Osteoarthritis or RA

[Nansea74]

s Hi I’m Nancy was diagnosed with RA and Osteoarthritis about 8 years ago. Finally found a Dr I like and he put me on Meth , I’ve been on it for 6 months now but the Osteoarthritis is flaring up I do the Arthritis cream and Tylenol Arthritis but just this last blood test he called to say my “Inflammation Marker was elevated”Does anyone know about this, could it be my Osteoarthritis and not RA

[DorsetLady]

I’ve had OA for many years, and not sure in itself it raises the blood markers significantly that much in comparison to RA. One study does say depending on the local inflammation around the joints there may be moderate increases in CRP levels.

Did have another autoimmune illness for six years (Giant Cell Arteritis) - and that does raise markers, but since that’s gone into remission - September 2016 my markers are around “normal” despite the fact my OA is still rampant - 3 joint replacement surgeries to prove it.

[Nansea74 in reply to DorsetLady]

Hi

What is Giant Cell Arterritis

Thank you for replying

[DorsetLady in reply to Nansea74]

Hi, see link -

pmrgca.co.uk/content/giant-...

GCA is classified as a large-vessel vasculitis but typically also involves medium and small arteries, particularly the superficial temporal arteries—hence the term temporal arteritis.

The cause of GCA & PMR is uncertain but it is believed to be an autoimmune disease in which the body’s own immune system attacks the connective tissues.

[Nansea74 in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you for your reply. I have Heart Disease will the high markets have any effect on heart since you mentioned

Large vasculitis

[DorsetLady in reply to Nansea74]

I doubt it - in GCA & LVV the blood vessels are narrowed by the unnatural growth of cells causing inflammation within the walls of the vessels - hence the name Giant Cell Arteritis.

That occurs because the immune system is not working correctly and so allows the body to attack itself. To stop those cells growth the patient needs to take steroids (Prednisolone) until the disease goes into remission.

In other heart conditions it is not the immune system that is at fault, but the coronary system.

Inflammation markers can be raised for all sorts of reasons, it just shows you have some inflammation in your body - anything from a stubbed toe, to a cold or virus, recovery from an operation, stress, to more serious illnesses. And can vary from being slightly elevated to very high - if your doctor just mentioned it in passing, it’s probably not considered very high.

[Nansea74 in reply to DorsetLady]

Good morning

Well the RA Dr has me coming in for more blood work. I asked if it’s possible that my system has the COVID but I don’t really have any of the things that they say you would get. Thank you for easing my mind