? Reactive arthritis. ESR rate

Mrsk22 · 14. May 2022, 13:45

Hello. I'm new to the group!

I'm currently waiting for an rheumatologist appointment to come through, the doctors think I have reactive arthritis following a bad bowel infection a few weeks prior.

My question is... is the ESR rate always elevated? Mine was checked and its normal. But other conditions have been eliminated and all the symptoms of ReA are there!

Many thanks! Sam

anneb82 · 14. May 2022, 13:56

Hello @Mrsk22

Welcome to the online community and thank you for joining us.

So you are currently waiting for a diagnosis after having symptoms that started after a bad bowel infection. You are wondering if the ESR is always elevated since yours is not but you have all the other symptoms of Reactive Arthritis.

I have to say in my personal experience, my ESR is always raised however I do know that there are other blood tests that the Consultants can order that can look at the levels of inflammation in your body. However, we are not medically trained here on the online community so I would really recommend discussing this with the specialist. Im sure the other members of the community will be able to comment on their personal experience also.

In the mean time, I have found the following links that I think may be of interest to you. Please do take a look when you have the time.

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/reactive-arthritis/

https://www.versusarthritis.org/news/2021/august/how-to-adapt-when-you-ve-been-diagnosed-with-arthritis/

Please do let us know how you get on at your appointment when it comes through. I always recommend that people write down any questions, no matter how many, to take to your appointment as it can be quite a lot to take it. This way you wont forget anything that you've been wondering while waiting to be seen.

Do continue to keep getting involved in the community. We are a friendly bunch and always looking to make new friends.

Take care

Anne (Moderator)

frogmorton · 15. May 2022, 05:31

Morning @Mrsk22

I was just saying to someone else that they seem to have 'better' blood testing at clinic not sure why. They will be looking at other blood results too like CRP

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/healthcare-professionals/training-and-education-resources/clinical-assessment-of-patients-with-musculoskeletal-conditions/investigations/

Who knows what your own 'normal' ESR is anyway? it's a range. Hopefully a good consultant will be looking at other things too. Your own history and any symptoms still visible to them when you get there.

This is the person I was just posting to's thread:

https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/57589/preparing-for-appointment

I know it's not exactly the same and remember they have your GP's referral with what he/she suspects in it which will go a long way.

Take care

Toni x

? Reactive arthritis. ESR rate

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