HI, looking for a bit of advice please. Have seen the Dr (no permanent dr's at the moment all locums and allways a different one which doesn't help) and he was thinking RA, went for blood tests for RFactor, results came back. Went to Dr to get the results and she said they were negative for RFactor and re-examined me and she said the same, that she thinks it probably is even with this result. Asked what I should do and she said to carry on what I am doing, which is taking pain killers and to come back if it get's unbearable and would look into refering me to a physio. said ok and got up to walk out. Half in the doorway she said to me to come back in two weeks to have the blood tests re-done as some of my immune levels are low, said ok and left. I don't like going to the dr, i know nobody probably does but i know i should of asked more questions, but I seem to revert to a little child when in these kinds of situatiions. tell my self off afterwards and think of things i should of asked or said. Any way can anybody shed some light on what she may have meant by low immune levels and if they have any relevance to RA. Hubby coming with me next time to make sure I ask questions. Any help would be greatfully appeciated. Thanks
Newbie looking for some assistance on blood results a... - NRAS
Newbie looking for some assistance on blood results and lack of info from DR.
Many meds to treat RA lowers your immune system. Could be the reason, however i also have fybro which is over active nerves and attacks your immune system.
Are you saying that the doctor thinks it may be RA, but that you haven't been formally diagnosed? Current good medical practice is to make a referral to a rheumatologist immediately, because treatment in the early stages may prevent joint damage and get the disease under control much more quickly. Physio may help with symptoms but will not treat the disease. Try and see the same doctor again if you can, and push for a referral.
Good luck,
Dotty
Yes I agree with Dotty. If there's a chance you may have RA then you need to be referred as soon as possible - not to a physio yet but to a rheumatologist. Some people don't have positive rheumatoid factor but still have RA - it's called Sero Negative RA and is harder to diagnose but you should still be referred.
If you are going to get through this period of your life you need to change your attitude to doctors and see them as people whose job it is to try and repair you/ make you better. They are very well paid and you need to treat them just like any other professional people - be firm and persistent. If the pain continues and you can see the same doctor tell them you have now done some research and would like to be referred.
Good luck and I'm hoping it all goes away. Tilda x
Hi there, I would support what Dotty says as if there is a possibility it's RA then the sooner you get to see a rheumatologist the better. Being negative for the RF factor is neither here nor there, as you can have RA without this being positive. And the comment about low immune levels could have been referring to all sorts of things, either that some of the blood counts eg for white blood cells we a bit low showing that you don't have a high immune response so maybe something else going on, or indeed that other tests to show whether there is active inflammation were also low which is why the doc was inclined to wait to refer you. Diagnosing an inflammatory arthritis can be tricky, as blood tests don't necessarily show the true picture, and the physical symptoms can come and go. But it is import to keep pushing, so great that tou're going back to ask more. Take care, Pollyx
Hello Little Dragon (what a lovely user name)
I am sorry you are struggling and I am pleased that the Dr you saw recognises potential RA, and doesn't just rule it out because blood tests are RF negative as so many docs do. BUT, I am concerned that, apart from repeat blood tests, you have just been told to come back if things don't get better and she will refer you to a physio.
As the others say, when RA is suspected, qucik referral to a rheumatologist for early diagnosis and treatement is really important. Diagnosing RA (or other inflammatory arthritis) is not always straightforward and only a rheumatologist can do this and prescribe the appropriate meds to start trying to bring the inflammation under control.
I'm not sure what your doc meant about "low immune levels" but I do know from experience that blood tests in early RA do not always give a clear picture of what is going on.
I am really pleased that your hubby is going to the next appt with you - I always take someone with me if I can because I find it really helps. I agree completely with Dotty that, if you can, you should see the same GP as before when you go (given that you saw one before who seems to know at least something about RA) and to ask for a rheumatology referral as soon as possible. Sometimes there is quite a wait for rheumatology referrals so I wonder if you would consider going back to the GP sooner rather than later, rather than waiting for the resuts of the next blood tests. That way you could hopefully get the process started more quickly.
If you go to the NRAS homepage and look at the "what is RA" section, there is some useful information, including an article on how to get the best out of your GP consultation.
Thinking of you and good luck with your next appt.
Tillyx
ask for a copy of the blood tests they didnt give me mine till i saw someone private.
what was the test
RA FACTOR
FBC
CRETINE
AND ERYTHROCYTE SEDIMENT RATE
PROTEIN ELECTROPHORESIS
THEY SHOULD HAVE ALSO THROWN IN A LIVER FUNCTION TEST
THEN IF YOU KNOW THEM I WILL HAVE A LOOK AT THE RESULTS
THE NORM SHOULD BE IN BRACKETS AT THE END IT WILL ALSO GIVE low OR high
IF YOU ARE OUT THE SPECTRUM.
YOU NEED TO KNOW THE FIGURES OF THESE.
REGARDS JOHN
hi little dragon, when I first went to the docs with swollen hand joints he said "well I will send you for blood tests but I bet its not RA" I already had an ink;ling that it was, so was gobsmacked that he would say this with a smirk on his face. My tests came back positive and needless tio say I never made an appt with that doc again. Its true what everyone says , they are paid to see us so keep on pushing until you get answers.
Regards sharon
hi little dragon ...
we are all the same when first digonised with any type inflammatory arthritis.. nobody knows what questions to ask ... i have no more to add ,, then whats others ave already said to your blog ... but you dont after worry anymore ,, youve just made the best step you could make by joining the site , you will find the answers to all your questions here ,, or even find the right questions to ask ... " your now in good hands " ... 
request to see a rheumy ...
Hi LittleDragon
It sounds as if you've already received lots of good advice. As the others have mentioned, the disgnosis of RA can be difficult to establish but early referral to a rheumatology specialist is often the first step. I have included a link below to the 'How is it diagnosed?' section of our website which I hope you will find helpful: nras.org.uk/about_rheumatoi...
I wish you luck with your next GP appointment. Please don't hesitate to give the NRAS helpline a call on: 0800 298 7650 if you have any further questions.
Kind regards
Sarah Kate
NRAS
Hi everyone,
Thankyou so much for all you reply's,
Dotty - yes that's right, I haven't as yet been formaly diagnosed but with two dr saying the same thing then there must be something they are seeing. When the first Dr mentioned it i was a bit gobsmacked and my immediate response was "What i'm not even 40 yet" funny how thing's drift through your mind and out your mouth before you even think about it.
I have made an appointment for Friday with a Lady Dr who is going to be permanent, hubby still coming with me to make sure I tell her everything and cover what was said to previous dr's and will take your advice and ask for a referral. Also take a good look at myself and initiate a change of attitude as far as Dr are concerned, If this is RA or something then I need to.
Minka / John - I will try to obtain a copy of my blood results also, I was unaware that you could get them.
Thankyou so much everybody. Will keep you posted
Hi I am very new here,only diagnosed last mth but wen I had my blood results back I asked receptionist for a print out for me.she did this willingly.i am also negative in rheumotoid factor but have very high anti ccp and crp levels confirming RA.i have very sore fingers wrists,knees and feet,it's all going on here !!! :))) this site has helped me immensely,especially wen worrying myself sick over taking medication,itsw been brilliant for me.friday wen u see dr ask receptionist for a print out,post on here and I know so many will be helping you with it all.lots of love Michelle xx
to
Ear ache or RA in jawbone ?
Gut bacteria over growth ! Eeeeeee
A Happy Day.
First rhuematology appt as my GP thinks I have RA
