Diagnosis

[Sammie46]

So last week i saw my rheumy for the 2nd time, had loads of blood tests again. She called me today and she gave me my diagnosis of senonegative rheumatoid arthritis. Im booked in for an Mri on my knees, ultrasounds on my ankles and hands., shes added a chest xray today on the same day as my us. I can barely walk at the moment, im shuffling and not sleeping for the pain. Are there different medications for negative and positive or is it the same ?

[rab1874]

Hopefully they’ll get you on some treatment pronto which should calm things down,I’m seronegative as well have been for 4 years but not too bad xxx

[Sammie46]

Not seeing my rheumy till after my scans and stuff. Think im seeing her mid december

[Hidden]

I’m sorry you’ve joined us.

I too am s-negative. Oh my medication!!!!! There is no one fits all it’s really trial and error and you could end up on a cocktail of drugs most people do. Finding the right combination for you takes time. We all have the same symptoms in common but this disease is very individual and constantly evolves. Managing you disease goes a long way. Keep a diary of symptoms and you can work out what’s sets of a flare .Take photos of your swelling.. a pound for a penny by the time you get an appointment it will have disappeared (happens all the time)There is no quick fix . Lots of people do well. You’ve found the place for help. Ask any questions and someone on here will probably be able to help.

[Sammie46 in reply to Hidden]

My pain and swellings have spread from 1 knee to both then to both ankles, both feet, all my toes and my left wrist and hand. I started new job in july while this was starting and they made me redundant 3 weeks ago. Cant help thinking it was because of this. Anyway i cant work at the moment as i cant walk or type, its boring at home

[Hidden in reply to Sammie46]

I understand. Stress and anxiety love this disease it feeds off it . Until you start your treatment and even then it may take time things are going to be difficult.Talk to your family and friends don’t bottle it up. I loved my fitness classes and my whole social life revolved around them. I can’t do them now but I meet up with them for a coffee before or after a class. You just need help from family and friends now so can get your head around all this. Concentrate on getting better don’t push your self too hard it will only make things worse. It’s all a shock right now but things will get better.

[Sammie46 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. I only have my hubby and youngest daughter. I dont have friends as my 1 friend died 2 yrs ago. Everyone else has used me so i dont bother now. Im not stressed but i did enjoy my bit of exercise i did air gliding. Thats the frustrating part is being able to walk without feeling vulnerable or embarassed x

[Hidden in reply to Sammie46]

Yep understand that I’ve had the RA shuffle 😁 it does pass. When you feel better you can look more to the future and how to make adjustments big and small

[charisma]

Good that you finally have a diagnosis, it has taken months. I hope you will also get appropriate prescriptions very soon, if not already, and start the slow process of subduing disease activity.

All the best with it, Sammie. 🙂

[Sammie46 in reply to charisma]

Thanks charisma.

No meds as yet, hopefully before xmas. X

[Balletmum71]

Hi Sammie, welcome to the forum .

I'm sorry you have have sero negative RA but you are in very good company and there are many of us who are travelling with you .

I've had an interesting experience but things are settling down now and I'm on a biologic.

I hope that you will find some answers soon and be on some treatment and that in turn will help you.

It is a roller coaster ride for some people and others it is fairly straightforward so don't be surprised if you feel you are getting somewhere and then things don't work out - it seems to be the way .

There is plenty of friendly support and good advice on here and you can dip in and out as you choose .

Just be aware though that we cannot give medical advice as we aren't qualified to do so but we can give our experience of something if that makes sense .

Take care and let us know how you are getting on .

[marvalusxoxo]

I don't believe so. I am also pseudo negative and my rheumy mentioned all the same meds that she's going to put me on as those who are positive.

[Eden1]

Hi I was just diagnosed last week as SeroNegative but also awaiting some further X-rays and seeing rheumatologist tomorrow evening again. I had a hip replacement 8 weeks ago which they initially said was osteoarthritis but I think I must have RA prior without knowing and the inflammation attacked hip joint. Prior the op I could barely walk at all. After my op over the past few weeks I then had pain in knees, neck, wrist, hands and just very stiff overall. I had a steroid injection last week which has helped and getting another one tomorrow evening in right knee. Also awaiting chest x-ray coming back and rheumatologist says he will start me on methotrexate - which I believe is also used to treat seropositive. In meantime I have been on Naproxen and paracetamol.