I am seronegative. I was dx based on symptoms of hand, hip, and knee pain. My first flare was severe. I couldn't walk or stand up straight for a week. My muscles were extremely fatigued resulting in a few falls. I was first ruled out for MS and myasthenia. At first I was angry because I just wanted a diagnosis. I was scared and in desperate need of treatment. Looking back, I am grateful that it wasn't something worse.

I had fatigue, fever symptoms, and bilateral hand, shoulder pain for over a year. I finally had to switch MDs to get an answer. Was sent to Rheumatologist, then blood work was positive, RA factor positive.

I started out at a podiatrist for ball of foot pain and my toes going a bit wackadoodle. He sent me for blood work to test for RA, which I thought was just a formality; I couldn't have something like that! Well, blood tests came back positive, and next thing I know I'm getting a call to schedule an appointment with a rheumatologist. It really blindsided me. I've had various aches and pains, but put it down to my weight and my age. Still having trouble accepting this condition.

Blood test and many years prior to test of misdiagnosis. When I was finally diagnosed it was almost a relief because I thought I was some hypochondriac making stuff all the pain and weird illnesses up. I also had no idea what my autoimmune disease(s) meant.