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Is it possible to have SS and negative rheumatoid factor?

Posted , 4 users are following.

Sweetness
Sweetness

I was diagnosed with SS by just having a high ESR. My rheumatoid was negative. I am having very little pain on my wrists and Kness. My symptoms are dry mouth and dry eyes. All this came after a back injury .

Maybe I need a second opinion.

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • Galapagos
    Galapagos Sweetness

    Posted

    If in doubt get a second opinion, you'll be pleased you did. I'm sure I have a negative Rheumatoid factor but I have a high anti nuclear. I also had to have a salivary gland scan to confirm it. I keep saying I'm going to get a second opinion and one day I might just decide enough and get one as I feel I'm just being led up the garden path. 
  • Sweetness
    Sweetness

    Posted

    Thanks for your reply! I will get a second opinion! I do have a high ANA. I should look into getting a scan too.
  • poemsgalore55
    poemsgalore55 Sweetness

    Posted

    Hi sweetness,

    I have had sero negative RA for almost 30 years and was diagnosed with SS about 2-3 years later. It is also possible to get SS without RA, that is known as primary Sjogren's and when you have RA first and then SS, it is known as secondary Sjogren's. You need to be referred to a rheumatologist to be diagnosed properly.

  • christine49478
    christine49478 Sweetness

    Posted

    I have sero-negative sicca.  the first time I saw a GP with dry eyes and mouth (my tongue was white with dehydration) the doc suspected sjorgens but when the tests came back negative it was brushed aside and put down to the menopause.  I've had three years of illness with some terrible symptoms, over 100 medical appointments, blood tests  - you name it and I'll probably have had it .  Only when I started researching sjorgens online and matching symptoms did I get back to see a Rheymy for the Schiller eye test (where they put strips of tissue on your eyeballs to see how much moisture it sucks up in a few minutes (none!) did they diagnose me with sicca syndrome.  My current GP had to go online to research it as he knew nothing about it.  i'Ve felt like a pest constantly seeing doctors saying something is wrong and nobody being able to diagnose the problem.  Hang on in there all of you!  I'm going to post something on this site soon about all the little self-help tips I've discovered for the various symptoms I suffer in case it will help anyone even a little bit so watch this space.
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