Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group anyone HLA B27+ and RF+?

Hey....this is something that has been bothering me for the past year or so....

I am HLA B27+, and my RF [rheumatoid factor] is + and at 92. I haven't been able to find any medical information re AS and/or RA that deals specifically with a person being both HLA B27+ and having a positive RF. I have not been diagnosed with AS or RA but my rheumy did diagnosis me with 'sacroiliitis'. I have iritis [aggressive and chronic], and I have been diagnosed with another auto-immune condition called Primary Biliary Cirrhosis [PBC].

I would like to know if anyone out there is both positive for HLA B27 and the Rheumatoid Factor????

Thanks,
Rita

James, 12, Adrian, 10, Elisabeth, 3, my babies!

ive been dx'd with both but i didnt want to know the actual numbers because to me they dont matter the RF is my rheumatoid arthritis thats all i need to know so i never really asked about it sorry.....oak

I am B27+ but RF-. However, I have heard of folk here who are both. I don't get that you can have lower back pain and iritis, as well as another autoimmune disease, plus being B27 and RF+ and NOT get a dx.

Sometimes, medical 'professionals' make me wonder.

Hugs,

Yes I am. I have both as well as testing positive for SLE.
Kind of tests your patience as well as your dr.

Hope you are having a good day.
Possi

Rita,

A thought here. My rheumie did not give me a diagnosis for many many years but did treat me for all of the diseases. He said that once you get those diagnoses down they are there forever and you are uninsurable. Maybe he is watching out for you. My daughter has tested positive but they have not given her a diagnosis for same reason.

I went for many years with the diagnosis of "undifferentiated collagen vascular disease" Very vague.

Just a thought. I told my dr. I didn't care what he called it as long as he made me feel better.

Hugs.
Possi

Hey Kat....and Oak.....and Southern Belle....well, I guess if I went back to my rheumy and asked her why? she would probably give me some sort of 'answer'! but, I really don't want to go back to the rheumy! And I think that if I wanted to pursue Remicade [like my rheumy wanted] an actual diagnose would make it easier for BC Medical to cover it completely for me, so I don't think that is why I haven't been diagnosed [re Possi]. It's more likely because I hadn't pursued any more visits with the rheumy. We really didn't connect to well and I didn't really like her! If I start getting worse I'll ask for another rheumy or I'll just go and see her again.

So far I haven't experienced any 'real' pain like most of the folks here but I have been in an iritis flare for just about 1 year now! and that is a little bothersome

The PBC is under control with just one med and I have experienced no side effects from that so I'm pretty happy with it.

I have been wondering more about the RA though as when I do have pain in the joints mostly knees and shoulders it is now symetrical [sp?] and I have been experiencing a little bit of swelling in my hands/fingers. [I woke up early one morning and my hands/fingers hurt and they were swollen enough that I really needed to take my rings off..usually I have the opposite problem with my rings tending to fall off!] And I think the knuckles are starting to look a little suspicious! but I am probably just getting paranoid about that.

I am still NSD [mostly ] and that takes care of most of my aches and pains and keeps my iritis at a slower simmer....but I am starting to wonder about the future and if my pain will increase, and if my babies are carrying some of these genes of mine that will cause them pain in the future.

Cheers,
Rita

James, 12, Adrian, 10, Elisabeth, 3, my babies!

Rita, you might want to get a referral to a new rheumy now. If you wait until later, you might end up waiting even longer if wait times are anything like Ontario's in BC.

You are in treatment for the iritis, right?

Many hugs,

Hey Kat....the last time it only took 2 weeks to get in to see the rheumy....and yup, I am in treatment for the iritis, I actually was just in to see the doc about 2 weeks ago now. He was pretty happy with my eye, although I thought it had gotten worse, it felt worse, but he said that it looked better than the previous time [about 2 months ago]. He said the cataract is staying the same as last time, and that there were fewer inflammatory cells floating around!

Cheers,
Rita

James, 12, Adrian, 10, Elisabeth, 3, my babies!

I was told the lab tests are not that strong of an indicator of what causes your symptoms. I am both HLA B27- and RF- but I am diagnosed with AS and RA. He diagnosed me based on my symptoms and bone scans. I have also had Iritis for a year. My Rheumy originally told me it could take up to 5 years to get a diagnosis. That was a year ago. He also thinks my Arthritis is reactive. So I think your diagnosis depends on allot of issues: Rheumy, desease activity, labs, bone scans, x-rays, and how you respond to your medications.

Tim

Certainly sounds like my RA. My joints have been so swollen that I couldn't wear any jewelry even bracelets and hurt so bad. Right now I am so much better that I have it piled on. The meds are really helping. I guess the Remicade and the addition of the Methotrexate. I feel so much better that I am not even letting myself think about those powerful drugs.

I hope you get another rheumy before long. You don't want it doing damage to your joints. Once the damage is done, it can't be undone. The meds are helping stop more damage but my ruined shoulder, elbow and hand are just that....ruined. Won't straighten or bend.

Hope you have a good evening.

Hugs.
SB