RA?

newbury1

I was wondering if anyone can give me a "heads up" on what is likely to happen next.

I've had sciatia for 9 months in my left leg and was diagnosed with OA in my spine following an xray. I've been on pain medication since (which doesn't seem to be doing much good at the moment!)

The doc sent me for blood test for RA which came back positive and have had another blood test for RA which I am waiting for the results of.

What I want to try to find out is if this test comes back positive what happens next?

The thing is, I don't have any pain or other symptoms in any of the joints commonly associated with RA - hands, feet, knees etc. So if I have RA, where is it??? and how will they find out?

jordan7j

Hi, I am quite new to this, but do have RA and OA. If your test is positive you will have a referral to rheumatology, they will take it from there. Lots of other people on here can tell you much more, I am stilll getting used to it all myself, I was only diagnosed in July. I hope it isnt RA, but if it is you have all of us here for support. Jay

jaspercat

Hi, I can agree with Jordan, they should refer you to a Rheumatologist, they will probably do further blood tests, full set of x-rays and decide on a treatment plan, you might see a physio, and an Occupational Therapists to see if you need any equipment at home and splints if you need them.

Hope that this helps love Jaspercatxx

elnafinn

Yep, next port of call for you will be a rheumi. It intrigues me why you are being tested for RA if you have sciatica and no other aches and pains, swelling etc, elsewhere. I had a test that came back positive for RA but on seeing a rheumi was told I did not - I had oa which I had been diagnosed with for years. He aspirated some fluid from one of my dodgy knees and it was not the right colour to be RA.

Luv
Elna x