AboutRusty Ford Expertise I can answer questions about most types of arthritis and the drugs and procedures used to treat them.
Experience I manage the one of largest arthritis websites on the internet http://arthritis-symptom.com/ I have been involved with publishing artritis research for 15 years and aswering questions related to almost any type of arthitis.
Organizations Arthritis-Symptom.com
Arthritis Foundation
Expert: Rusty Ford Date: 3/26/2008 Subject: Rheumatoid factor
Question I have been having some strange symptoms for sometime. Muscle aches, fever, fatigue, I just got my RF of 494 very high, I don't really have joint pain, some but mostly muscle aches. My doctor doesn't seem to think it's arthritis, but some other underlying illness. Any ideas?
Answer Christine,
I hope you and your doctor are still looking for a diagnosis. If you are not seeing a Rheumatologist it may be time to ask for a referral.
RA factor can be high in many conditions including other connective tissue diseases (such as systemic lupus erythematosus or Sjögren's Syndrome), some infectious diseases (such as infectious hepatitis, syphilis, infectious mononucleosis, parasites, and tuberculosis), liver disease, and sarcoidosis.
The various forms of lupus can cause your symptoms as well as Sjogren's Syndrome. The other things on the list are fairly easy to rule out.
Of course this does not mean you have either of the conditions. It could also be that you have some form of myalgia (muscle disease) and the RA factor is not relevant in the diagnosis. Even some people with no health problems can have a high RA factor. That is why it is important to keep pushing until you get an exact diagnosis. When you get the correct diagnosis then you can treat whatever it is causing the pain.
I wish I could be of more help. I would not stress over whether it is any of the conditions listed above. But you should really actively pursue a diagnosis.
