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high crp levels

Posted , 4 users are following.

alexis13
alexis13

hi i have suffered aches and pains for years, have had carpel tunnel surgery on both hands, for a few years now some of my joints have been swelling up and very painful, my crp levels have been raised, so i asked if i could be referred to see a rheumatologist, i was at the hospital and been told after the ultra sound she said she couldnt see any signs of r.a. but thought i have hypermobility syndrom, they did take more bloods, so my question is can you have r.a. even though the ultrsound showed no signs. thanks in advance for any advice

0 likes, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • Jan999
    Jan999 alexis13

    Posted

    Hello alexis. I've not heard of anyone having an ultrasound to look for RA. Only having X-rays. Did they scan your whole body? I have pain in many joints and some swelling. I'm sure someone will be able to give you a better answer than me though.
    • alexis13
      alexis13 Jan999

      Posted

      hi matron, no she only used ultra sound on my dominant hand (right) i also have trigger thumb on this hand, i had no x rays. after the doctor used the ultra sound she moved my legs about and bent my little fingers back and thats when she said you have hypermobility, i asked for more blood work to be done, so back to just using co-codomol and anti inflammatorys.

       

    • Jan999
      Jan999 alexis13

      Posted

      I agree with suelmc alexis an X-ray or ultrasound won't show anything unless there's any damage to your joints. are you definitely having more bloods done? I had my rheumatoid factor and serum protein levels checked and they were both raised. I take anti inflammatories like you with codeine. Paracetamol is prescribed separately. I'm also prescribed Nefopam (also called Acupan) which isn't an opiate but is given for post op pain and for labour pains. That helps control my pain.

      good luck alexis and keep in touch.

    • alexis13
      alexis13 Jan999

      Posted

      thank you matron, i had bloods done at the rheumatology dept today dont know which ones but they  filled 3 bottles, i asked for the bloods to be done  as my own g.p. said my own surgery dont check the r.f or serum protein they only check for the crp levels. and i want to know one way or another. i will let you know when i get the results.
  • slm222
    slm222 alexis13

    Posted

    Hi Alexis,

    RA is found in blood work. You don't have to be showing physical structure signs of it to have it. I've never heard of someone checking via an ultrasound, but keep in mind that even x-rays may not show anything if you catch it before any joint damage has occurred. There are a few blood tests that are crucial for diagnosis. Make sure you get those done. Good luck!

    • alexis13
      alexis13 slm222

      Posted

      thank you  for your reply, they did do more bloods but which ones have have been ordered i am unsure. i did ask the doctor to send me the same letter as the one she was sending to my g.p. i just feel like a fake but i know this pain is real when it wakes me up through the night. bloods should be back by next week she said so may get more answers then
    • Jan999
      Jan999 alexis13

      Posted

      I know what you mean about the pain. It wears you out. I'm sure you'll get some answers next week.
  • slm222
    slm222 alexis13

    Posted

    If you have both a high RF *and* a high CCP, you are dealing wtih RA without a doubt, Keep in mind though that your RF can be high with your CCP in range and vice versa, and still have RA. The high RF and CCP combined just makes it a concrete diagnosis. Also, your symptoms shouldn't be ignored. Pain and fatigue are both big symptoms. Don't give up on getting the correct diagnosis!! Good luck to you!
    • Jan999
      Jan999 slm222

      Posted

      suelmc can you tell me what CCP stands for please? Is it the same as serum protein? 
    • slm222
      slm222 Jan999

      Posted

      Hi Matron,

      It stands for cyclic citrullinated peptides and it detects RA. If you have high numbers in both the Rheumatoid Factor (in the U.S., anything over 14) and the CCP (anything higher than 20), that is a definitivie positive for RA.The last time I had mine checked I han an RF of 41 and a CCP factor of 250. 

    • Jan999
      Jan999 slm222

      Posted

      Thank you for that suelmc. It's much clearer now.
  • lyy13133
    lyy13133 alexis13

    Posted

    I was given ultrasound because it shows soft tissue damage and X-rays don't show anything but bone which isn't enough. They should use ultrasound for the hands and feet as well as X-ray. CRP could be elevated due to ibuprofen if you have taken it? But I have RA and all the ultrasound indicates is if the damage has gone to the hands etc although it will eventually without treatment.
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