Seronegative

[Hammit39]

Hi all, I was wondering if anyone on here has been told they are seronegative for RA? I feel like i need a definite answer, but there is none. This is very confusing- diagnosed 2 mths ago. Thanks

[AgedCrone]

A lot about RA is confusing. If you look top right next to your post,,,,you will find past comments on Sero Neg RA.

Some people remain negative …& get on. very well…others progress to being sero positive & join the rest of us happy warriors dealing with this rotten disease.

I hope whatever your future holds you find answers to your questions.

Unless I have missed the announcement…there is no definitive answer.,

[Mmrr in reply to AgedCrone]

AC people with seronegative RA have the same issues as those with seropositive RA and the treatments are the same. Seronegative RA was once seen as not so serious, but those views have changed quite radically in recent years with seronegative RA now being seen as the one that puts patients more at risk due to delayed diagnosis and hence treatment. Fortunately Hammit39 has a quick diagnosis so all should be well. The younger generation of rheumatologist coming up are better educated than in the past and know the dangers of missing a seronegative RA diagnosis.

[AgedCrone in reply to Mmrr]

You are right there.My rheumy consultant was on holiday recently..so I saw his Registrar …on the brink of taking up a Consultant position.

We had long conversations about spin offs from RA,& he had some really interesting opinions.

Glad he’s waiting in the wings as I think my rheumy may take retirement soon.

[Mmrr in reply to AgedCrone]

Medicine changes so quickly these days, especially specialties like Rheumatology, which is good for patients...lots of more meds available 😊

[3LittleBirds2 in reply to Mmrr]

I fully agree with this. I initially had a Seronegative diagnosis..mild case and I incurred a lot of damage to my hands and feet. I did not have the anti ccp blood test done initially and nothing much showed in my bloods, my CRP levels are always fairly low even when in a severe flare..14-17 is a severe flare for me. It wasn't until a saw a young, dynamic Registrar that my diagnosis was changed to Seropostive Erosive RA, she ordered loads of X rays and the anti ccp test which was very high. RA is a complex disease and of course can change as it progresses but hopefully not if we are medicated correctly. If you have a good and on the ball Rheumatologist/Care Team you are very blessed. As it's a Chronic condition I think that is why we become so clued about it but when you are first diagnosed it is a mine field. Thank goodness we have this site and memebers for valuable information and support. To Hammit69 you may have to wait for a definite answer but as Mmrr says you have a diagnosis and being treated but always question your medical team if you are unsure or if something doesn't feel right. Wishing you all the best.

[Mmrr]

Hi, I'm seronegative, it can be confusing as there is nothing in your blood tests to support a diagnosis of RA. However seronegative RA is diagnosed on your symptoms and the rheumatologists judgement.Years ago seronegative RA was seen as less serious than seropositive RA, but this view is increasingly dated.

People with seronegative RA, have the same serious issues as those with seropositive RA and the treatments are the same.

A few people may move on to develop seropositive RA, but the numbers are not large.

Getting a seronegative diagnosis so quick will work in your favour, as one of the disadvantages of not showing evidence of inflammation in your blood results can lead to delays in diagnosis and hence treatment. So well done to your rheumatologist for being on top of things.

[sylvi in reply to Mmrr]

My bloods never show any change and i have to tell them when i go that my bloods never show any difference. xxxx

[helixhelix]

Are you saying that you haven’t been told you are seronegative? Or that you don’t think seronegative is a definitive diagnosis?

If it’s the first then ask to have a copy of the consultant’s diagnosis letter.

And if it’s then second, then this a definite diagnosis - sorry that you have it.

[Hammit39 in reply to helixhelix]

Sorry to be confusing, i have been told i am seronegative.

[Dave74]

I'm seronegative and on biologics for 12 years now! Happy to answer any questions? 😊

[Choccy23]

Hi Hammit,I hope you're not too bad today. I am also seronegative. It means my bloods are always fine, even though I get flare ups. I am on hydroxy, mtx injections and painkillers.

This is my diagnosis, although I have been told in the past I have palindromic RA too.

Have a good day.

[BoneyC]

I don't know for sure whether I was dx. as positive or negative (a child), but have been told by a Rheumatologist that I was probably positive and now negative. Weird!

[Leics]

I was diagnosed as seropositive originally but now I’m seronegative so we are able to switch from one to the other. Any diagnosis of autoimmune disease takes time to process and it seems you’re fairly new to your pathway. Sounds as though you have a good consultant though who will hopefully get you to a better place and the ever elusive remission which for me hasn’t happened yet but ever hopeful. If you need any further support and information from people who have lived with this disease for many years feel free to ask anytime, this forum is very supportive and has a wealth of knowledge of people who’ve been there done that and got the t-shirt. Welcome, to the group.

[Hammit39 in reply to Leics]

Thank you so much- you've been very encouraging

[CallMeSunny]

Hello Hammit39. As far as I understand, sero negative means the standard blood test taken to assist your clinician with a diagnosis do not show any of the more positive indicators ascribed to a definite (positive) diagnosis for Rheumatoid Arthritis. Your clinician will then ascertain your situation on a clinical basis…ie: how you present (symptoms), history and a physical examination of joints. The word ‘sero’ doesn’t mean the same as ‘zero’….it refers to ‘serology’, the scientific study of bodily fluids, in this case…blood. Hopefully this helps.

[Otto11]

Hi I was diagnosed with Sero Negative Inflammatory Arthritis possibly RA or Psoriatic Arthritis without Psoriasis 25 years ago. It took 9 years to get a diagnosis as my symptoms were not typical. By the time I was diagnosed I had a lot of damage mostly in my feet & hands. I was told treatment is the same for Sero Positive & Negative so after 2 years of DMARDS I was quickly prescribed Biologics. Somewhere in the past 10 years my diagnosis changed to Sero Positive but no one even told me as the treatment is the same. Im sorry you have been diagnosed but would say Sero Negative is your diagnosis.

[Munro76]

I was diagnosed with inflammatory arthritis at the start. Negative on the rheumatoid factor test. After about 18 months the consultant is now happy to class is as sero negative RA. Hope it all works out for you. I ended up on the biologics and things are very good now. Stay positive!

[smilelines]

I was diagnosed with seronegative RA. This was changed to psoriatic like arthritis. Not sure why. I don't have psoriasis. It is tricky when our blood work is totally normal all the time. A definitive test would have been nice as the idea of, maybe I don't have it, always crept into my mind.