RA Diagnosis

RA is never a clear cut diagnosis. It is diagnosed using a combination of blood work and physical examination. Actually both parts are necessary for a rheumatologist to make an accurate assessment. Unfortunately for your own safety we never second guess a doctors opinion. I might suggest that if you are unhappy with the opinion of your rheumatologist, it is appropriate to ask why not. The rheumatologist will likely give you a clear understanding about what they are seeing.


Additionally it is always acceptable to change your rheumatologist. I know that is difficult in many places, but to find a the right fit it may be worth it.


I wish you the very best. I know this is difficult, but persistence is often very important to find the best result.

I learned from personal experience how frustrating it was when a Rheumatologist didn't see me and my symptoms. She liked to say "I disagree with your symptoms" WTH does that mean? However, she eventually ordered a hand ultrasound that was diagnostic for Rheumatoid Arthritis. US show can show active synovitis. I took that info to a Rheumatologist who believed me and I grew to believe in. Just a few short weeks after the first Rheum denied my symptoms, the second diagnosed and started to treat my witth Moderate-Severe RA. Perhaps speak with your doc about a diagnostic Ultra Sound? Best Wishes for an Accurate Diagnosis and Hope for Successful Treatment, Jo

Hi . Mind if I ask if your doctor has done any other diagnostic blood work? I ask because, on top of the information already provided along these lines, I want to note that rheumatoid factor is not completely reliable and can have false positives. In fact, as mentioned in this article from Duke Health "Cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP)laboratory testing is typically more accurate for rheumatoid arthritis than the older rheumatoid factor (RF) test:" https://physicians.dukehealth.org/articles/accuracy-rheumatoid-arthritis-testing-can-improve-diagnosis-lower-costs. Also, is the treatment you are on controlling your symptoms and has your doctor mentioned other conditions they believe could be causing your issues/symptoms? Sometimes with autoimmune conditions treatments can overlap and the important aspect is to control the disease, whatever that may be. Hoping you do get some answers and disease control. Wishing you the best. Richard (RheumatoidArthritis.net Team)

Rheumatology is very controversial. While the majority of Rheumatologists believe it is an autoimmune disease with no cure, there are quite a few with opposing view, who believe and have actually cured several RA patients, usually with near 100% success. They believe the root cause of RA is gut dysbiosis which can be treated with appropriate diet change preceded by a short fasting/detox regime. The most spectacular success rate is claimed by (unrefuted) by a German clinic Wilhelmi Buchinger which also has a clinic in Spain. The claim is curing more than 250,000 RA and diabetes patients over 50 years.


In the US, the book written by Dr. Giraud Campbell shows a simplified protocol that many users say they have achieved complete remission in a short time. I personally followed that protocol and was pain free in less than a week and has remained pain free for over 25 years. Amazingly, less than 5% of sufferers are aware of those protocols.
Gut dysbiosis is best explained in a book by Dr. Susan Blum "Healing Arthritis" and a companion book "Immune system recovery plan".


It seems that the biggest stumbling block to curing RA is the misinformation that it is incurable. This applies to type 2 diabetes which which the German clinic cures in about 3 to 4 weeks.