Positive rheumatoid factor and CCP

[nomoney]

Hi ,Will try to make a long story short. In 2018 I had a RF of 381 at the time was told its not RA but osteoarthritis and my raised RF was due to my dad having severe RA so no treatment. Just over 6 weeks ago I had pain in hands so went to GP who did blood tests my RF is now 945.4 a ccp blood test has come back as 348. GP did a referral to rheumatology on 6th June and again on 4th July. Am nervous about it being RA as I saw what it did to my dad.

[Lolabridge]

Hello Nomoney. Try not to panic! Treatments for RA are so much better these days and hopefully you will get to see a Rheumatologist soon to get a diagnosis one way or another. It’s good that your GP is chasing up the referral for you so hope you won’t need to wait too long. Good luck!

[medway-lady]

I sympathise as said to my consultant about my mum. He replied that the days of wheelchair bound invalids are mostly long gone. Medications have improved so much it is extremely rare for anyone to end up crippled and bent over with twisted hands and a lot of pain. And medication do continue to be developed. I have in over 30 years never had any real issues, I just take the meds and forget it. Not always but mostly. I worked until retirement with no problem, have an active normal life with a couple of minor limitations. I do have other health issues but RA is nowhere near the worst. It might take time and patience but you can be optimistic, don’t look to Dr Google but look up NRAS website. It has lots of info and is helpful.

[Brushwork]

I agree. I saw my Uncle and a family friend suffer so much with RA.

I think we are much more fortunate these days, treatments are so much better. I’ve had RA with extremely high RA and anti-CCP, along with a warning that my RA is in severe category, for 27 years. It’s been pretty well controlled and I’m still mobile and mostly pain free. I know I have RA as it does have a habit of reminding me… but my quality of life, my joints too are good.

Take the meds, be as healthy as you can (diet and exercise) and learn as much as you can about the disease and the meds.

I hope you find a good path through.

Go gently

[smilelines]

you will be ok. Things are different now. ❤️

[AgedCrone]

Please don’t be worried..I was diagnosed over 25 years ago & treatments these days are so much better now. I have had excellent results with the DMards (Disease Modifying Anti Rheumstic Drugs) that have been available…& now on a Biologic drug, I am seen as in remission from RA. Now needing only an annual treatment infusion, plus the odd painkiller.

If you end up on a long waiting list to see a NHS rheumatologist …..funds allowing it is very well worth making a private appointment. Your NHS GP can recommend a Rheumy consultant …just speak to that doctor’s private practice secretary …..both to make sure he/she does have a NHS practice that you can transfer to, . ..& to ask how much a private consult would be.

You would still have to wait your turn for an eventual NHS appointment with that doctor, but you would get started on medication & that really could make all the difference …early treatment really does help.

Good Luck.

[RAat13]

Hey.I know RA is scary especially when you've seen what it can do, however, the medications these days are really good. It takes a while to figure out what will be right for you but once you get it and a few lifestyle changes, there's no reason you can't lead a happy life.

I was diagnosed as a teen 22 years ago and there was only a select few. It was only last year I started Rituximab that has changed my life. It will be okay x

[Colaba]

I am puzzled. I have never been given any such information about RF (????) or any technical information at all (actually about any illness) .

I just take the tablets prescribed. The disease seems to be progressing slowly. I am very old so other factors may curtail the worst effects of RA. Do most people generally have such knowledge?

Very rare 10 minute meetings with a GP who may or may not be part of some kind of monitoring team provide little information. I keep taking the tablets that are presumed to work.

I have tended to try not to worry, given that decine seems inevitable. Depression so far is mild and I keep doing what I can. Recent significant reductions in activity - and hope - clearly point towards frustrated depression. So far I think I have that under control.

Mustn't grumble.

WT

[whitedog in reply to Colaba]

I feel the same, sometimes, so look for clinical documents, test results and scan results etc on Patient Access or the NHS App. I've discovered details about my conditions that I wasn't told about by doing that. And then, by researching, I've understood more.

I was puzzled recently, as nothing from rheumatology was showing on Patient Access since last year so I messaged the GP just to check that they were aware of what had been going on. And since then, documents have been uploaded but they weren't all sent to me by post.

And, I suppose with backlogs to get through, time is an issue so appointments can feel rushed.

[Happy5]

Hello feel your nervousness I recall a patient 40 plus years ago being admitted on the ward I was on (was a nurse) and she was in an awful way. Nowadays treatment has made many strides which I'm grateful for, and have provided me a reasonable quality of life.

Make a list of your questions, concerns, I spoke with the specialist nurse about mine. The doctor diagnoses and prescribes the nurse looks after the care plan so between them you're covered. Also ensure you have an advice line to the RA dept , which I've learned to contact sooner rather than later thinking things will improve on their own , doesn't work.

This forum and other legitimate sites are available too.

All the best 😊

[Pjf0265]

hi

I was exactly the same , was so worried as my

Mum had chronic RA ! I was so reassured by the rheumatology team who said that due to the meds these days I would not be going down the same road as my poor mum did x

Been on methotrexate just over three months now and things are settling down and I feel a lot better than I did !

Stay strong