Scans,Xrays etc.....

[gailboddy]

I read on here all the time about having Xrays Scans MRI etc...... but I have had RA for about a year now and have never had any of these!!! Is this right??? I have no idea how my RA is progressing or not!

[helixhelix]

Normally you have a base line x-Rays of hands & feet around the time of diagnosis, and a chest X-ray if you are to start on MTX. But these won't then be repeated for 2 or 3 years, or longer. As for other scans and MRI, usually these are only requested if there's a specific problem that needs investigation. Although the radiation levels are very, very low it's a good idea not to do anything uneccessarily.

If you haven't had a base line x-Ray then ask at your next appointment. However, your doctor will have a good idea of how your RA is progressing from other results, and symptoms. It may be that you were caught early enough that there's no damage anyway to show up.

[gailboddy in reply to helixhelix]

Thanks for your reply.... Its interesting that I have had no Xrays or scans ever.... Maybe I should ask the question

[Sheila_G]

Hi. I have been diagnosed for 14 years now and have never had an xray. I have had 2 bone density scans and a liver biopsy. I don't think xrays would be done unless there was the need for them. x