very well these days on treatment....and hopefully you will too.

Good luck next week x

[fear-of-nothing in reply to Beaches2]

thank you so much for replying I really appreciate it ....

[kazp]

Hello and welcome to us ....

You'll tablets Id say would be the first things, probably more tests, hopefully not too many.

there will be ups and downs, good and bad, stay as calm as you can. Most importantly have a strong sense of who you are, and you can and will, don't let stuff defeat you.

This IS NOT the end of the world as you know it, you will need to make minor changes and you can.

Hello again and stay happy & positive

[fear-of-nothing in reply to kazp]

thanks kazp for replying and the strong encouragement

[kazp in reply to fear-of-nothing]

Glad to be of help, always remember you are not alone & smile

[magglen]

When you go to see your RD specialist take a list of questions and. maybe, a support person who is likely to remember things that you may forget...... It may be worth taking pen and paper to jot down things? I hope you find your consultant kind and thoughtful and one who will give you support and reassurance.

[fear-of-nothing in reply to magglen]

thanks magglen for replying good idea about the pen and paper my mind is like a bucket with a hole in it at times...lol...

[Slumberparty]

It's been a few years since my first appointment, but I seem to recall I got my diagnosis that day, and a steroid injection that calmed things down while I waited for the methotraxate to work, which I was also prescribed. I was sent off for more blood tests, X rays on my hands, feet and lungs, all the same day. That was it I think.

If they don't offer a steroid jab, and you are in a lot of pain, ask. They can be miraculous. I hope you have a positive experience whatever the outcome, and remember, a positive rheumatoid factor doesn't always mean you have this disease x

[fear-of-nothing in reply to Slumberparty]

thank you slumberparty for your response....I would be real happy to have some relief of pain ...I fell in jan broke my ankle and my knee cap...suppose to have the knee cap repaired july 8th but now finding this out my gp says it needs to be cancelled ...time will tell I guess...maybe I will be lucky and that my blood work means something else....positive thinking

[farm123]

Its a long time ago since my first appointment but taking a few minutes to think about the following before you go will help as it is easy to forget something while you are there especially if your condition fluctuates - surprising how often I feel better in the afternoons and 'forget' what the morning was like.

Note down your pain - where, amount, how often and for how long

List current medication

Support - try and take someone with you. If you can take a family member it also helps them to understand - my rheumy team are happy when it is just me as they know things are going on OK but when my husband is with me there are problems

Think of any questions you have

Clothes with easy access to knees and short sleeved top - you may get away without having to undress too much then. (In the past I have put new socks on thinking they would be cleaner but then bits drop out of them when you take them off and their couch is left covered in black bits)

If you are given new medication check who to speak to if you feel there is a problem - some want you to go through GP others have a nurse helpline

Good luck.

[fear-of-nothing in reply to farm123]

thank you farm123 for your helpful hints