Quick question does all athritis cause inflammation?

niecsey
niecsey Member Posts: 75
edited 7. Mar 2011, 17:31 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi all does all arthritis show inflammation? The reason l ask lve been ina pretty bad constant flare up l have wear and tear to spine and both shoulders diagnosed had blood done other day and blood came back fine??? Just curious thank you x

Comments

  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Quick answer, I don't know. On the face of it perhaps yes, as so many of us seem to be on anti-inflammatories (but they can be used for other reasons perhaps). I have PA and this began with a grossly swollen left knee (it took years and ended up over two feet round) then other joints swelled too - but I always had a sero-negative score thus ruling out RA. RA can lead to joint distortion but I don't know about inflammation being a common feature. OAers take anti-inflammatories so yes, joint effusion could be a problem for some. We are all different in our various versions of this dross and we take the same meds but for different reasons. It is confusing. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • katie5
    katie5 Member Posts: 242
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    hi

    I have OA and my GP has always said that you don't get swelling with OA its "just good old wear and tear" as he likes to refer to it - i personally like to refer to it as bloody painful!

    Katie x
  • chris7
    chris7 Bots Posts: 2,696
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi

    Good question and I am interested in this too. My feeling is that for those of us with OA only, that nothing would show in a blood test. If they suspect there are other varieties of arther possibly in the mix then GP's would suggest a blood test I assume? Though even then they don't always seem to give a true reflection of what is going on! Confusing isn't it?

    I have OA in my hips and the question of a blood test has never been raised. :???: I don't get any visible swelling but I do know this, that my anti inflams most certainly do something to reduce my pain and keep me mobile. So whatever is going on in there, I am very grateful for mine.
    I hope you get some relief from your flare soon.
    best wishes
    Chris
  • niecsey
    niecsey Member Posts: 75
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Rhe confusion continues................ lol l take anti inflams to and they help sp if lve no inflammati0on how the hell do they help? All confused now hmmm and my wear and tear bloody hurts! lol x
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Neicsey

    I haven't seen your name on the forum lately unless I have missed you. I hope you are not feeling too unwell.

    All I know is with OA, I can have flareups and taking anti inflammatories daily helps me. I ran out recently so was without any for 4 days and I noticed a difference. Before my knee ops I used to take 2 daily but for some time now I only need to take one to help me with my spine, shoulder, thumbs and foot. So even on only one anti inflam daily I was pleased to get my script again.

    Elna x
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.
  • chris7
    chris7 Bots Posts: 2,696
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Weird ain't it? :lol:

    I think the inflammation is there, but it is the shy silent sneaky type which doesn't show up on a blood test. Why not put your question on the helpline and see if they can find us some answers? Just a thought. Am sure others will pop in here too.
    Hang in there
    Chris

    Hi Elna nice to see you there. :grin: take care love.
  • niecsey
    niecsey Member Posts: 75
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi ladies xxx lve only posted a few times lm more of a lurker till l moan lol :) l posted on the help board a few weeks ago. Its so damm annoying when nothign shows up you feel like a fraud and a pest when you KNOW your IN REAL PAIN grrr. I only taking the antinflams when l really have to my stomach dont like them plus l dont like the stomach protectors :) x
  • hileena111
    hileena111 Member Posts: 7,099
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi
    I just have OA but take anti inflamms and they help so how do they help if we dont have inflammation LOL
  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Niecsey,

    Good to see you again and hope your doing okish?

    The easiest answer is yes though they have different reasons for the inflammation and different areas as well. oa doesn't show up in your bloods but then a lot of the others don't either.

    The bones become inflamed in oa and start to ossifie and that causes the inflammation where as the other types are more to do with inflammation being in the synovial fluid and once i knew what that really actually meant... twas a long time ago now :wink:

    OA burns for a while and then goes dormant for a while in 1st and 2nd stage but in 3rd and 4th its relentless. The anti-inflammatories just help to keep some of the bones inflammation down and well you need to take them when its on a burn. hey and take the stomach ones as well cus they invariably do rot the lining of your stomach with long term and regular use.

    I hope it will back off for you soon and tis nice to see you again. Cris xx
  • niecsey
    niecsey Member Posts: 75
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks hun xx that made a lot of sense x Im ok not too bad just sternum stabbing from sitting on lap top so long sittings a bugger for me. Im also very very itchy could rip my scalp off face chest and arm????? lve little red blotches on my chest and arm. Hows you? x

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