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RA, OA, ESR and CRP?

Posted , 4 users are following.

constance.de
constance.de

Can someone please tell me whether with RA and OA there is always elevated ESR and/or CRP?  Thanks in advance.

0 likes, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • ama38049
    ama38049 constance.de

    Posted

    No...
    • ama38049
      ama38049 constance.de

      Posted

      Quoting some of the rheumies that I am "happy" to know - only about 10-15% of population have all the "right" (elevated/abnormal) blood tests' symptoms. The diagnosis is based on clinical pain/swelling evaluation + Xrays + CT + MRI. Blood tests may hint which RA you are having (there are more than 300 types) but they do not rule out that you have any of these. 
    • EileenH
      EileenH ama38049

      Posted

      Which leads me to wonder why they have such a problem with PMR patients who are - to use their words - "atypical". Since most of these "atypical" patients are fairly typical of most of us rolleyes

      However - "nice" to know that it isn't significantly different for you! I often wonder why some rheumies decided it was the speciality for them. I can only assume that pathology or anaesthetics were too difficult for them... 

    • EileenH
      EileenH

      Posted

      And forgot to ask - did the "No" mean no no-one can tell her or "No" they aren't always elevated?
    • ama38049
      ama38049 EileenH

      Posted

      "No" as these are not always elevated. The other option didn't cross my mind at the time of typying...

      As for choice of profession vs accuracy? Good conjecture...

  • EileenH
    EileenH constance.de

    Posted

    "If your doctor suspects you have arthritis, he or she may have your blood drawn to determine which type of arthritis you have. In people with osteoarthritis, blood tests are not usually abnormal, but with other types of arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis, certain tests will help with a proper diagnosis." (from Web md)

    ESR and CRP show there is inflammation in the body - they won't be raised in OA because that isn't an inflammatory disease, it is simply damage to the cartilage in the joints. They are also non-specific - they aren't directly related to the disease process. Often in RA they lag behind a flare - patients will know they are having a flare but the bloods are normal. They may not be raised - but there are lots of other tests that are far more specific to RA. 

    • EileenH
      EileenH

      Posted

      PS, should have added - CRP may be raised in severe OA but the ESR is usually normal. But MAY doesn't mean it always is.
    • constance.de
      constance.de EileenH

      Posted

      As I have often said, my rheumy told me (over 10 months ago) my PMR was in remission - that's why I joined the PMR Forum - and thank God I did!  I was completely alone with the disease for nearly 3 years.  I wanted to know why I still had all the symptoms of PMR, but that it was in remission (you explained that very clearly, and I relaxed - I wasn't a freak after all)!!!

      I am dealing with the PMR pretty well now.  I can cope with the shoulder and arm pain quite well.  If I could get over the fatigue I'd be a very happy bunny.  They have all sorts of sleeping pills, why can't someone come up with waking up pills??

      Now I have lots of trouble with my ankles and hips.  The daft thing about it is that I can move my hips very well, they only hurt when I walk.  This CAN'T be RA can it?  It sounds more like OA.

       

    • EileenH
      EileenH constance.de

      Posted

      They both do damage to the hip joint and so cause pain but I've always thought RA hurt all the time if you were having a flare. This is a forum for RA people - they're the experts here so we'll appeal to them for help!

      But plain and simple bursitis may only hurt when you walk - mine didn't hurt otherwise but standing or walking was agonising. And ankles can hurt because you're walking wrong for another reason. Dare I use the word Bowen again? wink Have you tried it? I can't remember...

    • constance.de
      constance.de EileenH

      Posted

      Bowen, not yet, but have located one only 24 kms from here.  I'm certainly going to give it a whirl.

      Ankles not due to walking oddly.  They are VERY swollen and excessively sore, walking, sitting and lying (they also throb in the night).

  • dancingG
    dancingG constance.de

    Posted

    I have RA, my CRP was elvated in the beginning, but has been normal for a while. My ESR has always been normal. 
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