Inflammation #'s up, but feeling slightly better? | Arthritis Information

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I had my RD appt this afternoon.  I explained to him that for 2 weeks I was feeling much worse, then got my 4th Orencia infusion on June 3, and started feeling a bit better on June 5, which is when I had my labs done.

 
So it was especially shocking to me that my inflammation markers had gone up.  If anything, I was expecting them to decrease or stay the same.  Over the last 3 months, my labs have gone like this:
 
                            Apr     May      Jun
Sed rate (0-20)    58       47       79
CRP (0-4.9)          48.5    54.9    66.9
 
When I told my RD that I was concerned they were going up instead of down, he said not to worry about it as long as I'm feeling better.  From my point of view, I could be feeling fantastic (which I'm not) but if my inflammation is getting worse, doesn't that mean the disease process isn't under control, and also my risk of cardio or stroke issues is higher?
 
I didn't really argue with him because I want to wait and see how this treatment goes first.  But does anyone else think his attitude is a bit strange?
 
Maybe it's just me.  My temp was 100 degrees, the outside temp feels like 105 degrees, and I've been feeling woozy and nauseated all day.
hi innerglow those bloods are pretty high ..maybe as you are starting to
feell better your next bloodwork will reflect this..


Boney  

I would not feel comfortable with that comment either. I would give a call and say I had been thinking about it and was concerned. I'd ask if there are any kind of med changes that can be made to try and bring the numbers down. Also ask the questions you posted here.

Good luck!

hi innerglow i have reread and see you have high temp this maybe due
to ra or infection going on maybe worth getting checked out..

it was the purply pinky letters threw me off     Suzanne -
 
My doc said those numbers are the prime indicator of damage.  I'm voting on calling back and asking for more info.
 
Pip

Hey Pip...maybe I'm herxing...jk.  You know I love ya!

I actually think this appt was overall pretty unsatisfying and that's because he rushed through it.  He doesn't usually, but sometimes it happens.  It was the end of the day, and the temp here is high, bad thunderstorms on the way, two of his staff are pregnant, and I just think it was one of those days.  He's been a great doctor for me for 8 years now, and I think I'm gonna give him a pass until the next appt.  Partially because I want to see if these numbers reflected my bad two weeks instead of the improvement I felt just as the blood was being taken. 

At my next appt, he'd better be ready to answer my questions on this, because I'm not going to let it slide any further than that.  I also think he was just relieved to hear me say there's been any improvement in how I feel after a bajillion appts where I said "no change".  But if he doesn't start making sense next time, I will be ready to move on if I have to.
 
I just wanted to make sure I had my facts straight before the next appt.
 
Boney, you know I'm thinking more about the infection idea, and you may have a point.  While a 100 degree temp isn't unusual for me, my white blood cells are high (which can be the meds) and I have also been excessively tired lately.  I don't seem to have any other infectious-type symptoms, but I'll keep an eye out.  Especially if my letters start turning pink! Innerglow
I hope you feel better. I would call back probably irritated especially if you felt like your appointment was rushed...
You are worth it. Please take care!
:)
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