Question
I had a possible Rhuematoid flare last March. I was never diagnosed and was left with the advice to wait and see if anything happens again. I have been taking vitamins, but no meds and haven’t had a flare since the first one went down last April, which has been over a year. What are the chances that I have RA. My sed level and Rhuematoid count were high, but I tested negative for the antibodies. I am thinking of having another child, but don’t want to if I am going to have a disabling disease. My other doctor told me I would flare again within 8 months if it was RA and not a virus.
Answer
Most individuals with RA have continuous joint pain. But, RA starts in a small proportion (less than 5%) of individuals with short bursts of joint pain and pain-free period in between. An elevated sedimentation rate and positive rheumatoid factor make the diagnosis of RA much more likely, and I would agree that another attack would seal the diagnosis and should prompt treatment. Many young women with RA lead very normal lives and have children without difficulty, so pregnancy is certainly not out of the realm of possibilities.
