new tests

airwave
airwave Member Posts: 579
edited 22. Apr 2009, 04:13 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi All,
My doctor says that new tests are available for RA and would I wait for them to be available, not having much time with him, I didn't get to ask when and why. helpline didn't know either, any suggestions? I haven't made the appointment for blood test yet. I bet someone here knows!!!!

8) Its a grin, honest!

Comments

  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,880
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Airwave
    I don't know, but I want to know....
    If you find out will you let me know...
    Ta!
    Toni x
  • colinone
    colinone Member Posts: 1,039
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Yes i read on the net there is a new type of test for arthur and its said to be good but dont know much about it
    Colin
  • soozyquoo
    soozyquoo Member Posts: 28
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Yeah when I went to hospital on Monday and saw the consultant he said there was a new trial going on, but I wasnt in line for it because I had to see surgeon for a new knee!
  • fossillady
    fossillady Member Posts: 37
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi,

    I came across these sites which give information about anti-CCP antibody testing and think it maybe what your doctor mentioned. Sounds interesting and hopefully there will be more information available soon.

    Marie x


    http://www.axis-shield.com/index.cfm?action=newsdetail&newsid=189

    also

    http://www.labtestsonline.org.uk/understanding/analytes/ccp/sample.html
  • airwave
    airwave Member Posts: 579
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    fossillady wrote:
    Hi,

    I came across these sites which give information about anti-CCP antibody testing and think it maybe what your doctor mentioned. Sounds interesting and hopefully there will be more information available soon.

    Marie x


    http://www.axis-shield.com/index.cfm?action=newsdetail&newsid=189

    also

    http://www.labtestsonline.org.uk/understanding/analytes/ccp/sample.html

    Thanks Marie,
    I've saved the links and will chase them up.
    8) Its a grin, honest!
  • averyniceman
    averyniceman Member Posts: 75
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    airwave wrote:
    Hi All,
    My doctor says that new tests are available for RA and would I wait for them to be available, not having much time with him, I didn't get to ask when and why. helpline didn't know either, any suggestions? I haven't made the appointment for blood test yet. I bet someone here knows!!!!

    8) Its a grin, honest!

    If it's not obvious that you've got RA, but you're showing some symptoms, then if you're CCP +ve they can diagnose RA. Pretty well everyone who is CCP+ve develops RA.

    And they should treat the disease really aggressively. The prognosis is poor for CCP+ve patients, but there seems to be a window of opportunity to reduce erosion if they can control the disease in its early stages. That means Methotrexate and Sulphafalazine and Anti-TNF early on if necessary.

    If it is CCP tests that your doctor is refering to, the thing I don't understand is why you should wait – they can send the blood samples off to a lab straight away.

    I may be in this position myself -- I have some but not all the symptoms of RA. And I'm waiting -- in tenterhooks -- the result of a CCP test.
  • airwave
    airwave Member Posts: 579
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    averyniceman wrote:
    airwave wrote:
    Hi All,
    My doctor says that new tests are available for RA and would I wait for them to be available, not having much time with him, I didn't get to ask when and why. helpline didn't know either, any suggestions? I haven't made the appointment for blood test yet. I bet someone here knows!!!!

    8) Its a grin, honest!

    If it's not obvious that you've got RA, but you're showing some symptoms, then if you're CCP +ve they can diagnose RA. Pretty well everyone who is CCP+ve develops RA.

    And they should treat the disease really aggressively. The prognosis is poor for CCP+ve patients, but there seems to be a window of opportunity to reduce erosion if they can control the disease in its early stages. That means Methotrexate and Sulphafalazine and Anti-TNF early on if necessary.

    If it is CCP tests that your doctor is refering to, the thing I don't understand is why you should wait – they can send the blood samples off to a lab straight away.

    I may be in this position myself -- I have some but not all the symptoms of RA. And I'm waiting -- in tenterhooks -- the result of a CCP test.

    I'll let you know what happens, just managed to get a date for the bloodtest.

    8) Its a grin, honest!
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,880
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Aha Airwave
    Well done and do let us know the outcome!
    Toni x
  • munglebungle
    munglebungle Member Posts: 30
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    airwave wrote:
    Hi All,
    My doctor says that new tests are available for RA and would I wait for them to be available, not having much time with him, I didn't get to ask when and why. helpline didn't know either, any suggestions? I haven't made the appointment for blood test yet. I bet someone here knows!!!!

    8) Its a grin, honest!

    Hi Airwave

    I am very much like 'averyniceman' as have some but not all RA symptoms. I had the anti-ccp blood test 1 year ago and was positive for this. I am currently on Mtx and Sulfasalaxine.

    If the test is available in your area, push for it.

    Good luck

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