Simple blood test 'could help predict rheumatoid arthritis years before symptoms appear'

[steven johnson]

Here is a preemptive blood test, like the PSA for prostate cancer, which might be able to predict rheumatoid arthritis.

Scientists have found higher levels of certain proteins, part of a group called cytokines and secreted by immune system cells, in the blood several years before patient’s symptoms develop.

These proteins are known to be heightened when patients suffer from the full-blown disease and treatments which tackle them have been effective, but scientists said that it was significant that thera'"e were raised years before patients developed any pain.

Simple blood test 'could help predict rheumatoid arthritis years before symptoms appear'

[napi21]

1. I didn't read the link, but is there anything that can be done about

RA? I don't mean to throw cold water on the discovery. That's a good thing, but if nothing can be done I wouldn't want to know!

[lazer47]

2. you can only live with it, there is no Cure,,,I live with it,

it takes a lot of drugs including in my case Enbril once a week

[napi21]

3. Would it have been better if you had know sooner? I honestly don't know.

There are some things that I know I could get & I just don't want to know. I don't want to spend my life on a bunch of drugs and feeling like "S" most of the time. I'd rather just croak.

[lazer47]

4. In theory I agree, if you have true RA, you cannot conceive the pain

and the damage if it is untreated, it is an immune system disease, and it can attack any organ in the body, especially the lungs and liver, I'm tuff as nails but it brought me to my knees,, and I was glad to get the drugs

[tango-tee]

7. I show all symptoms of RA, but...

...the result of the blood work was negative! Now what?

I had a thorough physical done last week. Excellent blood pressure, blood sugar normal, urine sample normal, the special RA factor negative - everything normal.

There is stiffness in my hands and wrists in the morning, which improves during the day. I also have tremendous pain in my right foot. And only this morning I noticed that my left foot is suddenly showing symptoms as well.

This is not good news, since my husband's right leg was amputated last year, and his prosthesis gives him terrible backaches if he stands on it for any amount of time. So DH depends on me for grocery shopping, doing laundry, cleaning house, etc. He is retired already, but I still need to work full time for the next seven years before I can retire with full retirement benefits.

I have no idea what to do and would like to hear from fellow sufferers if they have had good experiences with changing their diet, or taking particular vitamins (the B-vitamin complex, vitamins C and E, or fish oil capsules, for example).

I would very much appreciate it, if you could share what you have learned.

Thanks!

[lazer47]

8. The great Mimic is Fibromalisia,,,,,, what was your specific RA number

anything above 86 is Rheumatoid,,,, Most Gps and Internist will miss, and regular MDs also will miss Rheumatoid, it is an autoimmune disease, not just arthritis,, it has nothing to do with vitamins or diet or even arthritis,,, Get checked by a Board Certified Rheumatologist,,,,,,

[tango-tee]

9. Thanks!

I don't even know my RA number - doc didn't tell me. Seems I'll have to go to a rheumatologist after all.

All the best to you!

[schmuls]

5. My husband died of it, so to speak. He was on multiple drugs,

for RA and heart disease, blood pressure, etc. He had the disease in his blood, so he would get pus infections and they would open up and then never completely heal. He was in the hospital countless times, using drugs to clear the blood infections. I nursed him for several days when he got intense pain in his shoulders and neck. He was brought to the hospital on a Thursday, and was dead early on Saturday morning. I think the drugs just ruined his organs. The autopsy was inconclusive.

[becxx]

6. Research shows vitamin B6 helps with arthritis

Hi,

It is interesting that studies show a simple thing like keeping one's vitamin b6 level at the high end of the normal range can solve and help prevent arthritis. One needs to be careful with vitamin b6, however. It is easy to get too much if you take supplements. If you eat things like bananas, potatoes, lentils, etc., you will get enough b6 naturally. If you do not, you need supplements but it is easy to overdose and overdoses do lead to some neurological problems (e.g., pins and needs sensation in the feet and toes).

I had my b6 tested by the doc. Sure enough it was on the low end. I started getting more b6 and my arthritis almost completely disappeared. I took too much supplement, however, and ended up with too much b6. So, if you are going to take b6 supplements work with your doctor and have your level testing until you find the does that is right for you. I take a mere one 50 mg tablet once a month now to keep my at the right level. The RDA is only 2 mg.