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I have had RA for 5 years & despite prognosis I'm doing

Posted , 19 users are following.

Guest
Guest

I have had RA for 5 years & despite prognosis I'm doing very well.

The information on this site, in my opinion, is very good.

I would like to add that the outlook for those newly diagnosed now is probably better than it ever has been. This is because of the rapid advancement of new drugs. But don't hang around for a diagnosis, move quickly! Form a good working relationship with your doctor but if you really can't - find another doctor equally quickly! I recommend the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society which offers excellent support for people with RA.

[i:c2e9ebf4d8]This message was automatically imported from the original Patient Experience[/i:c2e9ebf4d8]

1 like, 63 replies

63 Replies

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  • scriv
    scriv

    Posted

    Hi m67

    It's 5 years now since that earlier posting of mine and yes, I did see a rheumatologist, who diagnosed osteo-orthritis not RA - but thank you very much for your interest and advice, which would have been very sensible if I had been diagnosed with RA.

  • m67
    m67

    Posted

    @ scriv

    No problem, I try and help fellow travelers if I can.

    I've certainly found since developing a plethora of illnesses along with and from my RA, that you can only get truly successfully treated if know you own illnesses well, their treatments and keep up with new ideas.

    GP's do the best they can, but the hint is in the word General, not specialist.

    Glad it all worked out OK for you smile

  • michelle51012
    michelle51012 Guest

    Posted

    I have been in pain, chest pains electric/ sharp pain in jaw/neck, groin/hip pain, Low back pain, constant headaches, spine pain with clicking sensation in low back and steadily increasing global pain after a fall almost 4 years ago. A new doctor was concerned with my Labs, sent me to Rhuematology who ordered more testing. Can someone help me understand my results.

    ribonucleoprotein 8.0 Higher than normal.

    Smith 2.5 Higher than normal.

    ANA Speckled 1:640 Titer.

    Rheumatoid factor 30.0 IU/mL Higher than normal.

    C reactive protein 0.130 mg/dL.

    ESR 32 mm/hr Higher than normal.

    Vitamin D 25 Hydroxy 17.54 ng/mL.

    CBC( All within reference range)

    Urinalysis Panel (All within Range EXCEPT Soecific Gravity, Urine Quantitative) 1.025 Higher than normal.

    A1C 6.0 Higher than normal.

    Glucose 2 Hour Post 75g Glucose 69.7 mg/dL Lower than normal.

    Glucose Fasting 86 mg/dL.

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