What does Seronegative Rheumatoid Arthritis mean?

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system attacks the joints and connective tissue, causing pain and inflammation. 

It can be a very mild disease, or it can be completely crippling and debilitating.  Usually it progresses over time.  

Up to one third of people who suffer severe rheumatoid arthritis will be unable to work after three years.

Usually in rheumatoid arthritis, there are markers in the blood that show disease activity.  If a doctor suspects RA, they will check for RA Factor and Anti-CCP which are autoantibodies that are indicative of Rheumatoid Arthritis.

They are not diagnostic on their own, however.  Many people have a positive RA factor but have no signs or symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Conversely, many people have Rheumatoid Arthritis but do not have RA factor in their blood.  This is also true for Anti-CCP, which is considered a more specific test.

Up to 30% of patients have completely clear blood work, yet x-rays show conclusively that they have rheumatoid arthritis.  This is part of the reason why rheumatoid arthritis is so hard to diagnose early.

These people are referred to as having Seronegative Rheumatoid Arthritis.

There is a prevailing assumption that seronegative rheumatoid arthritis generally follows a milder course.  While this may be true for some, it is certainly not true for all.  Some patients with seronegative arthritis still suffer joint damage and destruction that is just as severe as seropositive patients.

What does Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain feel like?

I don't get asked this very often, and I think that's a sign of how little awareness there is of Rheumatoid Arthritis.  People don't ask me, because they think they already know.  What they think they know is that rheumatoid arthritis is a disease of mild aches and pains in your hands and feet.

Admittedly, this is true for some people.  Its possible to meet the diagnostic criteria for rheumatoid arthritis with mild disease, if you are RF positive.

But for every person who experiences just mild aches and pains, there is another who is completely crippled by pain and fatigue.  Severe pain.

What does rheumatoid arthritis pain feel like?  That link describes it pretty well. So take the time to read it.

But it depends.  Some people experience burning, hot pain.  Their joints are swollen and tender, and visibly red.  For others there is no outward sign at all.

I've heard the pain described as a deep aching, stabbing, shooting, or painful pins and needles.  I've also heard it said that walking on arthritic feet is like walking on marbles.  Or over hot coals.  Other people say it feels like you've already walked 20 miles.

Each person is different, and the pain varies from day to day, and from joint to joint.

Rheumatoid Arthritis can affect any synovial joint in the body.  Some rheumatologists will say things like 'rheumatoid arthritis cannot affect the lower spine' but people who suffer the disease beg to differ! 

Depending on the joint, and the severity, the pain can vary wildly.  The pain in my hands often feels like I have shackles on...my arms are heavy, my fingers won't move, and my wrists burn.  Resting doesn't help, using them doesn't help.  Nothing really helps.

Medications may take the edge off, but many people who suffer RA are never pain free.  Just the severity varies.