Elevated RA Factor....what happens next??

We are glad that you have found our site too karmacola and sorry to hear you have been feeling unwell for some time. While getting a definitive RA diagnosis can be frustrating, meeting with a Rheumatologist is the best bet. Sorry it will take months to see him/her. I hope that in the meantime you can research some ways to help manage your symptoms. What symptoms are you expereincing.
I know you posted a question in our Q&A and I hope that the support others offered you was helpful!

Please reach out to us anytime and keep us posted on your progress.
Best,
Lauren (RheumatoidArthritis.net Team)

I have been experiencing extreme fatigue, lack of sleep, morning in stiffness in my hands and also in my ankles/feet. I also have an intolerance to heat and cold weather. Simple tasks like pushing a grocery cart, holding my hair dryer and helping to the my children's shoes have become laborious and painful. Everyday things that I used to do have also become challenging as I become so tired easily and experience pain. It's almost like my body feels like it weighs 1000 pounds. I am overweight which does not help matters but I have always considered myself active. For years I have been told that my weight was my problem but I always knew it was more than that. I have dieted and exercised and still felt like I constantly have a case of the flu. My current PCP has been great and really listens. She ordered lots of labs but did not order the Sed Rate or CCP tests. She is waiting for the Rheumatologist to follow up. My hands do get swollen and ache and my RA turbid test was 17.8 which is not very high. I have an appointment with my PCP to have her go over my results better as I am not sure if RA is the answer to a long and exhausting journey about my health situation. I finally have an appointment with the Rheumatologist in October so I am thankful for that. I just need answers. I'm tired of feeling like I'm crazy when I know I'm not. I have three young children and a demanding career. I need to feel better. So many people depend on me. An answer will at least give me a place to start and so many people here in this site have been great to respond and share experiences and for that I am grateful. It feels so good to know that I am not alone. My family doesn't understand and don't fully believe that something is wrong. I feel very alone in this and when you also feel so tired and sore it doesn't help ones state of mind. Thank you for your response Lauren and I hope I answered the question about my symptoms. In honesty I probably vented more than responded....even so, it just feels good to have a place where I can do that too.

I could have written this post right down to having my first appointment with a rheumatologist in October. My GP diagnosed me in July :/ She said that based on the results of my RA factor test and my SED rate test along with my bilateral swelling and pain. I too have the fatigue and the general unwellness along with severe depression (I'm on a variety of antidepressant including Cymbalta which helps with pain as well).

Update: went to my PCP Friday as I was feeling quiteunwell. She gave my a steroid shot help help me feel better, and I will admit it sis over the weekend, thank goodness! She also repeated some labs and added the Sed Rate and CCP test as well. My DR admitted that she was shocked the my initial labs showed a postive RA result of 17.8 as she was confident that my ANA would be positive because I do exhibit the classic "Butterfly Rash" associated with Lupus. Well labs came back this morning and my Sed Rate was normal, my CCP was normal and my ANA continues to be negative. My RA Factor did increase slightly to 18.7. My appointment with the Rheumatologist is October. I continue to be anxious about this appointment. I was surprised that my CCP was not elevated and now wonder if it's RA at all? I don't want to have RA or Lupus or anything else for that matter, but I know how I feel and I feel bad. I know my body and something just isn't right......if it's not RA then what could cause a positive RA factor? I've read that a few other conditions can cause hat result but none of them really seem to match my symptoms. This process of diagnosis is physically and emotionally exhausting..... continuing to pray that I will get the answers soon.