Inflammation blood tests

[Rockpool60]

Mine has been raised now for 10 weeks and now getting referred to Rheumatology Clinic as joints are painful and aching. Hand xrays are clear so that is good. What do you all think?

Thank you x

[Hidden]

Hi Rockpool - can't say really it's too early and we are not medics. Has your GP checked your rheumatoid factor yet? This can be a good indicator as part of your history but 25% or more come back negative and it can still be RA so don't read too much into it if you have had a negative reading - it just makes it harder to diagnose. Inflammatory markers and symptoms are important diagnostic tools but there are many arthritic conditions that can raise the inflammation markers such as post viral arthritis - which normally lasts about 12 weeks I believe but can last for longer - so try to keep an open mind and best of luck to you. Tilda x

[Rockpool60 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you TildaT for your reply. Feel like I have had the flu now for weeks and no let up my symptoms keep changing so it has been hard for the doc to pinpoint things. Did not know about post viral arthritis that is interesting too. Thank you. x

[helixhelix]

Hi there. Getting the referral is the best thing to happen as it's only the specialists who can really determine whether and which type you might have (or even might not have hopefully!). And sometimes you won't getva diagnosis straight away anyway - if you've been reading the blogs on this site you'll have read what a variable thing this is. But it could take a while to get an appointment so do speak to your GP aboUt getting anti-inflammatories and stuff for pain while you wait. Although don't dismiss the over the counter ibuprofen and stuff as taken regularly it works well. Good luck. Polly.

[Rockpool60 in reply to helixhelix]

Thank you Polly. Felt a bit of an idiot going back and fore to the docs with the aches and pains which have gone from the hips to the hands to the feet and knees and now the hands again..he has not given me anything for pain just said take paracetamol. Not great with Nurofen as tummy gets upset. Thank you for replying x

[helixhelix]

That's what they're there for! If your inflammation markers are up then you should be taking an anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen or nurofen. And if it upsets you then ask the GP for a stomach protector like omeprazole. Keep on trying. Polly.

[Rockpool60 in reply to helixhelix]

Hi Polly..thank you and I agree that is what the GP is there for...I think I have confused him with my symptoms..thank you and hope you are alright x

[collette]

Hi rockpool you do sound just like me. Originally I felt quite ill with flu like symptoms and chronic fatigue and joints pains. I had blood tests done with my Gp and they found the inflammation markers raised and continued to rise with the second. My GP put me on anti inflammatory s and pain killers and referred to a Rheumatologist who also done blood tests who found the markers rising too but nothing else. he then decided to put me on Plaqunil, but as yet still haven't got a formal diagnosis. I do feel a difference only with ease up of the flu symptoms but the pain seems to be getting worse and the fatigue. This all began last August and only seen my Rheumatologist twice so waiting to get another appointment. Like others have said being referred is the best thing for you. Joining this forum has helped so much with all info and just someone to talk too. Good luck :-))

[Rockpool60 in reply to collette]

Thank you Collette it does sound like me too....people keep saying to me because of my age that it is just the menopause etc..but this feeling is awful..and my joints take turns in hurting. Always my hands and feet with the knees elbows cheekbones hips having a turn. What has made the GP more confused is that I had severe right flank pain and blood in urine so got sent for a scan. Seems lots going on at the same time. Thank you for your help x