How is Rheumatoid Arthritis Diagnosed? | Johns Hopkins Rheumatology

Sitting down and listening to a patient’s story is the first step in diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis. While swollen joints are a large indicator of Rheumatoid Arthritis, there are many other symptoms, such as fatigue, anxiety and depression, and stiffness. Doctors are diagnosing Rheumatoid Arthritis much earlier now, to prevent joint damage and begin treatment as soon as possible.

We would like to thank Abbvie, Inc. and Gilead Sciences, Inc. for their contribution to this program through unrestricted grants.

[ascent]

So damage can happen quickly in the first two years but I have to wait six months to even get in the rheumatologists office? Awesome. Way to go medical system.

[mikellis]

What she didn't emphasize is that the diagnosis is difficult to affirm when you are sero-negative & women are more likely to not be believed & physical symptoms are written off as stress etc, etc. Wish it wasn't true but I witnessed it in my nursing practice & unfortunately personally. And as she & others have pointed out early diagnosis & treatment effects long term outcomes. I would leave the doctor's office in tears because I knew in my core something was wrong. I had many symptoms, joints & otherwise, for years. 5 years ago when my shoulder needed replacement after rapid deterioration a lab test finally converted to sero positive. Bingo, I was taken seriously & all the possible treatments were offered. In retrospect, I would have fought harder to find care instead of going home depressed & thinking they were right..I was crazy. I read the comments. We all seem to have similar experiences living in limbo. Sad.

[dvb]

I wonder why they say over and over that finding out early helps things from getting worst, when doctors do t take you seriously enough to not even give you a referral!!

[bevvaor]

Thank you for explaining the details of RA. I wish doctors take a little time to explain some of these testing. I look at the results but I am not a doctor to know all about the lingo. Thanks a lot for sharing your knowledge. God bless.

[sandraschick]

This video is wonderfully clear and easy to understand! THANK YOU!

[meredithsutton]

Thank you for explaining seronegative RA! That's what my doc thinks I have, but I didn't quite understand because of my negative bloodwork. My symptoms are pretty much textbook for early RA, and it was confusing to have my bloodwork come back negative (though with an elevated SED rate).

[maryc]

I have rheumatoid arthritis, it really sucks. I’m 48 years old and I can’t even move out of bed. I’ve had it since I was five years old. ❣️🙏🏻

[saya]

I have RA and fibromyalgia living in pain is very frustrating. I have a new medication, and I hope this one helps me. Thank you so much for the information.

[shaunadillon]

I was 21 when I was diagnosed. I went almost a year trying to get a diagnosed. My doctor told me, that my pain was all in my head. It wasn’t until I demanded bloodwork. Then he was like oh your have ra. So need less to say I have a lot of damage done and oh I had all the symptoms

[colleenzeglin]

Turn off the music it is hard to hear you speak

[elissetteg]

Not one rheumatologist has ran any of these tests on me two years later I cannot move my hands my fingers are swollen and stiff

[nerissar]

thank you for this, best video ive seen so far

[jaminschmitt]

I can't see a rheumatologist for another 2 months to get a diagnosis. They are hard to find.

[quit]

My pain is unbelievable.I got autoimmune disease for other conditions but Imy doctor seems skeptic maybe I should go to different doc.

[Jonases_]

the damage occurrd just in months since i started experiencing the pain

[a-k]

I feel pain if I'm holding the phone for 10 min.

[EowynPride]

What if we're 70% certain we have RA, went for blood tests, tests were negative, joints are starting to show signs, but the doctor refuses to send us to a specialist...
I know, that I won't get help until I look like a twisted tree trunk-by then it will be too late. 😔

[rosac]

Thank you for your inf. Some times the drs. Dont believe what is going on in our body even if you are telling and showing then the fact. I do have all the symptoms and still she said that doesn't know what I have. So know I will be seen by a neurologist.

[janhavijadhav]

Mam pls reply anti cpp neg crp esr negative hlb -27 negative ra factor negative still pain n swelling in joints what is wrong

[cynthiacullen]

Is granuloma annular ? Part of rheumatoid arthritis?