low inflammation, lots of pain

Hi River

Have you been on Enbrel long? I'm hoping I have many years before my dumb body figures it out and Enbrel quits working for me. I hope you find answers.

M

There is no corelation between inflamation levels and pain levels.   Every DMARD and biologic has decreased my inflamation levels, most in the normal range, but no difference in pain levels or slowing the spread.

My blood tests have never shown hardly any inflammation. Even when I couldn't move my hands, bend my knees, move my head because my neck was so inflamed it locked up, or walk on my red swollen feet. The only labs that are abnormal for me are my RF, and CCP AB. I can tell how bad my body is inflamed by how good/bad I feel. I've been taking Enbrel for a couple months now and I feel amazing! I hope to hell it never stops working!

Hi river 22,

Sorryto hear you are still in a lot of pain, but you must understand that because you have lowor no inflamation does not meanyou will have no pain, RA is a life long decease and will not go away, unless you are one of the lucky ones where by you wake up one morning it has gone, this has been know. I am on Rohactemera which i have been on foe over 8 months now, and it seems to be keeping my RA under control, Enbral for my first bio medication , and after a while came off it as i was getting rashes and swollen legs.   I have to say tho i was very ill in the begining as my RA was very aggressive and sudden.  I digress....i still have very painful attacks of pain, a little swelling from time to time but not so much now. Fatigue is my biggest problem with sor joints, which keeps my mobility to a minimum . You also have to remember my friend every day will be differant , no 2 days will be the same. But ...i must stress that "NOT" taking meds is not a good thing, as they leave your system you will start to feel the symptoms return. You will feel really well on some days , but don't be fooled. Unless your RA has disapeared completely keep taking the meds.