I am new to this board. I usually post to the MS board. I have been sick for almost 2 years, was finally dx with MS in Oct 2003. My ANA has been postive at 160 for this entire time and my sed rate has been rising for years. Since I have been sick it has risen to 102 and goes down to 67. Basically it goes up and down but never to the normal range. I am 47. I have been tested for Lupus and everything else. I sent to a rhemalogist but he just wanted to tell me how overweiht I was. My joints are not swollen. A couple of years ago I had a partially torn rotartor cuff and was told then that I had some artharitis. I was put on different meds. I have IBS so they all give me stomach problems and didn't much help. I was taking Celebrex when these labs were starting to go up. And I am not on it now and it remains the same. I do also have carpal tunnel in my right arm. I have been having alot of trouble with my left arm. I take nerutoin for the pain. The neurtologist says that it is nerve pain but I think it may be a combination. I can not move it pass my shoulder. Almost like someone that has had a stroke. My primary is very concerned about my sed rate but doesn't know what else to do. Any suggestions? He and all my other docs say that it is not specfic and it just says that there is inflammation somewhere. But where, and how do I find out where? My friend's was high and she had cancer. Please HELP. :confused:

Sed rate doesnt always have to do with it. There are many people with RA who never have a high sed rate and who never have high ANA test. Im one of them. Its called sero-negative RA. If your sed rate is high and your doctor is concerned, Id have him/her refer you to a new Rheumatologist. If this one says for you to lose weight, tell him or her that you will concentrate on that once you can move again! Stopping from living in pain (and controlling your RA) should be the priority instead of weight loss. Sometimes a doctor doesnt have a good bedside manner, which is what seems to be the problem with your old RD.... find one that will care about the pain you are in! Then stick with them until you are feeling better.

Good luck & I hope you start feeling better soon.

~Meg