Question
I have pain in my left wrist, but not in the joint. It is along the outside edge of the bone.  I have been seeing a Rhuematologist.  At first he did not think that I had RA because the pain and elevated RF were the only symptoms.  No stiffness, no warmth, no swelling and X-rays showed no signs of RA.  After several rounds of tests, I have seen a hematologist who reported indications of significant inflammation in my blood.  He did a bone marrow biopsy and determined that nothing was wrong in his area. Another test showed high positive for 2 indicators of primary biliary cirrhosis.  I had a liver biopsy and that showed no evidence of PBC, but again it was reported that there were clear indicators of inflammation. Neurologist reported no carpal tunnel or pinched nerves.  I had an MRI on my neck and brain and am waiting for those results
So now the rhuematologist is saying that it must be RA and that I am in denial.  
I am having a hard time accepting the diagnosis, but that is because the symptoms don't fit.  Is it possible to have only an elevated RF and pain near the joint and still have RA?  Is there another disease that is a closer fit that we haven't tested for?

Answer
Christina,

Yes it is possible to have an elevated RA and pain near a joint and have RA. But that is not all that you have. Having elevated inflammation in your system also backs up the diagnosis. In the early stages of RA many times X-rays will not show the type of joint damage associated with RA. It is possible that is can be another type of autoimmune disease such as lupus or
Sj鰃ren抯 Syndrome. Your doctor has most likely ruled these out because of the lack of other symptoms.

If you question your Rheumatologist you can always seek a second opinion.

Rusty
http://arthritis-symptom.com/Rheumatoid-arthritis-symptoms/index.htm