Guest guest Posted November 30, 1999 Report Share Posted November 30, 1999 Hi Kyla, It's a funny thing that ESR, in theory it should be up when one is worse and vice versa but I have found it is not always such a good indicator in that respect. But then maybe that's my peculiarity I always was a bit strange, though I have heard other's say that too. Please note all those fellas who like baiting me (cause I 'rise' so well!:-))) that this is not an opportunity for you to tease me!!!:-))) Sure if one is really ill it will rocket, no doubt about that, but there can be times when one feels lousy and it isn't always reflected in the ESR. An elevated ESR doesn't only come with Arthritis it's a 'general' sign that all is not well with the body. Normal? What's that !!!!! <grin> I'm not very keen on Dr's who talk about 'normal' as we are all so different and respond accordingly and how on earth do you determine if you fit into the 'normal' range? I'm quite happy for them to say " ..in my experience, " but to make us feel we are abnormal if we don't conform to their pat little statistics........grrr. Who the heck want's to be 'normal' anyway, I'm unique !! Warren will tell you I've got that wrong .... " she's weird " would be his evalutation !! :-)) As for your Kyla, LUCKY LADY !!! <big smile> I/we would be delighted to be in your shoes. Take joy in the fact that your ESR is not elevated and get right onto the AP quick smart, so we can look forward to hearing that you now longer have any pain either.........REAL soon <warm hug> good luck and take care, hugs, lisbeth >From: " Kyla MacKenzie " <celticfox@...> >Just a quick question about the ESR test. Does the ESR tend to >rise and fall as inflammation waxes and wanes? In other words, if >I have an ESR test done while I am having joint pain, should I >expect it to be lower when it is done during a pain free period? >Does someone with mild arthritis usually have a lower ESR than >someone with severe arthritis? Perhaps it's just the presence of >the bacterial infection that causes the ESR to be elevated and >not so much the joint pain itself? > >My ESR is always the same, regardless of whether I am completely >pain free or not. Is this normal? > >I should mention that I am not on AP, but hope to start soon. > >Thanks, >~Kyla > >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 30, 1999 Report Share Posted November 30, 1999 Kyla, I don't know whether it's normal or not, but it does happen. I'm one of those weird people who constantly gets negative tests (makes dealing with insurance companies hell), and I've never had an elevated ESR that I know of, even though I've been tested at times when I had huge, inflamed joints and terrible pain. Can't figure that one out myself and I'd love an answer as to why this occurs but it does occur. Hugs, a Peden Kyla MacKenzie wrote: > Does the ESR tend to rise and fall as inflammation waxes and wanes? In other words, if I have an ESR test done while I am having joint pain, should I expect it to be lower when it is done during a pain free period? Does someone with mild arthritis usually have a lower ESR than > someone with severe arthritis? Perhaps it's just the presence of > the bacterial infection that causes the ESR to be elevated and > not so much the joint pain itself? My ESR is always the same, regardless of whether I am completely pain free or not. Is this normal? > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 30, 1999 Report Share Posted November 30, 1999 >Please note all those fellas who like baiting me (cause I 'rise' so >well!:-))) that this is not an opportunity for you to tease me!!!:-))) > Oh shucks, Lisbeth, I already had my finger on the reply button, but I'll behave. <Big grin> Ute Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 30, 1999 Report Share Posted November 30, 1999 Hmmm that's interesting, when exactly did you become a 'fella' Ute ??!!! Even bigger grin!!! huggles, lisbeth PS Behaving is no fun Ute, I wouldn't if I was you:-)) >From: Ute Reeves <nowyoga@...> >Oh shucks, Lisbeth, >I already had my finger on the reply button, but I'll behave. ><Big grin> >Ute >>Please note all those fellas who like baiting me (cause I 'rise' so >>well!:-))) that this is not an opportunity for you to tease me!!!:-))) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 30, 1999 Report Share Posted November 30, 1999 hI Kayla, For me I always had joint pain with a SED of 3 and CRP of .04. Never had any stiffness. This was true for almost four years after diagnosis of RA. But...after starting the doxi and my SED jumped to 70 and my CRP went to 92 the stiffness that I had always heard about but never experience for years set in. Boy oh boy did it set in. The higher numbers are definatly a measure stiffness and gelling for me but not for joint pain! At 09:03 AM 11/30/99 -0500, you wrote: >From: " Kyla MacKenzie " <celticfox@...