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Newly diagnosis,need advice

Hi,
About 2 months ago, my wife felt some swell on the fingers between the palm and the knuckles. The swell are not on the joints and there was no pain. She asked the doctor in her physical exam and the doctor said it looked a little puffy and took some blood for test. the result came back, the RA factor was 31 and ESR was 61. The doctor refered my wife to a specialist. Two weeks ago, my wife saw the specialist. She examined all the joints and said everything was fine. She took some blood and send my wife home. Last week, she called my wife and told my wife the blood work results is positive and she will prescribe a medicine for my wife. She said the medicine will take several weeks to work and there is side effect for the eyes. We haven't pick up the prescription yet, so I don't know the name of the medicine. I have no experience and feel so worry., I have 3 questions and hope someone can help
1. My wife still has no pain or swollen on any joint yet. Do we need any symptoms appear before we can diagnosis it as Ra? Will the blood work false positive or cause by other things?
2. Should we wait for some symptoms before we start medication?
3.Since my wife already taking blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes pills, we worry about the drug interaction, any body has this situation?

  1. peter25,

    Thanks for reaching out to us. We are sorry to hear about your wife's diagnosis. She is so lucky to have such an incredible husband. We understand how worried you are and here not only to support you but your wife as well.
    I am hoping the community will chime in with support as well.
    While we cannot offer treatment and medical advice via the internet (for your safety) we encourage you to talk to a rheumatologist about taking the medications that she is taking when she isn't experiencing these RA symptoms.

    It thought this article might be helpful: https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/ra-testing-diagnosis/

    Please check back with us and let us know how your wife is doing. We are glad to have you here and please do reach out anytime.

    Best,
    Lauren (RheumatoidArthritis.net Team)

    Please read our rules before posting.