Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms Don't Rule My Aud Life

When I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis in 2005, I had one blood test performed and some x-rays ordered, and at the time that was my extent of knowledge to the range of possibilities in diagnosing the disease. Learning more about RA caused me to look into the tests that are beneficial in proper diagnosis, and in turn, understanding what the tests actually did helped me understand more about the disease.

I had an Rh factor test (a simple blood test) taken which turned out to be positive. Antibodies are normal proteins found in the blood; the Rh (Rheumatoid) factor is an antibody that can bind or attach itself to other antibodies. The Rh factor isn’t usually found in normal population; however it is found in over 80% of adults who have RA.

A general CBC (Complete Blood Count) test may be ordered to measure red blood cells, their number, fraction and size; it also measures the number of white blood cells, and the amount of hemoglobin in the blood. This will the Dr an idea of there’s infection, or any other condition going on.

I’m glad I just have to type this next one out, if I tried to pronounce it I’d mess up! Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) should be called the ‘inflammation measuring test’ because that’s what it does; it measures how much inflammation is in the body.

The C - Reactive Protein test is a little trickier which measures a special type of protein produced by the liver. During a time of acute inflammation or infection the liver will secrete this protein and the CRP measures the concentration of this protein in blood serum. Although it’s not specific, a high result of the protein gives a general indication of intense inflammation and Rheumatoid Arthritis causes a large amount of inflammation, especially during flare-ups. Because it’s not specific, a high CRP rate could also be indicative of rheumatic fever, lupus, cancer, tuberculosis, heart attack or pneumonia.

This next test sounds to me more like a weapon or air craft – the HLA B27. It’s a gene marker affiliated with quite a few related rheumatic conditions. They have a few things in common such as peripheral arthritis (affects the large joints of the body) and spinal arthritis, skin and gastro-intestinal disorder, certain glaucoma, and psoriasis like skin lesions. This isn’t a usual test that A Doctor would perform because a lot of patients with this gene never develop any rheumatic symptoms.

Antinuclear Antibody (ANA) is a blood sample specimen from the patient, put onto microscope slides that have been commercially prepared with cells, to look for antinuclear antibodies. If the patient’s serum does contain the ANA, they will bind to the cells on the slide (particularly the nuclei of the cells).

A second commercially fluorescent tagged antibody is then added to the serum and prepared cells on the slide. The fluorescent antibody attaches to the serum antibodies and cells which have bound together, and when it’s viewed under an ultraviolet microscope, the ANA appear as fluorescent cells.

ANA’s are discovered in people who various autoimmune diseases, but can be also found in patients with infections, lung disease, cancer, GI diseases, hormonal disease, blood diseases, and skin diseases. Having ANA tests performed is only one factor in diagnosing RA, other factors need to be considered such as symptoms, medical history and other medical tests.

Anti-Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide Antibody (Anti-CCP) test is a fairly new test being preformed to help doctors diagnose Rheumatoid Arthritis.  It measures the citrulline antibody, and if it is a moderate to high level it not only confirms the diagnosis but also may show that the patient is at an increased risk for damage to joints.

One last test that I found was on Synovial Fluid, the thick fluid found in cartilage which reduces friction between joints and adds lubrication and cushioning during movement. Analyzing the synovial fluid helps detect markers of joint destruction, but this is not a test that is usually performed because it’s not the most comfortable test. A sterile needle is inserted into the joint space, and fluid is then aspirated into a syringe. The specimen is then analyzed in a laboratory and examined for red and white blood cells, crystals (in case of gout), and bacteria.

X-rays, ultra-sound and MRI’s are commonly performed in order to determine the possibility and extent of joint damage, in order to give doctors a better understanding of the intensity of the condition.

Initially these are the some of the first tests that are preformed especially during the diagnosis process.

While waiting for the results of my Rh factor test, I went through a roller coaster of thoughts and images in my mind. Sometimes I was optimistic, sometimes pessimistic and sometimes in complete denial. How did you feel while waiting for your results?

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Living with Rheumatoid Arthritis can make a person feel very lonely, and definitely not very glamorous. A recent little search online into celebrities suffering with RA made me feel a little less isolated and maybe not so awkward feeling. Stiff fingers and sore, aching knees don’t seem quite so painful when you can watch others live with it as well. Those with more spotlight shining on them are able to give voice to not only themselves but those who can identify with them.

 I watched “the Soprano’s” every week, and not until today did I realize that Aida Turturro, who played Tony’s sister Janice, has also been diagnosed with RA since a young girl. Now in her 40’s, she has become the spokesperson for “Joint Effort Against Arthritis,” an American arthritis awareness campaign sponsored by the Arthritis Foundation. It’s also sponsored by Centocor, a US company that makes a well-known arthritis drug, Remicade.

 I always thought James Coburn was a cool guy: tough, strong and silent with a rough cynical sense of humor. I like the late actor even more now because I’m able to identify with him and the discouragement of living with constant pain and the medical community not being able to supply any relief. Like him, I went off conventional medications like Plaquenil and Methotrexate and tried something a little unorthodox. He found deep tissue massage, electromagnetic treatments, and MSM to do the trick, I’ve found daily exercise, watching my diet, and Lyprinol (green mollusk extract) to help way more than what the doctors were prescribing me. *Just a reminder: I’m not suggesting anyone should toss their physician’s advice!!