> > >Hello all, > >Just a quick question about the ESR test. Does the ESR tend to >rise and fall as inflammation waxes and wanes? In other words, if >I have an ESR test done while I am having joint pain, should I >expect it to be lower when it is done during a pain free period? >Does someone with mild arthritis usually have a lower ESR than >someone with severe arthritis? Perhaps it's just the presence of >the bacterial infection that causes the ESR to be elevated and >not so much the joint pain itself? > >My ESR is always the same, regardless of whether I am completely >pain free or not. Is this normal? > >I should mention that I am not on AP, but hope to start soon. > >Thanks, >~Kyla > >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 25, 2003 Report Share Posted November 25, 2003 > Can anyone tell me what a value of 48 for ESR is? Is this good or > bad? Is there a range? > > Thank you for your help. > Sharon Hi Sharon. From what my docs and the lab says, the " normal' ESR range is 1-15 for men, 1-20 for women. I had an ESR of 23 which my RA doc thought was " high normal " . Here is a site I found that might help explain it for you. There is so much information out there on the web...but I always double check withother sites and my physician to make sure I'm not getting false info. http://uwcme.org/courses/rheumatology/rheumlab/esr.html Best of luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 9, 2003 Report Share Posted December 9, 2003 Hi, all! In order to see what the range is FOR THE PARTICULAR TEST you MUST HAVE A COPY OF YOUR LAB REPORTS!! The lab reports give reference ranges out to the side of the test results. For instance, your ESR was 23 and out to the side, it should say: Reference range (or normal range) 1-20. It all depends on which test the lab uses and they most assuredly do not use the same tests!! Also, the computer SHOULD highlight any high or low numbers so that the doc can immediately see it. It is usually done with an " H " for high, or " L " for low next to the number. I ALWAYS get a copy of my labs as docs and techs aren't nearly as careful at reading my reports as I am:)! And, I almost consented to get on ARAVA (DMARD) because my stupid rheumie and her office did not pay attention to the lab's warnings that they had changed Rh. factor tests and thus reference ranges were different!!! Every page of my 5 page report had this warning in capital letters-since they misread the report, and the numbers, they assumed my Rh Factor had gone up when I was sure I was getting better. I read them the riot act when I got a copy of my labs-IDIOTS!!! How many people were overmedicated or unnecessarily medicated because of their mistakes?! So, my opinion-GET A COPY OF YOUR LABS-it ain't rocket science-it's very easy to read. If you don't know what an abbreviation is (like ESR) just call and ask a lab technician or this group! Good luck to all! Sally in Little Rock rheumatic Re: ESR > > > Can anyone tell me what a value of 48 for ESR is? Is this good or > > bad? Is there a range? > > > > Thank you for your help. > > Sharon > > Hi Sharon. From what my docs and the lab says, the " normal' ESR > range is 1-15 for men, 1-20 for women. > > I had an ESR of 23 which my RA doc thought was " high normal " . > > Here is a site I found that might help explain it for you. There is > so much information out there on the web...but I always double check > withother sites and my physician to make sure I'm not getting false > info. > > http://uwcme.org/courses/rheumatology/rheumlab/esr.html > > Best of luck! > > > > To unsubscribe, email: rheumatic-unsubscribeegroups > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 9, 2003 Report Share Posted December 9, 2003 > Hi, all! > > In order to see what the range is FOR THE PARTICULAR TEST you MUST HAVE A > COPY OF YOUR LAB REPORTS!! > > The lab reports give reference ranges out to the side of the test results. > For instance, your ESR was 23 and out to the side, it should say: Reference > range (or normal range) 1-20. It all depends on which test the lab uses and > they most assuredly do not use the same tests!! Also, particularly if you live out in the country and your local doc draws your blood and sends to the county hospital for testing, make sure that your blood is tested within an hour of being drawn. This is particularly important for sed rates. It's the reason I no longer have my local doc out in the boonies draw my blood. Instead I travel the 25 miles over the mountain to the hospital lab itself. Anything over an hour can skew the labs to the low side dramatically. Once when I was hurting badly, the locals tested my sed rate - came back around 10. I didn't believe it and so went to the hospital myself and had it redone - turned out to actually be 73. So query your local doc out in the boonies and talk to your lab techs about this. Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 5, 2004 Report Share Posted March 5, 2004 Steve 90 is high normal is in the single didgits ,its little different depending on age and sex but yeah single didgits is the goal.When last tested mine was 75 but was down to 9 ,which is probally why i was feeling so good now little more sore ect.My rhumy uses it as a gauge on how active the disease is but personally i dont think its very good marker myself(i sure hope they can find a specific test for Stills then would be alot easier)Mines been high a few times now and confuses me why i can still feel good or at least half decent.Take care. d.Canada ESR I had my ESR done for the first time last week and it came back as 90. I'mjust wondering what everybody elses is so I can get some sort of idea as tohow bad it is.Normall I just have CRP done.SteveVisit the Still's Disease Message Boardhttp://disc.server.com/Indices/148599.htmlThe materials and information contained in this message are not intended to replace the services of a trained health professional or to be a substitute for medical advice of physicians and/or other health care professionals. The International Still's Disease Foundation is not engaged in rendering medical or professional medical services. You should consult your physician on specific medical questions, particularly in matters requiring diagnosis or medical attention. The International Still's Disease Foundation makes no representations or warranties with respect to any treatment, action, application, medication or preparation by any person following the information offered or provided within this support form. ion by any person following the information offered or provided within this support form. