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RF numbers, any ideas?

Posted , 8 users are following.

Garlisjones
Garlisjones

Hi all,

I was due to have a gp call me today because he wanted to talk to me about my rheumatoid factor results but when I called this afternoon to chase it I waa told I am actually booked in for a call next Tuesday. The rereceptionist read the go note on my blood test and it said detected 1/160. Does that mean anything to anyone? My symptoms started with joint pain confined to two knuckles but has now spread to all hand joints on both sides, wrists, shoulders, ankles, knees and toes plus a tight feeling around the top of my arm but that's intermittent. I have also developed stabbing pains in the soles of my feet and sometimes my skin feels sore on my arms when I lean on something. There's also intermittent throbbing pain in my joints. It all started in September but that was just one arm, all other symptoms started this year. I have family history of lupus and I had endometriosis which some consider as an autoimmune disease 

Any insight would be greatly appreciated, it feels things are getting worse over a short period of time

Lisa x

0 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • carol303055
    carol303055 Garlisjones

    Posted

    Hi Garlisjones, he’s going to do a telephone follow up next Tuesday? I can’t throw any light on the numbers, sorry, but it sounds likely  that you’re going to need to see your doctor on the basis of your worsening symptoms alone let alone your blood results. A weeks worth of worrying?  I would try to make an appointment before then and push for a Rheumy referral if there’s any suspicioun of RA.  Good luck. Carol
    • Garlisjones
      Garlisjones carol303055

      Posted

      Thanks Carol, my surgery ate ridiculously overrun, the only way of getting an appointment is on an emergency basis and that won't do that just for test results. I'm in pain constantly but I'm coping, I'm managing to work etc so I don't think they'll see me as an urgent case x

    • carol303055
      carol303055 Garlisjones

      Posted

      You need to see the doc because of your pain and what to do next despite your test results.  Are you in the UK?  Your GP is the ‘gatekeeper ‘ who needs to refer you. You are coping but for how long? Delay in diagnosis and treatment of RA leads to deformity which is no good for you (or the health service).  Don’t be put off.  The pain can be intense and you don’t want to feel you have no alternative but to go A&E which wouldn’t really help.  Push for an early appointment. Good luck. Carol

  • Tammyshernia
    Tammyshernia Garlisjones

    Posted

    Go to a Rumatoligist not a gp my dr put me on all meds that were not the right meds
    • blair97497
      blair97497 Tammyshernia

      Posted

      Hey there - it's not necessarily an available option in a public health system to "go to" a specialist without a referral. This is the case in my country and I expect in the UK. Even a private specialist will be likely to require a referral from a general practitioner before providing consultation.

  • Rowbirdie
    Rowbirdie Garlisjones

    Posted

    It sounds like your GP will refer you to a rheumatologist with all that joint pain. It takes a little while to work out the right meds if this turns out to be RA or something similar , but eventually you get an mprovement. I am so much better than when I was first diagnosed 4 years ago! I think it's worth keeping a diary of where there is joint pain / swelling and other symptoms.

    It s also worth getting yourself informed from NRAS or arthritis research websites. I took a friend with me on first visit to the consultant . It was a shock, even though I was expecting a diagnosis of RA so I needed someone else there to remember what the dr said! 

    Hope you get some relief soon from the pain- and some answers

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