It has arrived and says small inflammation but I do not have significant Rheumatoid factor protein but it confirms I have elevated level of CCP so therefore I have RA.
So now methx and ulta sound next. 2nd & 8th Oct.
I think he did not believe me when I was in there so glad in one way it shows something.
I understand, it is a sad state of affairs to be told you have a chronic illness, but a relief too as it opens doors to treatment and a better future. Welcome to the club 🤪
Since I felt he did not believe me in the consult about the pain levels I am glad I have something to prove it in a minor form. It's a rare club but I was never good at being part of a big crowd.
Don't worry too much about the small amount of inflammation. You have been diagnosed and that's the most important thing. I was diagnosed with seronegative RA (no RA factor, no ccp, no elevated ESR or CRP) without any apparent visible inflammation when I saw my rheumatologist for the first time. She just looked at some pictures I took and said yes you have it. Also, I have been on methotrexate injections for 5 years and it helped me loads. I only recently had to add sulfasalazine. So hopefully you'll achieve good results with it too
Did you mean raised CRP? I have anti-CCP type RA, meaning seropositive for that auto antibody as well as RF and CRP elevated when disease is not controlled.
At least you now know it's definitely RA and are going to have MTX to tackle it. As you have to wait until 2nd October to get the MTX and it will probably not take effect for a few weeks you may want some Prednisolone to tide you over if you have a lot of pain.
Good to read that you've got your results for blood tests. As all have said it's nothing to celebrate being told you have RA but a diagnosis means you're in the system and will get the correct care and treatment. I'm just a little ahead of you having been diagnosed in May of this year and have found the 'system' to be excellent so far especially considering the state of our NHS. Good luck and hope you're having an ok day 🙂
Sooner you were diagnosed the sooner the treatment, the less the damage incurred, so that's a plus.
Small victories are still victories!
I see the rheumy nurse later today and, hopefully, start a new combo tomorrow.
I say tomorrow, because I intend getting muellered tonight, so I can get a full night's sleep for the first time in a few weeks.
My Rheumy and GP describe it as self pain medicating.
Fancy title, but I can live with that.
Well, now you have a better handle on your condition, it'll give you just a smidgeon of relief mentally, as it's been confirmed you aren't totally out of your mind.
To me that counted for a lot, after too long a period of the conditions being overlooked and I now strongly suspect I was seronegative for several years.
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