[sujunew]

I'm hoping someone in the community can help me a bit- I'm confused! 4yrs ago I was diagnosed through a blood test as having rheumatoid arthritis and was given pain medication. Subsequent blood tests showed that the rheumatoid levels had gone down, but the dr said I still 'had it'. I went to my (new) dr last week with a terribly sore knee thinking it was a return of the arthritis having been fine for a couple of yrs. Turns out I have sprained my knee (lol) and she is questioning the 1st drs dx, saying that an illness or 'glitch' in me made the rhematoid levels go up for a while. I am waiting on my latest blood-test results before I go back to see her, then I will talk more to her then but for now I am just confused as to how I could be dxed with a +ve blood test, have the pain and symptoms associated, and now it may have been an illness or 'glitch'?!?!...(The rhematoid levels stayed elevated for 1-2 years, and I haven't been tested for 1-2 years til last week). DID I have it? Or didn't I?

[Perna]

It could have just been some other chronic virus going on. Doctors don't know what causes rheumatoid arthritis so often can't really know what's going on in the beginning?
I suspect that since nothing has "happened" in the 1-2 years with the elevated levels, that does look a little suspicious, the arthritis should be eating away at things?

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/rhe...020/DSECTION=6

[SeptemberMorn]

I would tend to believe that you did have it. I don't have rheumatic arthritis, just the oesteo kind, but my blood levels fluctuate. It may have something to do with your kidney function. You may find something out with these new blood tests.

Instead of worrying, just be glad that your blood tests are coming out better.

[Rhapsody]

RA - can go in remission just like cancer does, therefore, it is possible to show signs of it for years and then no signs for many more years - then it can even return.

I have been dealing with severe RA for the last 11 years and some form of arthirits since I was 12 years old... I am 40 years old now.

[sujunew]

thank you perna, septemberMorn and Rhapsody.
Thanks perna for the link- I have learnt a lot in just a few minutes!
I can't wait for the test results, just so I can get some definite answers either way...Interesting what you said Rhapsody it going into remission. That could be possible with me. About 10 years ago my medical specialist was going to refer me to a rheumatologist but then I moved and it never got followed up. I don't know if the referral was as a result of blood tests or just for the constant severe pain I was in...More confusion (well, unanswered questions)!!!!!
But thanks for the insights...