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A myRAteam Member asked a question 💭
Asheville, NC
November 12, 2021
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Answer Summary

Members reassured someone questioning their RA diagnosis despite normal blood tests by sharing that seronegative RA, where standard markers... Read more

Members reassured someone questioning their RA diagnosis despite normal blood tests by sharing that seronegative RA, where standard markers like RF and anti-CCP are negative, is a real and recognized form of the disease that can be diagnosed through imaging such as ultrasounds, X-rays, and MRIs showing inflammation or bone erosion. Several members described their own frustrating journeys of living with severe pain while blood work repeatedly came back normal, with diagnoses eventually confirmed by rheumatologists using imaging and clinical evaluation rather than lab results alone. A recurring theme was validation and hope, with many members emphasizing that finding the right medication, whether Xeljanz, Humira, Orencia, or biologics, made a meaningful difference in their symptoms and ultimately confirmed their diagnosis, even when blood tests never showed abnormalities.

A myRAteam Member

Same here. Everything normal including inflammation markers. I feel like I'm losing my mind every time the tests are normal but the pain is excruciating.

November 13, 2021
A myRAteam Member

I had hand and arm pain for 1.5, almost had carpal tunnel surgery because doc kept saying its CT. It was neurologist who said its not carpal tunnel and referred to rheumatologist. All my tests my my doc were normal for 1 & half years. It was agony. Rheumatologist concluded it RA despite all the negative and normal tests. Seronegative he called it.. im guessing you sound like the same. Much love xxx

November 12, 2021
A myRAteam Member

I was negative for all. Diagnosed by rheumatologist who used ultrasound to see the inflammation.

November 12, 2021
A myRAteam Member

My blood work came back normal but my MRI showed infflamation. I have wondered myself if I really have RA. My doctor diognosed it as seronegitive RA. We are still trying to find the right meds. that work and do not give me negitive results. I have just started orencia. I am really hopeful that it will work.

December 19, 2021
A myRAteam Member

I have sero-negative RA. All of my blood work shows no inflammation, no RA marker. I was diagnosed through MRI's. I have bone erosion in both wrists. After 2 years, my blood work still shows as normal. Luckily I was referred to a rheumatologist pretty quickly. I questioned my diagnosis up until the time I took a new medication (I started on Plaquenil and Sulfasalizine but still had pain and stiffness). So, I began Xeljanz and that totally made a difference. That's when I came to terms with my diagnosis. Now, I am switching to Humira since Xeljanz had a new warning come out with some pretty serious side effects. I just had my first injection, so I shall see.
Good luck to you!

December 13, 2021

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