normal ESR & CRP but still in pain?

[Guest guest]

Thanks for those who welcomed me after my intro post.

The RN at my GP's office called this morning and said the rheumy

couldn't get me in until June - ugh. They said " if we can get some

labs, it can be next month " . So now I have to get a copy of my

records, labs, and Xrays from the pain clinic that dx'd me.

However, those labs were all WNL - especially the ESR and CRP. That

was last July, though. I've had a lot of progression since then. My

Xrays (static and dynamic) of my hands and lower back didn't show any

inflammation or degeneration. However, my neck showed a lot, which I

already knew from seeing a chiro over a year ago.

So now I wonder if, when the rheumy's office sees the labs, if

they're going to blow me off, too, like the last one in my old

state. I suppose if the pain doc dx'd me with the PsA, then they

have to take his word. He said it did it more on a " symptom and

history basis " . I was negative for HLA B27 also, so that ruled out

RA.

Anyway, I just surprised me that I showed " no inflammation " on labs

but yet I can feel so horrid. Every few weeks I add a new joint to

my growing list of issues. When I had PT, I saw on the

order " polyarthritis " and hadn't heard of it - then I looked it up

and said to myself " definitely more than five joints! " :-)

The Effexor I started on Friday gave me awful insomnia that night.

It's been better the last few nights. However, I get nausea and

stomach cramps right after I take it (even with food) and then 12 hrs

later. I'm also very, very fatigued. I hope the side effects go

away soon. Of course, being fatigued gives me a good reason to take

a nap!

The pain clinic doc said I could " exercise my way out of this

disease " . I don't think so. The PT was mainly just stretching and

strengthening. While it helps, it doesn't do much overall.

Does anyone else look okay on labs but feel awful?

Thanks again!

[Guest guest]

, my labs were within normal limits even when I had visible

inflammation, i.e. sausage digits, redness, heat, etc. and literally

could not walk.

Thank goodness both the derm and the rheumy were able to see with their

own eyes what was going on!

Sorry you're having such a rough time of it.

sherry z

> Does anyone else look okay on labs but feel awful?

>

> Thanks again!

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

>

> , my labs were within normal limits even when I had visible

> inflammation, i.e. sausage digits, redness, heat, etc. and literally

> could not walk.

Thank you! That's so good to know. I've been so frustrated over the

years when docs play the " why are you here " (accusingly) game, so I was

afraid if the rheumy saw my labs, he'd blow me off (again).

I'll just have to keep on being persistent. It's something I have to do

all the time with my DD's doctors (she has multiple disabilities).

[Guest guest]

,

I think I already wrote to you about this, but my labs were all fine, they

showed no inflammation and I still felt awful. However, the same day my Rheumy

was showing me my lab results, she was also showing me the results of the MRI

and bone scan she had me get done, and those pretty much confirmed PA, along

with my history of P and some pitting in my nails. My Rheumy was surprised that

the labs showed no inflammation, but she could see the inflammation and the pain

I was in, and the bone scan results. I think that a good Rheumatologist will

look at all your symptoms, he/she will examine the joints you have that are

swollen and will make a diagnoses based on more than just lab tests. I hope you

get in sooner than June. Good luck, and I hope you feel better soon.

from FL.

momto23weeker <momto23weeker@...> wrote:

Thanks for those who welcomed me after my intro post.

The RN at my GP's office called this morning and said the rheumy

couldn't get me in until June - ugh. They said " if we can get some

labs, it can be next month " . So now I have to get a copy of my

records, labs, and Xrays from the pain clinic that dx'd me.

However, those labs were all WNL - especially the ESR and CRP. That

was last July, though. I've had a lot of progression since then. My

Xrays (static and dynamic) of my hands and lower back didn't show any

inflammation or degeneration. However, my neck showed a lot, which I

already knew from seeing a chiro over a year ago.

So now I wonder if, when the rheumy's office sees the labs, if

they're going to blow me off, too, like the last one in my old

state. I suppose if the pain doc dx'd me with the PsA, then they

have to take his word. He said it did it more on a " symptom and

history basis " . I was negative for HLA B27 also, so that ruled out

RA.

