Getting a diagnosis

[Sunnyseas]

Hi everyone,

My blood tests have all come back as normal pretty much, no anti-ccp, but still raised RF. I’m surprised no inflammatory markers came up - esr, CRP, given my swollen hands (although that test was 3 weeks ago when I wasn’t so bad).

My ankles, hands tell a different story, I hope I can get a correct diagnosis. Early days perhaps, can’t find anything else it can be..,

[allanah]

Take photos of your swollen joints and forward them to the doctors?

[Gnarli]

It's very early days really, and bloods don't always show the whole story. The diagnosis is based on a mix of blood results and a rheumatologist feeling afflicted joints amongst other things. Keeping a diary of symptoms, you know, where, when, for how long etc with photos showing the extent of swelling and redness could be very useful. Wishing you well

[Vonnie10]

I hope you don’t have it it’s horrible best of luck .

[cass24]

I've always been the opposite ie. raised ESR/CRP but negative RF, however, I'm fairly sure that positive RF would make RD/RA highly likely (even if not 100% certain). Do you know if they've tested anti-CCP levels (which can be another strong indicator of RA)?

Either way, if you do have RA/RD then sadly it's not at all unlikely that your symptoms will keep deteriorating, and blood levels keep changing, if/until you can get some kind of treatment plan in place.

I really hope you can get someone who will take things seriously and not rely on bloods alone since as Gnarli has said, they certainly don't necessarily tell the whole story.