Blood test

[jaqi1]

Hi all I still don't understand this horrible disease. Does anyone of you have good blood results but are still in a lot of pain. If so why are we still in pain.

[oldtimer]

It does seem quite common. There was a good article on the RA Warrior about the fact that most people said to be in medication controlled remission still have pain.

So what the medics call remission is, in fact, just the test results not showing an inflammatory response. That is probably a good thing and suggests that damage to the joints is not continuing...but sometimes it is but at a slower rate.

It is always a good idea to take photos and keep a record of what is happening between appointments if your blood tests are OK. I found that I was much more likely to be believed that I had painful swollen joints if I had a photo to show as they said ..."but your tests are normal".

[Riedenise]

my bloods don't show when I'm in pain and when my joints are swollen either. Three weeks ago I had ultrasound on bothe wrists and hands , the Radiographer said and showed me the inflammation I had in both hands, but my bloods haven't shown this.

[Someonesmother]

yes and as I am off all meds because of recent heart issues I will be interested to see what they say next week when I see rheumy as I am in a world of pain and swollen. My bloods are usually normal even when I had pericarditis, all normal!

[Gillian15649]

My specialist says he treats the patient not the blood test? He asks me how I feel and what I need help with. I am clinically in remission but still have pain. My bloods are usually good. I really like his approach.

[Marykate7 in reply to Gillian15649]

Sounds like a really good specialist, I wonder if he has a family member suffering with RA that helps him empathise?

[Gillian15649 in reply to Marykate7]

I don't think so but he is near retirement age and is brilliant. I was so ill when I first saw him after GP saying just take paracetamol and you will be fine for months. I know I am very lucky to have his help

[Marykate7 in reply to Gillian15649]

Does sound a good un a pity he's so near retirement!

[Thegreywitch]

I take photo's on my phone of very swollen joints, because when a health professional sees me they never seem to be swollen then. I feel a fraud but at least this gives me proof if im not flaring or if my bloods dont show anything.

[Fra22-57]

Yes so am told and I just can't get my head round that.My hands swell with inflammation at the wrists etc.some days I can't bend my foot and now getting pain in upper back besides the usual places

[Bookworm55]

One issue with me is that x rays of my feet and one hand taken before diagnosis last Feb showed OA in all 3. So, as my rheumy explained, even though my inflammation levels are now low, due to mtx and hydroxychloroquine -plus steroids for a while- I still get pain and some swelling in these and other joints. I guess the damage has already been done.

[Marykate7]

Yes me too. My blood tests are always normal. I don't hav pain when I see the rheumatologist or swelling. It's so frustrating

[Elmo333]

I have the opposite issue, my bloods are always bad even when I'm not in pain or visibly swollen!