Is the Rheumatoid factor ever checked again after the first positive one?

[Gina_K]

w

[Hidden]

HI Gina, I'm not sure about this one but I think there as to be a reason for them to check again.

I know Lyn had an experience of this recently when she was sero-negative and then tested postitve after 20 something years, hopefully she will shed more light on this and explain more for you. She did write a blogg on it too a while ago, good luck in finding your answer.

mand xx

[Andrea_Shapiro]

I believe it's checked only yearly during review; that's as I understand it as imparted by rheumatology & GP's, and I think I only get told things because I'm a nurse & I bang on about it a lot. The upshot is, if rheumatoid factor is positive, then it will always be that way. Nothing will alter being sero-positive (unfortunately). However, that's how they do things here, and I am beginning to understand that treatment for RA, as with many health complaints, has a lot to do with 'postcode lottery'. I have felt incredibly sorry for myself in the past, only to read of other people's experiences & how long they've had to wait, and then think myself fortunate. I've read a lot about sero-negative RA, and what suffering people have had to go through in diagnosis and time lapse in getting help. I'm beginning to think it's an absolute bonus in getting that sero-positive result; doesn't feel that way at the time!

[Hidden]

So true there andrea I am sero negative and over 5 years ago if not longer I first complained of pains and swellings. I was fobbed off with many other diagnosiss I even asked to be checked for ra as I know my Gran had it. I was told they had tested and I didn't have it. It was only after getting a new gp and being so bad with swellings etc they admitted me to hospital that they finally did more tests. WHen I told my gp I had already had tests for ra he said you ain't just for rheumatiod factor! So if I had have been tested properly all those years ago maybe I would not have so much damage already done. Gets me mad sometimes makes me think that few years would have made a massive difference and maybe I would be able to walk more than a few steps without being crippled in pain.