Awful that it took that long to diagnose you correctly. I’m very disappointed in doctors. I didn’t think I had RA but the blood tests show I do. It affected my big joints not small and I never got the swelling. I guess I’m lucky that way. I went for a second opinion and I was told the same. 😟

Thank you. The information was quite helpful. I guess it jmakes we wonder why some rheumatologists don't routinely check for markers every few years as standard protocol. Either way, I'm happy to be feeling good and that's what counts.

It's possible that your original doctor was correct.
There's a standard test that most doctors do, sediment rates etc., but there are other tests that can be done looking for rarer markers in the blood and urine.
My GP tested me for RA on a regular basis for 7 years because the knuckles in my hands were getting so large. His blood test results never showed the standard markers for RA. This year, I took myself to a very good rheumatologist who looked at the rarer markers for RA, found what he was looking for and gave me a definite diagnosis.
I wouldn't consider all those years on methotrexate a waste because that drug tamps down inflammation throughout the body and may have stopped the disease altogether.

That is awful and I feel they do misdiagnose RA and you took methotrexate all those years for nothing I had a bad reaction to that medication. Sometimes I feel I am misdiagnosed because RA doesn’t run in my family on either side. My mother had multiple sclerosis. I always feel like do I have RA or am I misdiagnosed. I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism way before RA. Makes you think 🤔 I’m glad you found out and you feel good!