Seronegative or positive

[Uga35570]

Anybody know how you tell whether you are negative or positive other than asking rheumy who I don't see again until Sept? Also does it make any difference to r A treatment etc?

[oldtimer]

It a blood test. Your GP will have access to the results as well as your specialist. But it doesn't matter, except that it is sometimes more difficult to access treatment if you are sero-negative. If you have classic signs and symptoms then the treatment will be same.

[Uga35570 in reply to oldtimer]

Thank you oldtimer it's just I don't know which I am. Although I have regular blood test every 6-8 weeks.

[nomoreheels]

When I was diagnosed the Clínica de Diagnóstico gave me a folder with all my tests results (bloods & imaging plus DAS examination tender joint count etc). If you were given one, or if your Consultant gave you a printout look up your FR (Factor Reumatoide) & anti-CCP (anticuerpos Antipéptido Cíclido Citrulinado). If you had a high FR & positive anti-CCP then you were diagnosed seropositive, if you had a low FR & negative anti-CCP then you were diagnosed seronegative.

This explains more nras.org.uk/seropositive-se...

The Spanish version of Lab Tests Online may help further (I take it like mine your results will have been in Spanish) labtestsonline.es/search?ke...

Hope this helps.

Whether it makes any difference to your treatment is more about how severe or extensive your disease activity was on diagnosis or is now not really whether you are seropositive of seronegative.

[Simba1992]

The jury is still out on what eventual differences are on sero negative and positive. I have read a lot of studies and followed how RA patiens have reacted differently. Usually the treatment protocol is the same. I have however noticed after following the efficacy of Mtx in sero negative is different, sero positive seem to have a better reaction.

[Hidden]

All I can say is that between 1987 - 2014 was seronegative. The day my reumy told me my status had changed she was surprised. My teatment was changed slightly to allow for my added diagnosis of Vasculitis. Now, my Sjogrens Syndrome has worsened.

[Mandalou]

Hi Uga35570

It was my GP that ran the rheumatoid factor and anti CCP tests when I presented with symptoms in 2015.

She did this while putting me on a high dose of oral steroids while I was waiting for my referral to a Rheumatologist.

I would go to your GP and ask them what your notes say.

I was negative for both tests but my symptoms were explosive and disabling , oral steroids worked well and when I tapered the dose down all my symptoms came back. It was a horrible time.

Remember that a sero negative diagnosis can become positive over time and being sero negative doesn’t mean you dont have RA .

Ive been on Biologics since six months after diagnosis though.

I am sero negative currently and my liver rejected traditional DMARDS hence the Enbrel then Benepali.

It is said that Sero positive RA can be more erosive and severe but its not always the case.

[wishbone in reply to Mandalou]

Are you saying that people who are seronegative are not normally prescribed biologics?

[Mandalou in reply to wishbone]

Hi Wishbone,

I don’t think seronegative or seropositive has anything to do with the treatment prescribed.

My post probably read like that but it’s not the case.

Sorry for any confusion, I’ve edited my post now so Im not leading anyone up the garden path.

Cheers Mx

[wishbone in reply to Mandalou]

I misunderstood your post. Genuine question though as I wasn't 100% sure if that was not the case.

[Mandalou in reply to wishbone]

I think Mthx is just the gold standard first point of call for most whether they test positive or negative.

Some people’s onset is subtle or in my case explosive and catastrophic. ( doing pretty well now though)

Maybe in different countries with different funding people might go straight onto Biologics. You know some having insurance etc.

I had terrible responses to Mthx, Sulfa and leflunomide and my symptoms were so disabling and needing such high doses of Pred which gave me diabetes that I feel grateful to have seen just the right rheumatologist at the right time. Hence the fast change to Biologics.

Some people have such a battle to get these drugs so I count myself so fortunate and the hell of the initial seven /eight months was almost worth it for the lack of side effects I suffer now ( not totally side effect free, I’ve lost my sense of taste and smell for example and have to eat antihistamine by the handful due itchy response to Hydroxy )

Hope you are doing ok Wishbone?

Mx

[wishbone in reply to Mandalou]

I'm not too bad thanks. I'm seropositive and for the past 8 months have been taking baricitinib, a JAK Inhibitor, which is neither a DMARD nor a biologic.. apparently.

Glad you've got a good rheumy and are doing well on benapali. I was on enbrel for a few months which worked wonders, but unfortunately had to come off it after a serious infection. That was 4 years ago and I've had problems with meds ever since, up until baricitinib arrived on the scene that is. It's nowhere near as good as enbrel, which was too good if you know what I mean, but am doing ok.

[VeronicaF]

I am seronegative and I am going on biologics in a matter of weeks after this second chicken pox vac, which comes in two parts, it hasn't changed anyway in how I am beening treated, I being treated the same if I was seropos

I think if the damage is being done its being done regardless of which one you are