Awaiting RA diagnosis

[twinks1954]

Is rheumatoid factor 30 bad? Also is pain constant or only when you have a flare? Can you have weeks months years without pain

[helixhelix]

A RF of 30 is only a weak positive. It can go into the hundreds. But it doesn't really match symptoms as some people have a high RF with mild symptoms and vice-versa. And some people have a positive RF and don't have RA at all, as it's not a very specific test.

If you are waiting on a appointment keep a diary of your symptoms, and if you get hot and swollen joints take photos of them as could well be normal on the day of your appointment.

You can have pain from active inflammation, which settles down once inflammation is calmed. But if your joints get damaged, then you usually have permanent pain. The treatment goal these days is to get people into remission as quickly as possible, with no damage along the way. And then your life can be pretty normal.

[Simba1992]

I think it would be an idea to visit an endo and check your thyroid and estrogene/progesterone ratio. Your symptoms after childbirth may also have to do with irregularities on these fronts.

[Hidden]

it must be impossible to not get ahead of yourself re diagnosis and future health for you daughter, who wouldn't? The experience of RA is so different for everybody and i don't think you don't yet know whether she actually will receive a diagnosis of RA. Re pain: My husband had severe pain initially, prior to diagnosis, but once he started meds, pain wasn't a specific problem, even though swelling, stiffness, fatigue and inflammation remained. It wasn't that it was under control, it just didn't effect him in that way. So.... you can't really know.