raised anti ccp and worrying about cancer

[QueenBee1989]

back in october last year following a painful foot my anti ccp result was 28.3 rheumatology declined my referral as i baordline.

my pain in foot has disappeared but now i have a sore swollen finger which comes and goes i went back to drs who have done more bloods to find my anti ccp result is now infact 78.7.

it's more then doubled in 6 months.

my pain comes and goes and it sometimes feels tight but it's completley gone in my foot now? is this normal for rheumatoid? i've been re referred.

i keep worrying because although my symtoms have been some pain and swelling it doesn't seem as bad as what i read on here. i never take any pain relief. . i went in hopes i would get some re assurance but they just repeated bloods. i do have health anxiety.

i worry because i've read a raised anti ccp could mean cancer but my gp said it's mainly to do with rheumatoid. and mostly in google it does just come with rheumatoid or other connective tissue diseases. i just don't know what is going on and feeling all kinds of worry

or is it just i am in the early stages i don't know.

i hate the unknown

[helixhelix]

Try to control your googling! One single element of a blood panel is not enough to diagnose RA, or indeed cancer. (If it was cancer there would likely be many other things that your doctors would notice).

Recognising that you hate the unknown is good, as looks like you are going to have to deal with this. It can take a long time, years even, to get a confirmed RA diagnosis. It is a slippery disease that has similarities with so many other maladies that can be tricky to pin down. With a positive anti-CCP yes it is more likely, but still not 100%. Try to wait until you get your referral appointment.

And you anti CCP may not have doubled. It can fluctuate so maybe tomorrow it will be back down again. Look after yourself, eat well, sleep properly and try to control your stress. Best way to help yourself right now.

[oldtimer2]

A raised result suggests some inflammation somewhere - have you had any infections recently? The results do go up and down as your body is always fighting something off - so many bugs around trying to infect you, especially when we are coped up together and not in the fresh air. Think of it as a good sign that your defence mechanisms are working well!

[AgedCrone]

Do stop reading Dr Google ..it often prints alarmist nonsense & frightens people needlessly.

The first months of a RA diagnosis are confusing…& often take a long time.

Listen carefully to your GP. If he/she had the slightest idea you had anything linked to cancer you woud have been referred to an Oncologist immediately.

So stop worrying…….write a list of everything that is really worrying you, make aGP appointment & get some answers, relax & get everything straight in your head.

But do leave Dr Google alone.