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 5, 2004 Report Share Posted March 5, 2004 Steve 90 is high normal is in the single didgits ,its little different depending on age and sex but yeah single didgits is the goal.When last tested mine was 75 but was down to 9 ,which is probally why i was feeling so good now little more sore ect.My rhumy uses it as a gauge on how active the disease is but personally i dont think its very good marker myself(i sure hope they can find a specific test for Stills then would be alot easier)Mines been high a few times now and confuses me why i can still feel good or at least half decent.Take care. d.Canada ESR I had my ESR done for the first time last week and it came back as 90. I'mjust wondering what everybody elses is so I can get some sort of idea as tohow bad it is.Normall I just have CRP done.SteveVisit the Still's Disease Message Boardhttp://disc.server.com/Indices/148599.htmlThe materials and information contained in this message are not intended to replace the services of a trained health professional or to be a substitute for medical advice of physicians and/or other health care professionals. The International Still's Disease Foundation is not engaged in rendering medical or professional medical services. You should consult your physician on specific medical questions, particularly in matters requiring diagnosis or medical attention. The International Still's Disease Foundation makes no representations or warranties with respect to any treatment, action, application, medication or preparation by any person following the information offered or provided within this support form. ion by any person following the information offered or provided within this support form. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 7, 2008 Report Share Posted October 7, 2008 My Rheumy is always checking my ESR level and if it is under 10 she tells me I am fine. Is this a standard marker or is everyone different? Is it a point in time test so if I have inflammation the previous week will it pick it up in my blood test? I had 8 last week after quite possibly the worst month for pain I have ever had. I had taken steroids for the days leading up to the test so would that skew the result? I also had a CCP of over 2000 which I have read indicates I have a more destructive disease. Does anyone know anything about this? Sorry for the silly questions, but my rheumy is a bit of a dud and I don't go to my new one until next week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 7, 2008 Report Share Posted October 7, 2008 Hi Cheryl, ESR is also known as SED rate. It, along with C Reactive Protein or CRP are indicators of current inflammation. Doesn't tell you what happened last week or even yesterday. It's a measure that tells the doctor you have ongoing inflammation. Yes, if you are on Prednisone and the Pred. is reducing your inflammation, those readings will be lower. These tests are used in conjunction with other tests and clinical examination to determine if you have RA or any other related type disease. If you're not comfortable with what your Rheumy is teling you, ask the right questions and if they don't give you answers you are not comfortable with, then maybe you need another opinion or maybe a new Rheumy. I wish you all the best with finding relief from your pain. Bob > > My Rheumy is always checking my ESR level and if it is under 10 she > tells me I am fine. Is this a standard marker or is everyone > different? Is it a point in time test so if I have inflammation the > previous week will it pick it up in my blood test? I had 8 last week > after quite possibly the worst month for pain I have ever had. I had > taken steroids for the days leading up to the test so would that skew > the result? I also had a CCP of over 2000 which I have read indicates > I have a more destructive disease. Does anyone know anything about > this? Sorry for the silly questions, but my rheumy is a bit of a dud > and I don't go to my new one until next week. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 7, 2008 Report Share Posted October 7, 2008 Thanks Bob. I am off to a new rheumy on Monday. Maybe this one will answer my questions and not think of me as an irritation. Wish me luck > > Hi Cheryl, > ESR is also known as SED rate. It, along with C Reactive Protein or > CRP are indicators of current inflammation. Doesn't tell you what > happened last week or even yesterday. It's a measure that tells the > doctor you have ongoing inflammation. Yes, if you are on Prednisone > and the Pred. is reducing your inflammation, those readings will be > lower. These tests are used in conjunction with other tests and > clinical examination to determine if you have RA or any other related > type disease. > If you're not comfortable with what your Rheumy is teling you, ask the > right questions and if they don't give you answers you are not > comfortable with, then maybe you need another opinion or maybe a new > Rheumy. > I wish you all the best with finding relief from your pain. > Bob > > --- In , " dcheryl22 " <cheryl.dines@> wrote: > > > > My Rheumy is always checking my ESR level and if it is under 10 she > > tells me I am fine. Is this a standard marker or is everyone > > different? Is it a point in time test so if I have inflammation the > > previous week will it pick it up in my blood test? I had 8 last week > > after quite possibly the worst month for pain I have ever had. I had > > taken steroids for the days leading up to the test so would that skew > > the result? I also had a CCP of over 2000 which I have read indicates > > I have a more destructive disease. Does anyone know anything about > > this? Sorry for the silly questions, but my rheumy is a bit of a dud > > and I don't go to my new one until next week. > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 8, 2008 Report Share Posted October 8, 2008 Hi Cheryl and Bob, Think Cheryl's measurement is CCP , a sensitive relatively modern marker, for some patients with early arthritis, that RA is the likely diagnosis . It is an antibody marker like the rheumatoid factor. As well as suggesting that over time untreated,joint damage may be particularly likely in this group, it also may suggest that some biologicals will be effective for particular patients. For ongoing monitoring it is usually the ESR and CRP which are more helpful, but only in conjunction with clinical findings and symptoms. My friend had a 'lag effect' with her ESR by several months of developing the disease!! This surprised me , and I learned from it (it is never too late to learn!) because active inflammation was definitely visibly and painfully going on for some time before it rose significantly. By the way ESR is only an indirect measurement of inflammation . It simply measures the rate at which the red blood cells settle due to gravity. Other variables such as anaemia may also affect the ESR.It is accepted that ESR monitoring of activity is a good guide for many but not all. CRP is probably the most 'on the day' measurement of inflammation but is easily affected by other acute illness, not just RA.  Hope this helps, UK retired doc (non rheum) From: fullwave2 <w8nyy.1@...> Subject: [ ] Re: ESR Date: Wednesday, 8 October, 2008, 1:18 AM Hi Cheryl, ESR is also known as SED rate. It, along with C Reactive Protein or CRP are indicators of current inflammation. Doesn't tell you what happened last week or even yesterday. It's a measure that tells the doctor you have ongoing inflammation. Yes, if you are on Prednisone and the Pred. is reducing your inflammation, those readings will be lower. These tests are used in conjunction with other tests and clinical examination to determine if you have RA or any other related type disease. If you're not comfortable with what your Rheumy is teling you, ask the right questions and if they don't give you answers you are not comfortable with, then maybe you need another opinion or maybe a new Rheumy. I wish you all the best with finding relief from your pain. Bob > > My Rheumy is always checking my ESR level and if it is under 10 she > tells me I am fine. Is this a standard marker or is everyone > different? Is it a point in time test so if I have inflammation the > previous week will it pick it up in my blood test? I had 8 last week > after quite possibly the worst month for pain I have ever had. I had > taken steroids for the days leading up to the test so would that skew > the result? I also had a CCP of over 2000 which I have read indicates > I have a more destructive disease. Does anyone know anything about > this? Sorry for the silly questions, but my rheumy is a bit of a dud > and I don't go to my new one until next week. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 8, 2008 Report Share Posted October 8, 2008 Thanks Chris! This is really helpful > > From: fullwave2 <w8nyy.1@...> > Subject: [ ] Re: ESR > > Date: Wednesday, 8 October, 2008, 1:18 AM > > > > > > > Hi Cheryl, > ESR is also known as SED rate. It, along with C Reactive Protein or > CRP are indicators of current inflammation. Doesn't tell you what > happened last week or even yesterday. It's a measure that tells the > doctor you have ongoing inflammation. Yes, if you are on Prednisone > and the Pred. is reducing your inflammation, those readings will be > lower. These tests are used in conjunction with other tests and > clinical examination to determine if you have RA or any other related > type disease. > If you're not comfortable with what your Rheumy is teling you, ask the > right questions and if they don't give you answers you are not > comfortable with, then maybe you need another opinion or maybe a new > Rheumy. > I wish you all the best with finding relief from your pain. > Bob > > --- In @gro ups.com, " dcheryl22 " <cheryl.dines@ ...> wrote: > > > > My Rheumy is always checking my ESR level and if it is under 10 she > > tells me I am fine. Is this a standard marker or is everyone > > different? Is it a point in time test so if I have inflammation the > > previous week will it pick it up in my blood test? I had 8 last week > > after quite possibly the worst month for pain I have ever had. I had > > taken steroids for the days leading up to the test so would that skew > > the result? I also had a CCP of over 2000 which I have read indicates > > I have a more destructive disease. Does anyone know anything about > > this? Sorry for the silly questions, but my rheumy is a bit of a dud > > and I don't go to my new one until next week. > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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