hi,
I have psoriatic arthritis (it's a variant for of rheumatoid arthritis) and my
sed rate and c=reactive  protein were all normal.  Unfortunately blood tests are non=specific, most rheumatologists have to go by physical symptoms.  There is a whole criteria of specific physical findings that indicate RA.  While weight loss can make your jonnts feel better, it doesn't make the disease itself better.  RA is systemic and doesn't coorelate to weight loss.
 If you go on-line and google dr doc you will get one of the best and informative websites in the world.  The physician is from South Africa but has links to the American College of
rheumatology and the arthritis foundation in the USA.  Keep working with your rheumatologist. 
It may take a while but you can eventually get control.  I have had arthritis since I was 29 (I'm 50 now)  I walk and jog, have done 6 mini marathons and too many 5K's too count.  The best advice I was given by my doctor is to keep moving.  There is this weird paradox effect. If you are in pain get up and walk!  And do it as fast as you can.  We you are done and even the next day, you will be amazed at how much your pain has lessened.  The movement helps move fluid out of your joints and also to lubricate the joints.
Good luck!

Yes losing wt will help but damage done is damage done ya know? I went to the rheumy and they gave my cortisone shots and Skelaxin. which is fabulous to me. Non drowsy and I can still function like a mom of 4 who works.

I have it in both knees too.  My left knee is bone on bone and my right knee is quickly becoming so. 

I haven't been able to completely straighten my left leg for five years due to the arthritis so I was putting most of my weight on my right leg.  Now my right knee is causing me trouble.

I too am too young for a knee replacement.  I am only 38.  I have tried everything.  I had steriod shots.  They worked great, but only lasted about one month.  And my doctor tells me that I can only have up to three a year.  So I tried Synvisc shots in my right knee (which is the one causing me the most pain now even though my left is worse).  Supposedly takes care of the pain for "up to six months"  It did absolutely no good.  I was prescribed Celebrex.  Nothing. 

I am having VSG in Mexico (am a self-pay) in one month and the main reason I am having it is that my knee pain is so severe it is really affecting my life.  It is hard to exercise because of the pain and yet I need to exercise to keep the pain away.  It is kind of a catch-22.  I believe my only hope is to lose a large amount of weight quickly.  So here I am planning on WLS.  I honestly believe it is my only hope at alleviating the pain. 

I get terribly depressed by all of this.  I want to take Arthritis Aquatics classes, but they are only offered in the middle of the day because most people dealing with this are seniors.  Well I am not 65+ and am not retired.  Some of us still work for a living and can't take classes @ 10am. 

I love my knee doctor.  He is great.  But I feel completely screwed.  There is nothing they can/will do for me surgically because of my age.  So I face the next 20+ years with dread hoping I can make it until then so I can have knee replacement.  I take vicodin when it is really bad and Aleve when it is only slightly bad.

I realize I am writing a lot here, but I want you to know I really KNOW how you are feeling.  I know what it is like to not be able to do basic things like easily put socks on.  I have a terrible time because of my knee pain.  I can't garden easily because I cannot get on my knees.  I can't scrub the floor because of my knees.  I can't take a walk through the French Quarter for a few hours because of my knees.

My weight has caused this and I pray that this surgery will help the pain.  I believe it will.  Being in pain on a daily basis stinks and I am tired of living like this.

If you ever need to vent - PM me.  And I will be sure to keep you posted on my pain post-surgery!  ~ Lisa

HELLO- I am 3.5 months post-op and have severe OA in my knees and ankles and have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and APS-Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome( autoimmune disorder). My c-reactive protein was in the 9's and my SED rate was in the 90's! From my own research that is pretty elevated and my dr. doesn't seem too concerned about it. They just keep going up and up and all my labwork for RA and Lupus are coming back negative, but my Rheumatologist says I have many of the "physical symptoms." What gives do you think? Despite losing 76 pds in 3.5 months, my numbers are increasing as well as my pain levels. Are there any meds and/or tests you might recommend for me. Thanks!

You cannot take Motrin or any other NSAID's after gastric bypass because they cause stomache bleeding. The only medication of that type you can take (for the rest of your life) is Tylenol. If I were you, I would go ahead and switch to Tylenol now.