In agony but test results only weakly positive

Hi there,

After waiting over a year to see a Rheumatologist I have been told that I have no abnormalities of the hands and feet, a negative anti-CCP antibody test and a weakly positive rheumatoid factor antibody. My issue in being diagnosed with mild rheumatoid arthritis is that during periods of lengthy flare ups I was in complete agony and can only described the pain as like having both my arms twisted up my back. I couldn't use a knife or fork, butter a sandwich, or provide for my own personal care during flare ups, let alone work or sleep. I have been left with a limited range of movement in my arms and yet it seems because I had little inflammation that I am categorised as being on the very mild scale.

This leaves me with a sense of doom that if this is how bad the pain is when it is mild how much worse does it get when the condition worsens. Also it leaves me feeling like the amount of pain I was in is just not reflected in my result and so therefore like I am a bit of a hypochondriac in the view of the medical professionals. I am however now receiving medication for the condition (hydroxychloroquine and amitriptyline) along with physiotherapy which seems to be helping. I just need some reassurance in terms of why these test results are not reflective of the pain I have been experiencing.

Many thanks

Jenny