 Way back in 1928, Lucille Ball was diagnosed at the age of 17. She was a young model at the time and was told that she would be wheel chair bound for the rest of her life, but after 2 years of barely being able to walk, with metal braces on her legs, and other medical treatments, she overcame this road block and became the television sweetheart known the world over.

 Being able to witness victories won over Rheumatoid Arthritis gives a sufferer a little more strength and encouragement to keep going. I can relate and gain from their experiences; feeling a little more inspired when the going gets tough and maybe even feeling a touch more glamorous!

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Diving back into the topic of the autoimmune disease, Lupus, I’m going to talk about the diagnosis and treatment processes that are involved. Right now, there isn’t a single test that is used to diagnosed Lupus, it’s based on a combination of results of symptoms, blood work, and the patients medical history used to discover the abnormalities in the organ systems. Urinalysis and x-rays may also be ordered to make further confirmation. Specific tests that are relevant to the diagnosis of Lupus are sedimentation rate and CRP that are used to identify inflammation, an Antinuclear antibody test, and a Complement test to detect the presence of a specific antibody or antigen.

The severity of the symptoms of Lupus will determine the type of treatment. For inflammation control, NSAID’s (NonSteroidal AntiInflammatory Drugs) are commonly prescribed for a patient. Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (DMARD’s), such as Plaquenil, is also a frequently prescribed medication to treat Lupus, along with immunosuppressants such as CellCept, cyclosprine and Imuran. Corticosteroids, such as prednisone are another option of treatment for Lupus.

As with other autoimmune diseases, there is no known cure as yet, but further tests of new treatments and discoveries are being performed and proven successful more and more each year.

So, as my title “Differences and Similarities between Lupus and Rheumatoid Arthritis” says, let’s take a quick over view of the differences and similarities. Similarities: both are autoimmune diseases with no known cure, both cause joint pain and inflammation, fatigue, inflammation affecting other organs. Treatments are similar as well with NSAID’s, DMARD’s and prednisone. Differences are mostly in the symptoms with Lupus revealing a possible tell-tale of a ‘butterfly-rash’ or malar rash on the cheeks and bridge of nose, a discoid rash- sores on the face, neck and chest, mouth sores or ulcers and a sensitivity reaction to sunlight (photosensitivity).

Before I end, something’s that I also didn’t realize before was that there 5 possible types of Lupus:

-the most common is Systemic Lupus Erythematosus involving multiple organs and the most serious

-Discoid Lupus Erythematosus involves only the skin, not other organs

-A drug induced Lupus is a reaction to specific prescription medications. The symptoms mimic SLE but it doesn’t influence the central nervous system or kidneys.

-Neonatal Lupus is an unusual disease which affects newborn babies.

-Subacute Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus seems more of a photosensitivity form of Lupus causing skin lesions to appear on parts of the body that are exposed to the sun.

One more thing, when I’ve had the privilege of meeting Mrs. Duncan, I’ve always made a point of reminding her of how much I appreciated her as a teacher and now I’ll have to tell her how much I understand the road she’s traveled, as we both live and SUCCEED with our autoimmune diseases.

Thank you Mrs. Duncan!

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When I was in second and third grade I had a wonderful teacher named Mrs. Duncan, she was a favorite and for a student who thought school was the bane of her existence, that is saying a whole lot! Just before Christmas of third grade, Mrs. Duncan became very ill and spent months away from school. We suddenly grew to appreciate her so much more when we met our naive, bland substitute teacher, who didn’t let us listen to music, read to us, or take us skating. School was once again torture and I spent most of the time day dreaming out the window.  A few weeks after Christmas break, the principal came in and told us that Mrs. Duncan had Lupus and would return as soon as she was well enough. Not understanding as an 8 year old, that word, Lupus, has always stuck in my mind and even to this day when I come across it I think of my fabulous teacher, Mrs. Duncan.

It wasn’t until I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis and began informing myself, that I became more familiar with what Lupus actually is. Short for systemic lupus erythematosus, Lupus is an autoimmune disease, which like RA, that can involve joints and organs. Like all autoimmune diseases, the body’s immune system begins to attack its own cells and connective tissue.  The actual reason a person contracts Lupus is still not completely understood but it is believed to involve genetic and environmental factors.

Sometimes it is difficult to distinguish the symptoms between RA and Lupus, they are that similar. So let’s have a closer look at what Lupus symptoms commonly are.

The symptoms of Lupus vary but usually include a ‘butterfly-shaped’ rash that appears on the cheeks and across the bridge of the nose, pain and inflammation in joints, fatigue, hair loss, inflammation of the kidney (nephritis), discoid rash which is are scaly sores appearing on the chest, face and neck, sensitivity to light, mouth sores, fever, swollen glands and possible weight loss.

1.5 million Americans are estimated to have Lupus; women are 10 times more likely to be affected than men, and for some reason African or Asian  ethnic backgrounds have a higher risk of developing this disease than any other ethnic background. Though Lupus can occur at any age, even in newborns, disease most commonly occurs between the ages of 18 and 45 years old. 

In my next post I’ll be talking about the diagnosis and treatment process of Lupus is. Please feel free to share!

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