someone please help?? Raised markers?

dippydoodah

I was diagnosed with generalized OA in a few joints in February this year but steadily it has been getting worse and is now full body. Its now at a point where I cannot do anything for myself, my husband does everything for me. The pains and swellings have been getting worse and now it feels like somethings happening to my muscles too...

Im due to see my Rheumatologist on 14th September but have just been in to see my GP (who is absolutely wonderful) for blood test results. My thyroid is still underactive and slightly worse than in February but he mentioned that it was good I had an appointment with the Consultant as my Inflammatory Markers were raised at 44?!?

Could someone please tell me bluntly what this means? Is that just slightly raised or alot? He has told me the Rheummy will do more tests to see if it is OA or RA or another type of Arthritis.

Im getting a bit scared now, Ive settled into the fact that it was OA and was slowly coming to terms with it, to be told now it might not be is a bit of a shock. Im 32 and within 6 months Ive gone from being very active to barely moveable. How can it be so aggressive?

Can anyone help on the raised markers numbers???
Ive tried researching it but noone actually says whether '44' is slightly elevated or quite a rise...

I would really appreciate some help.
Thanks
Caroline x

dreamdaisy

As inflammatory markers are not a feature of OA, it could be that RA or something similar is raising it's ugly head: but we don't know that yet.

I have fortnightly blood tests to measure a number of things, including CRP and ESR. These are measures of inflammation. The highest figures I have recorded are CRP 104, ESR 79, though I do know that both have been higher: the record keeping started after I had been on meth for some time - suddenly someone realised that I didn't have my little purple book to record test results! I'm fairly sure I remember CRP touching 180, and ESR being over 100. Life was tough then.

I was told that the ideal figures are between 0 - 10. If a normal person gets a bad bruise their markers might go up to 10 or 15, that's fine, but they'll settle back. As RA is an inflammatory condition, when these indicators start to rise it means the disease is active. That's all. After my first dose of humira they settled to 1 and 5 respectively, and they have stayed at those levels. Whilst on meth they varied from52/19 (best) to 104/79 (worst). When on steroids they dropped to 30/19 then 19/19. This was just before I began the humira.

We're all different: for me 44 (on meth only) would be a good score, I'd be happy with that. My markers may be low but the pain has never diminished. I have PA, psoariatic arthritis - it's like RA but with the added benefit of psoriasis. I can't remember what else you said! Come back with any queries, please! DD

page35

Hi Caroline
please try not to worry too much, easier said than done i know :roll:
i am 34 and have RA, it started at 32 i am a huge wimp and thought my life was finished and that i wouldnt be able to cope with it but im still here and doing ok
you dont know that you have RA yet so just try to read a bit about it and wait and see what the outcome of your appointment is.
whatever it is you will cope.
best wishes

robertls

My Inflamation Markers have been as high as CRP 168, ESR 132.

They're down to single figures now............but pain is still at high levels........

Yours is higher than 'normal'............

It seems to me, they're interpreted differently my just about everyone who looks at them.....

If you've got a team looking after you that you have trust in......Go with whatever they suggest........

Rob x

shiningstar

My Highest CRP (that I know of ) was 66 and my rheumy immediately put me on to oral steroids. My ESR is always around the 5 mark regardless of what my CRP is! CRP is merely indicating inflamation somewhere in your body and not always related to Arthritis. When you see your rhuemy he will make diagnosis by looking at you and feeling joints as well as looking at CRP. Hope that helps but as everyone says we are all different .

Love SS

dippydoodah

thank you for your replies. i have to be totally honest, this whole numbers thing is totally over my head. im only just getting used to all this but i really do appreciate your support. im sure ill learn as i go along.

i have picked up that everyone is different and what might be 'normal' for one person, might not be for someone else.

i have an appointment with the consultant on 14th september so ill make sure i right down any questions i have.

i have to admit, the thought of RA kind of scares me a little although i know there are alot of sufferers who still lead happy lives once theyve had their meds under control. my grandma had RA, so im told by my dad i never actually met her.

thank you for taking the time to reply. im sure ill get my head around this eventually and i do appreciate your help

caroline x

ironic

Hi Caroline,
Good luck with your appointment in Sept. I'm really sorry that things have gotten so tough for you. I know you are frightened flower, but it might not be what you think. They will do all the tests in Sept so you must pace yourself until then. Just be kind to yourself and take one day at a time.
Things will improve for you I'm sure of that. Please keep to the official sites when you are tempted to do reseach. I did'nt and scared myself witless. :roll:

Lv, Ix

dorcas

Hi Caroline

You're going through the worst phase of all.......waiting for a diagnosis.

Once you've seen rheummy in September s/he will be able to explain what the blood test results mean for you...answer questions you have about whether you have OA/ RA or inflammatory arther and discuss with you what the next steps in managing the condition are.

'If' it turns out that you have any of the inflammatory arthers then I'm sure the rheummy will consider what treatments to give you that will work towards getting arther symptoms under control....such as meds that focus on reducing inflammation and giving you pain relief.

At the moment, with the sudden onset of pain and stiffness it is understandable that you feel anxious and worried about the future. But please resist the temptation of looking too far ahead without firstly knowing what the reality of your condition is and what treatment options there are.

Take it one step at a time and remember we are here for you.

(((hugs)))

Iris x