Can you have rheumatoid arthritis and not know it?
Can you have rheumatoid arthritis and not know it?
Rheumatoid arthritis is often called a “silent disease.” Why? Unlike many other illnesses, you can’t always tell when a person with RA is feeling their worst. That’s just one of the things people with the condition want you to know, whether you’re newly diagnosed with RA or someone close to you has it.
What to do if you suspect you have rheumatoid arthritis?
If symptoms persist, consult with your doctor. If you have symptoms beyond pain, such as warmth, redness, and swelling around a joint, see your doctor sooner rather than later. Also, pay attention to details because it will help your doctor diagnose and treat your condition.
How to find out if you have rheumatoid arthritis?
After conducting a physical examination and ordering a blood test and X-rays, the rheumatologist gives you a diagnosis: You have rheumatoid arthritis. Although you’re not exactly sure what RA is, you’ve certainly heard of arthritis and know that folks who have it complain of pain and stiffness in their joints.
Can a doctor misdiagnose a patient with rheumatoid arthritis?
Doctors must consider a patient’s medical history, current symptoms, blood test results, and imaging studies to formulate a diagnosis. Even with that information, the clinical picture may not be as clear as you or your doctor would like, and it is possible that misdiagnosis may occur.
Who is the best rheumatologist to diagnose Ra?
Scott J. Zashin, MD, a rheumatologist based in Dallas, explains how RA can seem difficult to diagnose. “When patients present with signs and symptoms of an inflammatory arthritis (such as morning stiffness in the hands and feet, and swollen joints) and have a positive rheumatoid factor (RF) or anti-CCP antibody, the diagnosis is very clear.
How long does it take a doctor to diagnose Ra?
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Diagnosis. RA is a problem with your immune system. If you don’t diagnose and treat it in time, it could harm your joints. Most people with RA do have some sort of joint damage. Most of it happens in the first 2 years. Your regular doctor may order blood tests and X-rays to help confirm a diagnosis.
Can a person still be diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis?
Doctors look at multiple other criteria besides blood test results when determining their diagnosis. In some cases, patients can still be diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis even if they don’t test positive for the various types of antibodies found in rheumatoid arthritis blood tests.
How can you tell if you have rheumatoid arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease. Antibodies produced by the body’s immune system attack joint tissues, causing pain, swelling and stiffness in multiple joints. These antibodies, called rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-CCP antibodies, are detectable in blood tests and help to diagnose RA.
Can a person with Ra not have seronegative rheumatoid arthritis?
However, up to 20% of people with RA have a form of the disease that doesn’t show up in blood tests— seronegative rheumatoid arthritis. In the past, doctors thought that seronegative RA was a milder form of regular (seropositive) RA. It may be that patients with seronegative aren’t producing enough antibodies to show up in current blood tests.
Scott J. Zashin, MD, a rheumatologist based in Dallas, explains how RA can seem difficult to diagnose. “When patients present with signs and symptoms of an inflammatory arthritis (such as morning stiffness in the hands and feet, and swollen joints) and have a positive rheumatoid factor (RF) or anti-CCP antibody, the diagnosis is very clear.