Help...

[Samsox]

Does anyone know if a raised ESR is an indication of Fibromyalgia? Mine is 14 on a range of 3-9 also I have a underactive Thyroid.... I ache all the time, very tired with arthritis, painful muscles and joints for a year now... Doctors are baffled... Who could I ask to see? Thanks Sam

[Hidden]

I don't know what an ESR score is but if you have pain then you can google fibro and look for the trigger points in all four parts of the body, if you get that then you have fibro. In order to have it diagnosed officially you can ask your GP to refer you to a consultant rheumatologist. Sue

[Samsox in reply to Hidden]

Hi Sue, thank you for your input... Yes going to see doctor next week as I've had enough of being passed around... Here is a link that explains ESR nhs.uk/Conditions/Blood-tes...

Cheers xx

[Hidden in reply to Samsox]

Oh yes, I didn't realise it was called that! I'm not sure whether I have had it but sod's law that I find by the time I get an appointment at my GP the inflammation has passed and I'm feeling better for a few days, just hurting with arthritis but not fibro! x

[Samsox in reply to Hidden]

Lol Sod's law

[TheAuthor]

Hi Samox

I am so sorry to read that you are having these issues at the present time and I genuinely hope that you can find some resolution and relief to the problem.

I have also googled NHS Choices raised ESR and so many different things come up? Including endocarditis, so it probably is another trip to see your GP to find out for certain? As we are not doctors and cannot make a diagnosis.

I want to wish you all the best of luck with this problem.

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken x

[Samsox in reply to TheAuthor]

Hi Ken, thank you for your kind words... Yes if I don't get answers from the GP then I feel I really need to see a specialist x

[ninjananna]

Hi Sam! When I started having problems before my diagnosis my ESR was 61!! It was then that my Dr refered me to see a rheumatolagist but was misdiagnosed the first time!! Do persevere and ask questions, Google symptoms and keep seeing your Dr until you have the answers you need! For most of us it takes a long time being pushed from pillar to post but the bottom line is that when you know something isn't right you need answers!! Much love....ninja...

[Samsox in reply to ninjananna]

Hi Ninja, thank you for your words of encouragement and yes I will not give up until I find out what is wrong with me... Sam x

[Hidden]

Hi Samsox - I've had raised ESR results but I'm not familiar with the range that you have been given (although mine was a fair while ago and it's probably changed). The one that I was talked through for women was this:

Age 18 around 18

Age 55 around 21.

I was told that around 5% of the population is over the 'normal' stated for no known reason. Mine was very much higher but my GP wasn't bothered and still seemed to think it was within some kind of tolerance that he didn't deign to explain despite my request that he do so (he's very good at changing the subject and I'm really rubbish at insisting - now have husband go with me to be more persistent). Mine appears to vary (the ESR result not the GP or husband - although come to think of it the GP is rather moody). I seemed to bruise easily when the ESR result was higher although it was only measured twice so not statistically that valid. I also get a lot of tendonitis when my fibro is at it's worst. Would be good to know how much any of this is connected. Sorry - hope I'm not rambling too much!

I hope you get some more information from your doctor - be good to hear how you get on. Good luck.

DDx

[Samsox in reply to Hidden]

Hi DD, I think different hospitals have different ranges... Mine say between 3-9 so in my eyes my result of 14 is high... Going to see doctor with my daughter on Monday as like you it helps to have someone to back you up... Not been well since last summer so feeling very drained plus my Thyroid played up this winter yet again I hope to win yet another battle with the doctors in hope that one day the war will be over when I get a proper diagnosis of what's up with me and offered help if there is any... Thank you for your kind words xx

[Hidden in reply to Samsox]

Not much fun feeling like that. Glad you have your daughter to be there for you. I totally agree - if it isn't in the range they state as being normal then you are perfectly valid in thinking it is high. What's the point of a normal range otherwise? Might as well make it up! Although I sometimes wonder if they do...! At least that was how I felt about it when trying to prise some info out of my GP at the time. You certainly deserve to get some kind of explanation and a diagnosis. Isn't it awful how so many of us have to see it as a 'battle'? So frustrating. Ah well, fingers are (metaphorically) crossed for you! x

[Samsox in reply to Hidden]

Yes it's crazy... I know the NHS is drained but surely it better to find out what's causing my symptoms sooner rather than later just in case there is something than can be done... Thank you for your positive thoughts xx

[mitziblue]

Mine is always 3 times the high point. So I'd say yes. Sweetheart it sounds like you may indeed have Fibromyalgia. Look at your finger nails and count your half moons near your cuticles and out of 10 how many do you have? I have 3 out of 10. I once read that was a sign of having Fibromyalgia. Hope this helps. Please get tested and if your family doctor can't give you any relief get him or her to refer you to a pain clinic. It's made my life bearable. Best of luck!!! xxxx Mitzi

[Samsox in reply to mitziblue]

Hi Mitiz, yes I think I have too... I only have moons on my thumbs but I have noticed fine lines in my nails... I have appointment for pain clinic in June after begging various doctors to refer me after 6 months...it's a nightmare to get referrals but I won't give up, I believe I should see a Rhymatoidoligist if that's how you spell it lol thanks for your input x

[mitziblue in reply to Samsox]

Well sweetheart you are half the way there It will help once they find a medicine that works for you!!! So glad you are over that hurdle!!! xxx Mitzi

[Samsox in reply to mitziblue]

Yes your right, knowing what's wrong will help and also medication if my condition can be treated... Thanks again :-)) x

[mitziblue in reply to Samsox]

You are so very welcome!!! Just glad I found this site, it makes me feel useful again

[Samsox in reply to mitziblue]

Bless you, well you cheered me up... Yes it's a brilliant site, maybe one day I'll feel the same x

[hamble99b]

chat to your gp and ask him/her to explain the ranges and what your results mean. we can suggest things but not medically qualified, ( and no means of checking out any member who claims to be.)

I know if my esr is raised it can be because I've had/got an infection .

[Samsox in reply to hamble99b]

Hi and thanks, it's well above range... Going to see doctor on Monday if no joy then going to ask for referral to specialist x

[Mdaisy]

Hello Samsox,

Please can I provide you with this link written by the FibroAction founder Lindsey Middlemiss which talks about ESR;

healthunlocked.com/fibroact...

If you would like to read our 'All about Fibro' series of factsheets which has evidence based information about Fibro;

fibroaction.org/Pages/About...

I think others will join me in saying being as informed as possible as a patient can help you move forward and get the treatment you may need.

I hope this helps

Emma

FibroAction Administrator

[Samsox in reply to Mdaisy]

Hi Emma thank you for your advice and links, I will have a proper read tomorrow... My double vision is playing up the past few days x

[Samsox]

Thank you, I think the way forward is to see a specialist as all the doctors are doing are conflicting each other while I'm being passed around like a test tube yo yo lol x

[Samsox]

Yes, you have to make light of it sometimes, as there is always someone worse off... Thank you for your wishes x