Out of curiosity, has either doctor brought up Lupus (SLE) as a possibility? It can mimic RA to an extent. But can present neurological symptoms too. And is a very close 'family member' of autoimmune to RA.

I'm in my own hunt for an autoimmune disorder after some blood work, I should get the word (fingers crossed) on what is maybe when I get to see the rhuemy. But RA and Lupus were both ruled out for my by the results of the same test. It's called an anti-DNA, that goes along with an ANA.

ANA checks the levels of inflammation, and the anti-DNA checks for specific antibodies consistent with lupus as well as RA and a few other autoimmune disorders.

It's not unlikely to be given RA as an initial dx that later changes to lupus, it's not that the disease changed any but you may advance to a point where they can see the symptoms treading towards on over the other, that can't always be pulled straight from the blood tests.

I have clean MRIs and I have MS.

Thanks. I saw a connective tissue professor last year and he's being re-consulted now this week. Last year his view was that lupus was very unlikely because I am post menopausal (52 with early meno) and have no kidney or lung involvement - which he felt I would if I had SLE. After the child bearing years it tends to slow down or lessen and mine is still progressing. My ANA and other autoantibodies are all either negative or equivocal (RF). He confirmed that I have autoimmunity (inflammation markers and thyroid antibodies) and that I did certainly have RA because I showed him photos of my hands and fingers at diagnosis - he said these were text book classic and could be nothing else. So it's whether I have additional or overlap.

The specialist dentist confirmed that the numbness and tingle in my face is same as rest - small fiber sensory parasthesia rather than CNS or Trigeminal (TMJ) or anything oral. He explained that he's only seen this type of parasthesia in people with tumours or MS - but my brain only showed small vessel disease in line with my age.

So he will write to my neurologist suggesting that my neuro now looks for lesions in the nerves at the back of my head as well as ganglions as this could also account for the dizziness. I'm not sure how these investigations would be done - MRI? Biopsy? I managed to avoid having a temporal arterial biopsy recently so they could rule out GCA which I know I didn't have as I really don't have much pain or headaches - just dizziness and numbing tingle and this tightness around my teeth and lips.

As I'm sure you know about 30% of people with RA have negative Rheumatoid Factor and 40% are negative for anti CCP so these tests are important diagnostic clues but don't rule it out if negative. It is the symptoms that should count most always. Synovial swelling is unique to RA with hot "boggy" synovial joints. I have three friends with sero negative Lupus but some doctors refuse to acknowledge seronegative Lupus. I think it applies to around 20% and 10% for Scleroderma. I guess once these diseases start to attack the joints, eyes, internal organs etc then it doesn't matter what your blood says but I'm sure most of us don't want to wait to be treated too late.

Thanks for telling me. How was your MS diagnosed?

I have a brain full of lesions and no real symptoms. Last MRI showed one small lesion. I had a MRI for a different reason. My neuro sent me to Boston for a consult. He said that I probably had an episode about 20 years ago.

[QUOTE=Soxfan;1156135]I have a brain full of lesions and no real symptoms.

Welcome, Soxfan! I can't comment on the lesions disappearing except to say, Good for you! You are a lucky fan.
Since 1995 I've had numerous lesions in my brain on MRI's, but all of my disabilities are reflective of the numerous lesions on my C and T spine. (i.e. Below the neck)

I wonder if both of your MRI's were taken using the same machine settings, or with or without contrast, etc. I hear they have particular settings now using terms like Flare Imaging and Tessla ... something.

Anyway, we're glad you found us.

Hello Soxfan and welcome to NeuroTalk.


Lesions can heal and disappear as you are describing, with and without treatment. I had numerous (to many to count) cervical spinal cord lesions in 2005 and the MRI in 2013 showed a countable 3 on the cervical spinal cord.