Hello

[Luvmyanimals]

My name is Nancy. Ibe been having painful joints for about 10yrs now. My dr is great. I have recently had some major swelling and pain lethargy that whole bag. She tested again for rf. My rheumatiod factor and inflammation markers were high. Getting in with rheumatologist soon. Is this what they mean when they say i have pos or neg ra? Sorry lots to ask and my fingers not cooperating. Im afraid and my family doesn't know how scared i am. Any advise?

[helixhelix]

If your rheumatoid factor is high then that probably means it's in the positive range, so IF you have RA it will be called sero-positive RA.

But before you assume the worst, lots of people have a positive rheumatoid factortest and don't have RA. It's not a precise test. However if you have high inflammation markers as well it is more likely.

But still don't panic. I was diagnosed 8 years ago and at first it was hell. But I've found the right mix of drugs for me and am now fine and 95% normal. So even if you are diagnosed with it the treatment now is miles better than it used to be. Stay away from the horror stories on the internet, and stay positive.

[Luvmyanimals in reply to helixhelix]

Thanks for the encouragement. There are alot of those stories everywhere!

[Hessie5 in reply to Luvmyanimals]

With RA it is what it is that’s the constant! As pointed out best antidote is to stay positive, avoid negativity. Everyone’s journey is different. You get to know what works for you. I have good, bad and awesome days where I forget I have this illness. My bad days I simply relax. Overall, I am coping. Wishing you nothing but the best.

[Gnarli]

Hi Nancy and welcome. As you're not diagnosed yet all you can do is try to relax and wait for your appointment when things could become clearer. As the old saying goes 'good news is no news' and its the horror stories that sell newspapers. Save your energy until such time as its needed. Please keep in touch

J