3 years ago I had surgery on my nose for a hole in the cartlige between the nostrils, so doctors wanted to know the reason for the hole. Blood results were an RA of 232 which doctors said was very high. Rheumatologist said no symptons, probably a false positive. One year later I had pain in both wrists shooting up to elbow, shooting up to both shoulders and shooting to clavical. 3 Months went by in pain, but Rh Doctor could not see me for 4 months, by the time I went I felt better, but new blood work revealed a 255 RA Factor. Doctor gave me Naproxin to take if I am in pain again. This has helped alot. I have flair ups quite often, but I just take the naproxen, but Doctor said with such a high RA factor if i had rh arthritis I would have severe symptoms. Could I have Rh arthrtis?

I have Anemia due to my RA. How low dose the numbers have to go before I should do any thing about it and is there any thing that can be done for it?

I am 42 yrs old and I woke up one morning 2 years ago and could not bend my fingers and my ankles, it only lasted a few minutes and never longer but also developed pericarditis..there is debate among my doctors whether or not I have sero-negative RA. I have been treated with Methotrexate and Humira (1 yr), but the symptoms always came back (only in fingers though) and then they would increase my methotrexate again and I’d be fine only to have symptoms in hands come back. I went off Metho due to side effects and then during an illness stopped the Humira… I have not taken any medicine for 9 weeks and feel the same as when I was on all the meds and no worse…My doctor wants me back on Humira but I feel that if I my symptoms are no worse off the drugs than on and my sed rate is staying between 17 to 21 and 2 years later still no antibodies or RF that I maybe be able to stay off medicine and not experiance joint damage? Do severity of symptoms correlate with disease activity (specifically joint damage)? meaning less symptoms less damage and visa versa.

What is the reason for vasculitis associated with RA ??? what are other diseases related to the pathophysiology of RA ???

To me a flare is when I can’t get out of bed because I can’t walk, can’t dress myself and crying in pain. I have pain and stiffness every day that stops me from doing somethings. I would love to be pain free. I think that some pain is normal when you have RA. What is considered a flare? Is just an increase in pain and swelling considered a flare. If that is the case that happens to me atleast once a week.

I work full time and almost every day go for a 30 minute walk. My RA is still very active. Should I not go for so many walks or go a shorter distance? Should I try another typ of execise? Can doing to much cause damage to my joint and cause my RA to become worse? How can I tell when I am getting enough exercise without over doing it?