Confused re. blood test results

Kirsty1979
Kirsty1979 Member Posts: 30
edited 14. Jan 2011, 17:01 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi all,

I'm still trying to get to the bottom of what's causing me the problems I have with my knees and am a bit confused about my latest set of blood results.

To recap I've suffered with swollen, stiff and painful knees for years but had given up getting a diagnosis/treatment. A few months ago I decided enough was enough and went back to my GP. She ordered initial blood work including Rh factor, ESR and CRP which all came back normal. She also sent me to the physio who in turn referred me to rheumy (currently awaiting my first appointment). I went back to my GP last week and had another set of bloods done all of which have come back normal again.

I'm a little bit confused - my physio told me I had seronegative arthritis. Could he have deduced this from physical exam/history? Is it possible to have seronegative arthritis with no elevation in any inflammatory markers? I thought it just referred to negative Rh factor... Could it because my blood tests were taken at a time when my symptoms were relatively mild i.e. between flare-ups?

Please could anyone shed any light? It would be most welcome!

Kirsty x

Comments

  • 03darhum
    03darhum Member Posts: 72
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    i was told that serio negative athritis is just like ra but it does not show up in the blood sometime the markers show up later on in life
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,884
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi kirsty

    The rhuematologist will give you your diagnosis - my bloods are always neg as far as I know - my rheumy calls mine RA anyway. I would guess the physio thinks it very likely from what he/she can 'see' The treatment for sero-neg is the same as RA.

    When the rheumy has decided what it is, you should get some meds to help you some DMRADS (disease modifying anti rheumatic drugs) to prevent damage to your joints. he may request other tests like xrays etc.

    Good luck - I hope you are seen soon

    Love

    Toni xx
  • tjt6768
    tjt6768 Member Posts: 12,170
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Afternoon Kirsty, hope you are well..

    I was diagnosed with sero neg in March last year, My bloods were all normal and I haven't ever had any swelling either, I guess the physio was assuming but the Rheumy will give you a true diagnosis.. I have it in my wrists and hands, but have had OA in knees and spine for more years than I care to remember.

    My Rheumy started me on Hydroxychloroquine straight away and I have had a steroid injection in mi bum every three month or so since.. I go back on Monday, hands seem to be getting worse, will see what he has to say...

    Be well

    :grin:
    e050.gifMe-Tony
    n035.gifRa-1996 -2013 RIP...
    k040.gif
    Cleo - 1996 to 2011. RIP
  • Kirsty1979
    Kirsty1979 Member Posts: 30
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks guys - really helpful as usual!

    Good luck for your appointment on Monday, Tony - hope you can get things back under control soon.

    Kirsty x
  • traluvie
    traluvie Member Posts: 2,579
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Kirsty,

    Just read your post...
    My bloods also came back normal and have been tested twice.. I have pain in wrists, fingers, knees, shoulders neck and now elbows and feet.. i get swelling in my hands , shoulders and neck.. i also had x-rays which came back clear, but rheumy says my symptoms are of inflamatory arthritis.. He has now sent me for a bone scan(appointment came today..tues)which will hopefully show anything up, ...
    So together we are newbies at this and are both waiting so i can understand how you are feeling at the mo and so will many others..
    I'm am just trying to take each day as it comes now, and wait and see what happens..
    This is a great place to chat and sek advice and i know there is a helpline you can ring too, they may be able to help you too..
    Let us know how you get on..
    Take care
    Tracy
    xxx
    th_tn_TisFORTIGGER.jpgxxTracyxx
  • jacqmun
    jacqmun Member Posts: 65
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Isn't this bl**dy disease confusing!?!?!? :!: and a wee bit scarey at the same time :sad:
    When it rains, look for rainbows. When it's dark, look for stars
  • tjt6768
    tjt6768 Member Posts: 12,170
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Confusing and bloody annoying jacqmum! Lol


    Thanks Kirsty, I will put a post up about how I go on Monday.
    :grin:
    e050.gifMe-Tony
    n035.gifRa-1996 -2013 RIP...
    k040.gif
    Cleo - 1996 to 2011. RIP
  • jacqmun
    jacqmun Member Posts: 65
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    tjt6768 wrote:
    Confusing and bloody annoying jacqmum! Lol


    Thanks Kirsty, I will put a post up about how I go on Monday.
    :grin:

    Good luck for Monday :smile:
    When it rains, look for rainbows. When it's dark, look for stars
  • jacqmun
    jacqmun Member Posts: 65
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    traluvie wrote:
    Hi Kirsty,

    Just read your post...
    My bloods also came back normal and have been tested twice.. I have pain in wrists, fingers, knees, shoulders neck and now elbows and feet.. i get swelling in my hands , shoulders and neck.. i also had x-rays which came back clear, but rheumy says my symptoms are of inflamatory arthritis.. He has now sent me for a bone scan(appointment came today..tues)which will hopefully show anything up, ...
    So together we are newbies at this and are both waiting so i can understand how you are feeling at the mo and so will many others..
    I'm am just trying to take each day as it comes now, and wait and see what happens..
    This is a great place to chat and sek advice and i know there is a helpline you can ring too, they may be able to help you too..
    Let us know how you get on..
    Take care
    Tracy
    xxx
    The on-line helpline are great too, they put me onto this forum as they couldn't help with a question I had :grin:
    When it rains, look for rainbows. When it's dark, look for stars
  • tjt6768
    tjt6768 Member Posts: 12,170
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    jacqmun wrote:
    tjt6768 wrote:
    Confusing and bloody annoying jacqmum! Lol


    Thanks Kirsty, I will put a post up about how I go on Monday.
    :grin:

    Good luck for Monday :smile:


    Cheers hun :grin:
    e050.gifMe-Tony
    n035.gifRa-1996 -2013 RIP...
    k040.gif
    Cleo - 1996 to 2011. RIP