Does AS raise CRP levels?

Don't know what you mean by plump.

Choose that as a potential diagnosis to worry about? There are a lot of options, AS is one of the rarer options and not the only cause of SI joint pain in our age group.

The shoulder bursitis may also be part of PMR so it may be a relapse just starting with one side which does happen. I also have SI joint pain but it is part of myofascial pain syndrome which is quite common alongside PMR. The tight muscles in the lower back make the SI joint rub against each other and cause inflammation.

Thanks Eileen. Worst think for me right now is shoulder and arm pain is not allowing me to sleep. Waiting to hear from dr and Iam not the type to constantly call but I don't know what to do with myself. Sometimes Iwish these dr's knew what it felt like. I am a young super actve 60 yr old.

Have you access to a good physical therapist (I'm assuming you are in the US)? They may be able to do a good physical exam. MRI is usually the preferred imaging modality for AS because of the radiation load of CT so you'd have expected that to show something if it were AS. The lack of effect of the Meloxicam too - NSAIDs do work in AS unlike with PMR. Has he done imaging of the shoulder/arm too?

I do know how you feel - I was only in my early 50s and at the gym 3 or 4 times a week when PMR and its delightful add-ons appeared.

I had an mri of lumbar area and after$600 was toldl it showed inflamation but was inconclusive. Now I have to go for cat scan. In the mean time I had a massage and therapist said I need a chiropractor because I have a twisted hip?? Could being out of alignment be cause of shoulder issue also? I am in process of setting up apt. with referred chiro. Even with good insurance this is costing$$$. Feel like rhemy is blowing me off since lab #'s aren't bad but why is crp going up? 5.5

I suspect your rheumy doesn't understand that PMR (in particular) can manifest without matching ESR/CRP levels. In about 1 in 5 patients they remain "in normal range", in some ESR may be raised, in some CRP and in some both. In many they may lag weeks or even months behind symptoms. This can apply in other things too.

And in the meantime - I also suspect he sees a potential for the cash register to wizz around.

I have suffered so much because it takes forever for my #'s to come up. I feel lousy and am not myself but am disregarded. 5.5 crp is elevated not normal for me. Mybody feels like tingely pins and needles. This sucks.

Have you no way of seeing another doctor who treats the patient and their symptoms rather than the numbers?

I know where you are coming from - in 5 years my markers were never out of normal range. My normal ESR is in low single figures, for some weeks while I was in hospital practically unable to move it bumbled along at 16-18, well within quoted normal range (up to 20) so it was never noted. Once it has been just over 30 - heaven knows why!

Hi Mary, Went to chiropracor today who says pain is coming from issue with back rib and associated musles. that run over shoulder and down arm. Also says hips are out of alignment. Seemed like she knew her stuff. Will see her again Mon. I have cat scan tomorrow of SI joint. I hope I dont have pmr anymore but not totally convinced yet. Doing all I can to help myself. Costing $$$ even with good insurance! Thank you for asking. Hope you are feeling well. Wearing to have pain all the time.

Hi patti52108

So glad the Chiro was able to pinpoint where the pain is coming from. It's always half the battle when you know what's causing the pain. Sounds as if she really is professional and knows her stuff. I wish you well for you ct scan tomorrow. I hope your PMR has gone away too. Keep us posted as to how ct scan turns out and any other results you may get. Sending you heaps of good wishes....