High Inflammation but no joint pain

[anne70]

Recently I have had blood tests showing high CRP and ESR levels (80 CRP/40ESR) but I do not have joint pain. I do feel generally unwell but my joints are not affected. Has anyone else had this? I'm worried that there is inflammation somewhere else in my body e.g. heart. Would appreciate any help. Thanks

[Azabat]

It is so tricky with auto-immune disease, I can understand your worry. The last time I had numbers like that it was because my biologic had stopped working. It could be something as simple as tweaking meds, or as complicated as an infection. Get thou to thy rheumy! I have found in the past that my crp can be high, and my joints inflamed, without any more joint pain than I have come to expect. It's a sneaky disease in part because it erodes expectations as much as joints. A cold or flu sends my numbers up, too, so is it possible you're fighting something like that?

Bats

[oldtimer]

It certainly sounds as if you have an inflammatory response to something - but not necessarily RD - urinary tract infection? chest infection? Are you on steroids which hide the body response to infection.

[anne70]

Thanks for your responses. I think maybe it was the beginnings of a chest infection - just had the results of another blood test and CRP down to 11 and ESR down to 30 so I think things are on the mend. Thanks for your help x