Anyway, I just surprised me that I showed " no inflammation " on labs

but yet I can feel so horrid. Every few weeks I add a new joint to

my growing list of issues. When I had PT, I saw on the

order " polyarthritis " and hadn't heard of it - then I looked it up

and said to myself " definitely more than five joints! " :-)

The Effexor I started on Friday gave me awful insomnia that night.

It's been better the last few nights. However, I get nausea and

stomach cramps right after I take it (even with food) and then 12 hrs

later. I'm also very, very fatigued. I hope the side effects go

away soon. Of course, being fatigued gives me a good reason to take

a nap!

The pain clinic doc said I could " exercise my way out of this

disease " . I don't think so. The PT was mainly just stretching and

strengthening. While it helps, it doesn't do much overall.

Does anyone else look okay on labs but feel awful?

Thanks again!

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Hi, I just thought I would add an interesting twist to this..because my ESR and

CRP have never been normal; always high..but my xrays are always ok...except my

knees which I just recently had surgery on the right one..but my spine, hands

and feet are always okay with no damage..

I am not sure about those 2 tests...sometimes the results make no sense..but

if you give it time maybe getting the whole picture will..

Vickey

Hockey <juliejahockey@...> wrote:

,

I think I already wrote to you about this, but my labs were all fine, they

showed no inflammation and I still felt awful. However, the same day my Rheumy

was showing me my lab results, she was also showing me the results of the MRI

and bone scan she had me get done, and those pretty much confirmed PA, along

with my history of P and some pitting in my nails. My Rheumy was surprised that

the labs showed no inflammation, but she could see the inflammation and the pain

I was in, and the bone scan results. I think that a good Rheumatologist will

look at all your symptoms, he/she will examine the joints you have that are

swollen and will make a diagnoses based on more than just lab tests. I hope you

get in sooner than June. Good luck, and I hope you feel better soon.

from FL.

momto23weeker <momto23weeker@...> wrote:

Thanks for those who welcomed me after my intro post.

The RN at my GP's office called this morning and said the rheumy

couldn't get me in until June - ugh. They said " if we can get some

labs, it can be next month " . So now I have to get a copy of my

records, labs, and Xrays from the pain clinic that dx'd me.

However, those labs were all WNL - especially the ESR and CRP. That

was last July, though. I've had a lot of progression since then. My

Xrays (static and dynamic) of my hands and lower back didn't show any

inflammation or degeneration. However, my neck showed a lot, which I

already knew from seeing a chiro over a year ago.

So now I wonder if, when the rheumy's office sees the labs, if

they're going to blow me off, too, like the last one in my old

state. I suppose if the pain doc dx'd me with the PsA, then they

have to take his word. He said it did it more on a " symptom and

history basis " . I was negative for HLA B27 also, so that ruled out

RA.

Anyway, I just surprised me that I showed " no inflammation " on labs

but yet I can feel so horrid. Every few weeks I add a new joint to

my growing list of issues. When I had PT, I saw on the

order " polyarthritis " and hadn't heard of it - then I looked it up

and said to myself " definitely more than five joints! " :-)

The Effexor I started on Friday gave me awful insomnia that night.

It's been better the last few nights. However, I get nausea and

stomach cramps right after I take it (even with food) and then 12 hrs

later. I'm also very, very fatigued. I hope the side effects go

away soon. Of course, being fatigued gives me a good reason to take

a nap!

The pain clinic doc said I could " exercise my way out of this

disease " . I don't think so. The PT was mainly just stretching and

strengthening. While it helps, it doesn't do much overall.

Does anyone else look okay on labs but feel awful?

Thanks again!

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 1/3/2007 4:10:54 A.M. Pacific Standard Time,

momto23weeker@... writes:

Does anyone else look okay on labs but feel awful?

Hi ,

When I was first diagnosed, by ESR and CRP were totally normal, and they

never really got that elevated, but my hands and feet were visibly swollen...and

I felt awful. It's totally annoying though - you want the test to reflect

how you are feeling! A good rheumy will be able to feel your joints and hear

your symptoms and treat you regardless of test results:-)