Hi,
I'm wondering if anyone can tell me how high their Sed Rate & C-Reactive Protein gets during a pain flare?

I have a long history of back & neck pain and now I'm having joint pain as well.

My RF & Ana are neg, but my Sed Rate & C-Reactive Protein continues to be high. (Latest C-Reactive Protein was 31.6 and Sed Rate was 28).
Two years ago they were about the same, so now I'm being sent to a Rheumatologist.

My doc said the C-Reactive Protein was more definitive than the Sed Rate because the Sed Rate can be falsely low if the tube of blood sits in the lab to long. He said he was concerned because the C-Reactive Protein continues to run very high and this indicates inflammation, possibly Rhuematory Arthritis even though my RF was negative.

I ran a search about C-Reactive Protein, but I didn't find anyone with results as high or higher than mine.

Thanks

Hi Sammie Joe,
I have had elevated C reactives when my RA is not under control and never had a positive RF yet, I am considered seronegative. You will probably do well to see a rheumatologist for help with your symptoms, my C-reactive has been 25 more or less and then goes down to 10 and sometimes to a 4. It is considered a sign of inflammation and that is what can cause the joint pains that you are describing. Good luck, hope you get some help from the rheumatologist.
Donna70

Thanks Donna for your help.

How long can you have RA without testing positive for RF? Do people who test negative initially ever turn positive?
Are there any other test that can indicate RA or what is causing the inflammation?

Thanks in advance.

Hi Sammie Joe,
Wish I had some definitive answers for you. I have had RA since before 1990, you will find many people go years without being diagnosed properly. So, my rheumy doesn't even test me for RF anymore. She knows my multiple joint swelling is from RA esp with my C-reactive values and also when I first got diagnosed my sed rate was like 76 and I could hardly move. Everyone is different and there are many forms of arthritis and auto-immune disorders. I don't know of other tests except many times people will show erosions of their joints on x-rays and synovial fullness etc. RA can do a lot of damage so you have a good dr who is sending you to a specialist now!!! not an expert, just a member of a club you don't really want to belong to, but I have learned a lot from others with it. take care and post the results of the rheumy visit!!
Donna70

my crp was never as high as yours my sed rate hit 60, but now with taking a combo of prednisone plaquenil & enbrel why sed rate has been staying between 27 & 30

I hope they find the right combo to help control it for u

my crp was never as high as yours my sed rate hit 60, but now with taking a combo of prednisone plaquenil & enbrel why sed rate has been staying between 27 & 30

I hope they find the right combo to help control it for u



Hi,
Thanks for the help.
I'm really hoping that the rheumy will find something to treat, because this pain S**ks.

I have had the same increase in the sed rate & crp for around 2 years now despite taking large amounts of anti- inflammatories.

Lately though, my joints are aching & burning so bad that I can barely move.

I'll update you after seeing the rheumy.

Thanks again:angel: