Am I missing something?

[Mcdebz]

Hi. After years of being robbed off with only painkillers I finally got to see a RA consultant. (After an American Dr I was sat next to at a café took one look at me!) Then had the good luck to see another American Dr who was filling in for my usual GP. Put on methotrexate injection straight away. They were horrified and so far diagnosed me with several different forms of Arthritis.( Lucky me! ) Anyway when I read people's posts ,they mention numbers that tests have revealed. I do not understand what they are or represent. I'm obviously missing something and I can't be the only one! Someone please explain......

[helixhelix]

Best advice I can give is to look at nras.org.uk The pages for the newly diagnosed are helpful and clear.

Basically there is a lot of technical stuff and it's easy to be overwhelmed by it all at the start, so no point in drowning you in info. Ask when you have a question about anything particular, and normally some one on here will help you fairly quickly. There are a lot of different tests, so don't know which particular ones you are most interested in.

(And thank goodness you've finally been treated!)

[Hidden]

Hi Mcdebz

Are you in the UK, had US doctor look at you when GP not available?

Your experience sounds bad.

Have you had RF and CRP and ESR numbers in tests?

Plenty of info if you look at NRAS or just ask the doctor.

Sending sympathy and best of luck with treatment.

Angela

[Mandy8175]

Hi! I am interested to know why you were never treated by the rheumatologist in the first place!? Sadly, most rheumatologist use your hands to diagnose, instead of looking for systemic inflammation! I also feel that a way to track people that have been diagnosed with RD should be implemented by the medical community. I would be in a far better place within the disease if someone would have made sure I was educated and treated by my parents, as I was diagnosed at 12 in 1987! Too many of us get lost in the system due to the ignorance of some rheumatologist!

I will try to help in any way I can, just need to have a specific question!

[Neonkittie17 in reply to Mandy8175]

Hugs .. To have arthritis at 12 must have been very hard. xx. Baffled too why McDebz has been allowed to slip through the system. 😐

[Kai--]

.

If ever you wish to wade 'deep into the weeds' 🌾🌾 , Mcdebz, have a look-see 👀 :

. . . 'Serology (RF, ACPA, Anti-CCP, ANAs, ANCA) in Rheumatology' Series from . . . 'Rheumatology Toolbox': healthunlocked.com/nras/pos...

🙏 🍀 🌺 🌞

.

[Hidden]

hi Mcdebz,

you are always welcome to call the NRAS helpline if you are in the UK to have a chat about things:

0800 298 7650 Mon - Thurs 9.30am - 4.30pm

or if you are not in the UK you can email us at:

[e-mail]

Regards

Beverley (NRAS Helpline)