Hi all ☺
Hope this finds you rested and well?
I picked up my recent blood results:
CRP 25.1 was 1.8
ESR 66 was 34
SODIUM 131 was 140
My last test was 3 weeks ago.
I've been on 90mg etoricoxib since 24th May, just after my previous blood test.
Should I be concerned?
I'm taking 25mg mtx too.
I wouldn't be worried, but just aware that it could suggest your current meds aren't controlling things well enough. It may well be a short term flare or infection - do you have any signs of one? Then it will settle down again soon and you'll be back to where you were.
But if not, then you need to discuss how effective your current treatment plan is with your rheumy team. The low sodium could be a result of the NSAIDs, or drinking loads of water, and again one result that's a little low is just something g to keep an eye on rather than worry about.
Hi helixhelix, thanks for your reply. I've been flaring since last December! Things haven't settled down yet and I now have pain or swelling, or both, in all joints.
Hiya Moomin. Are you thinking it's the etoricoxib which has caused the inflammatory readings to rise? If so I shouldn't think it is. Your other readings, how were they? If they were away from your norm that may be telling. Whilst the etoricoxib should be lowering your ESR & CRP that it isn't suggests you could be harbouring an infection though you may not be aware you have one.
As your last bloods were 3 weeks ago I take it you'll have another next week? If there's another rise in those your nurse should contact you to discuss so til then don't worry. Last time I had an increase in MTX my levels rose considerably for me & I rarely show actual inflammation in my bloods but then the following fortnight they had reduced, not back to normal but peaked then started falling again (apart from my LFT but that's another story!).
It could be that MTX isn't enough, unless you're in flare. Again the next test should be more telling. x
Hi nomoreheels, thanks for your reply. I'm still flaring since diagnosis last December! My other bloods seem ok-within normal levels. I did double my mtx about 2 months ago. I won't be having a blood test next week as I'll be on my honeymoon! Getting married this Friday! ! I'm not taking mtx today, as I would usually, or next week because I will have a drink when I get married and I'm on an all inclusive cruise 😆
Congratulations. have a lovely wedding and a fantastic honeymoon.
You must be so excited.
My last bloods showed CRP 67.3 sodium 128, and ESR 73.
but my RA is not controlled at the moment. See what your next bloods show, maybe you are under medicated at the moment and it needs adjusting you can discuss it with your rheumy team after the honeymoon.
best wishes, Smithfield.
Oh gosh, something else that's crept up on me, where does the time go? I knew it was sometime soon but not that soon! So of course you won't have another bloods before but I would check with your Rheumy or nurse, even though you're not taking your MTX it might be that you continue the etoricoxib, that's if you haven't already been told so, plus any other meds you take regularly.
What time are you getting married? Just so I can think of you when the time comes. x
Swelling and pain without raised crp or esr
ESR levels and infections
The continuing debate about CRP and ESR, my experience...so far.
Blood Tests (CRP ESR) Levels: Whats Normal?
