Elderly Onset Rheumatoid Arthritis
Many see rheumatoid arthritis as a disease affecting someone around 30-45 years old. Another variation is developing RA as a senior where the disease is severe making up for those missed earlier years.
All posts tagged: Diagnosis
Rheumatoid arthritis classification criteria 2010
An international test evaluation for RA. I scored 7 and I am RF negative. 2010 Rheumatoid Arthritis Classification THE 2010 ACR-EULAR CLASSIFICATION CRITERIA FOR RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS Score Target population (Who should be tested?): Patients who have at least 1 joint with definite clinical synovitis (swelling)* with the synovitis not better explained by another disease†Classification criteria for RA (score-based algorithm: add score of categories A – D; a score of ≥6/10 is needed for classification of a patient as having definite RA)‡ A. Joint involvement § 1 large joint¶ 0 2-10 large joints 1 1-3 small joints (with or without involvement of large joints)# 2 4-10 small joints (with or without involvement of large joints) 3 >10 joints (at least 1 small joint)** 5 B. Serology (at least 1 test result is needed for classification)††Negative RF and negative ACPA 0 Low-positive RF or low-positive ACPA 2 High-positive …
RA Labs
RA labs are important to diagnose RA and to manage drug use.
A few symptoms of RA
The only certain thing about Rheumatoid Arthritis is its unpredictable nature. It affects each of us differently and our response to treatment is also unique. It is a disease that is considered hard to diagnose. The one who can do it most efficiently is a rheumatologist. Characteristic of RA is small joint involvement. That is why the joints of the fingers, hands, toes, feet, wrists are frequently affected. Also characteristic of RA is bilateral involvement. That is why the middle finger of the left hand and the middle finger of the right hand might be involved. Bilateral. Both feet. Both hands. Both ankles. I had problems with my feet for a long time. My primary doctor thought I was too old to have RA. Treatment was delayed and now I have foot damage. I have a hard time walking. When my RA became extremely acute, the pain started in my left shoulder. Soon both hands as well as both feet were affected. And on it goes to most of the joints in my body. How …
How the docs diagnose RA
The course of RA is unique to each of us. My RA announced itself to me as big and boisterous. Initially, I had sharp pain in my left shoulder. I thought it was from swimming as shoulders do get a workout in lap swimming. Quickly hands, fingers, wrists, ankles, feet and toes joined in. I was in total pain and largely incapacitated. I sought salvation to my problem in the ER, the only solution at the time. In 2010 the American College of Rheumatology(ACR) and the European League Against Rheumatism(EULAR) formed a working group to replace the 1987 ACR classification criteria for RA with up to date classification criteria. RA is at its most destructive in the first 2 years. It needs to be caught early and treated aggressively. The 2010 Rheumatoid Arthritis Classification Criteria became a big diagnostic help. The group came up with a 10 point system that covers four RA categories: joint involvement, serology, acute-phase reactants, duration of symptoms. The target population for this scoring must be patients who have at least …
Yep, RA is progressive
During the treatments for my cancers, my RA was uneventful. Yes, I did have monthly flares that lasted just about 12 days. Yes, I was always in a simmering level of pain. I grinned and bore it like a good Irish Catholic girl. Instead, I focused on surgery, radiation and life changing drugs. I even completed a cancer rehab program. One day as I was starting a Zumba class, my ankles screamed in a pain that was the equivalent of trying to dance on joints full of shattered glass. Determined, I tried moving my feet differently (how many ways can you move your feet, you might ask). After 10 seconds, I realized that it was futile. I stopped. Since then, it has been downhill. It was a steep hill, I might add. Although I am on Methotrexate (a life saver for me), Plaquenil, (Sulfasalazine did not work for me), meloxicam, prednisone and all the supporting drugs, I am still progressing. All the little joints in my feet and my ankles are inflamed and …
Thyroid CA next step
Monday I visited my surgeon. She had my pathology report. I like to see her. She has so much positive energy. She is knowledgeable. She is very helpful. My cancer was not encapsulated and was within a mm of the border. not sure about this.My cancer was also in my lymph glands. So I will have a radioactive treatment. Next stop today was my endocrinologist. The radioactive treatment is complicated. Prep work is detailed and takes time. I will have to become extremely hypo active. I will be on a low iodine diet. There is an injection called Thyroglobulin that costs $2500 that would cut the prep work to a much smaller time. My insurance will pay $1600 of it. I certainly am not able to pay the rest. In addition there will be the cost of the full body scan, $300 under my plan. The drug company has an application for assistance. I filled it out and gave it to my Doc and she will give it to the person who will be getting authorizations. …
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