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I recently had some blood tests done for RA. They came back negative,although I have all of the symptoms. My Doctor told me that it must be Fibromyalgia, and suggested I take Motrin and do certain exercises. It's been almost one month and I don't feel any better. I'm wondering if there are any other tests that can be done. The symptoms are scaring me, and there seems to be no answer. Thank you in advance for any help. Cate
Have you seen a rheumatologist? fibromyalgia and RA are in the same family of diseases and symptoms are not always cut and dried. I've never once in my 29 years of having RA had an elevated SED rate and I don't have a positive rheumatoid factor. They aren't absolute requirements for having RA or other rheumatic diseases.
If motrin isn't helping, then I'd try talking to your doctor again or getting a referral to another specialist.
Thanks for your response! Hearing from someone with your experiences has really helped. I'm going to call my Doctor and get a referral for a rheumatologist. I really need some answers.
Thanks again so very much. I wish you good health.
Hey Cate. I am an internal medicine doctor at the University of Southern California... I read your story and wanted to tell you to get on a new website i am an advisor on and I think you can find many people with your SAME story and some solutions...we have physicians other than myself online as well. You can join the fibro and RA communitites...and any others as you would be a great contribution check it out and tell us what you think www.dailystrength.org Dr Orrange
Thanks Dr. O for the link to your site! (Apologies for taking so long to respond.) I went to the rhematologist just this afternoon. He has ordered a myriad of labtests, and wrote a perscription for VoltarenXR, for inflammation. (I have had osteoarthritis for years.) He's thinking not so much RA, as Lupus. I'll be glad when the labs come back, and hopefully have some answers. Thanks again for the info, and I'll be registering at your site. It looks very helpful and informative.
