I have already gotten immensely useful data for my $99 (that’s what I paid several years ago). And for my friends who found their families… well you can’t put a price on that. So let’s just agree to disagree about that. As for HLA B27, yes I’m aware of this test and it’s usefulness in diagnosing AS and PsA, but that’s not what my post was about (btw, I am positive for the HLADQ2.5 gene and several other HLA genes, but negative for HLA B27). The point of my post was to discuss the TNF 308 snp and it’s affect on anti tnf treatments. I believe the following article has been most helpful. I have 2 copies of the rare A allele, which according to this study, may mean I will not respond well to etanercept: “Patients homozygous for TNF-308A responded very poorly to etanercept with a mean DAS28 improvement of only 0.61 (Pc = 0.001) compared with improvements of 2.74 and 2.51 for TNF-308AG and GG genotypes, respectively.”
Thats associative Data. The 308 issue was explored almost 15 years ago. Results.The TNF2 allele was found in 23% of symptomatic patients and 10% of controls. Although both groups showed high variability in serum TNF concentration, in the lipopolysaccharide‐induced TNF level and in the cytotoxicity of the cytokine in the L929 cell line, these differences were not associated with the −308 TNF polymorphism. No associations were found between the −308 TNF promoter polymorphism, serum and ex vivo TNF levels and the cytotoxic activity of TNF in symptomatic patients.
Its even worse than the HLA B-27 test which is being used less and less. Only 10% of patients positive for HLA B-27 are symptomatic while close to 80% of symptomatic patients are positive for HLA B27. Theres smoke but no fire. Research has moved on to IL6,8, and 10 and the newer class medications have landed there. There are IL tests. We are at LEAST 10 years from predictive measures on the biologics. Although I’m old and only coffee with the the primary researchers occasionally.
the bottom line is you won’t know how you respond to any given medication until you try it. There are simply too many factors effecting TNF levels. Its a game of wack a mole.
Interesting about IL. I have raw DNA data for every member of my family. My dad and I both have a lot of risk alleles in the HLA and IL snp areas. He has RA and I have PsA/celiac. We are the only two affected in my family. I couldn’t begin to understand the fine details of it all, but it is fascinating to me nonetheless!
trust me, its fascinating to me too. Hope you understand this is discussion to me…
Absolutely, and I really do appreciate your insight.
This is very interesting and I appreciate all the answers . I’m a RN and took genetics many years ago ( graduation was 1986) , I had to read a lot of the answers to understand what you were talking about …I think ugly feet raised a good question and I think 
it’s ok to ask questions about info we are not sure about …I thank you all for your good explanations and kindness , because I found it a confusing subject …love to you all
I have all the raw data from my complete genome study, they did it free for a university study off of Facebook, but it is hard to go through the thousands of lines of info! I was hoping to be able to look up the different gene strands. I wonder if there is a program to input the info to? A iPad app would be great, but I guess it would not be very popular… 
Don’t think an Ipad has the computing power in fact I’m not sure the worlds largest super computer has the capability… With the lines of data you have, there are roughly twenty-two billion five hundred million possibilities and “associations”. With the ones they didn’t study there nine hundred two billion five hundred million possibilities. (approx.)
As I recall @Jon_sparky you have some Neuralgia? I’d pull out in info you have regarding SCN1A, SCN2A, SCN3A, and SCN9A, respectively located within a cluster on chromosome 2q24.3 (this just popped up on another thread.
OR more simply try a sodium channel blocker such as:
- Acetamide
- Benzamide
- Gabapentin
- Pregabalin
A number of our members have had some success with them. There are others as this area is evolving. But if one works you are gold, if not no worse than before…
Thanks good info! Maybe i should just get cloned clowned?
Tried the bottom two, but had moderate side effects from the meds so had to stop.
So hows the hand coming @Jon_sparky Are you back to your art yet/ (both the flutes and the pottery)
It is about 80%. I have one more PT appointment next week. Still working on range of motion of my wrist, latest PT exercise is pulling back on the fingers to extend range of motion. I think the PsA and OA involvement slightly slowed down the recovery, especially with the fingers.
I have not done pottery yet, as my technique really impacts the scar, but may try smaller pieces. Christmas is coming up, so I need to get throwing! I am able to play the flute, this is a good stretching exercise.
I agree TNT. I tested negative for BLA-27, and my doctor sent me an email and said “but that doesn’t mean you don’t have PsA.”
I think there is a lot to be left out with these commercial DNA test.
My rheumy did my DNA test …but she figured anyway by looking at my nails and toenails I had it ,my uncle and grandfather had Psoratic arthritis…anyway at least I know why I feel horrible everyday