my sed rate is 25 is this very high

Hi there Tonya,

Whoa Lymes!  Ouch.  That's the road I went down as well.  Was untreated for 10 years; went into chronic neuro Lyme; treated finally in 2001 but was left with RA, nerve disorders, seizure disorders and a lot of arthritic problems. So I definitely know where you're coming from.

So the sed rate is 25.  sed rates range from 0-20mm/h and then for folks over 50 the range is 0-30mm/h.  Sed rate is not a diagnostic of any particular disease, but rather is an indication that a disease process is ongoing and needs investigation.  It's a good tool to follow inflammatory processes.  It is VERY useful in diagnosing RA and polymyalgia rheumatica too. 

With that said...you most likely have something going on here in terms of inflammatory disease.

What were your Lyme titers?

An elevated sed can indicate infection, thus the doc's thinking of Lymes.

An elevated sed can also show in:

Lupus, TB, Pelvic inflammatory disease, heart attack, pregnancy, nephritis, anemia, RA, gout, hypo and hyperthyroidism.

Also, certain drugs can cause an increase like: heparin, coumadin, birth control pills.  Menstruation and having high cholesterol can also cause the sed to raise as well.

What tests did you have ruling out the RA???  Are you having joint problems?

Lymes disease, like any bacteria, over time causes arthritis if left untreated or mistreated.  And the Lyme bacteria LOVES joints!!!!!  That's where they spiral and drill their buggy way into!

It is possible to have chronic Lymes despite prior treatment.

The sed rate is worth your looking into and pursuing especially if you do not feel well.  Have the ELISA, western blot and Lyme titers drawn.  Better safe than sorry.

Also, I had wonderful results with a neurologist who not only treated my Lymes but also the arthritis too.

Lord only knows what diseases lead to another!

What type of doc do you see?

My best to you Prewitt.  Please write back when you get time.  I hope this was helpful to you.  My heart goes out to anyone who's had to deal with Lymes.  I contracted it when I was 13...but never was treated until 21!  Also was Rheumatic Factor positive at the time too with joint pain and all whacky IgGs IgMs and all.

Take care

Erin

erin thanks for the info. My neutrophils are also high. and I am b12 defecient. The doc didnt do any lyme tests because he was looking for ra. I was dxd with fibromyalgia in May... I asked him at my visit if me having lyme 4 years ago could be causing me all the pain i am in because i was - for ra, he said it sounded like chronic lyme and if he had realized I had lyme in the past he would have suggested seeing someone else... I also have ddd in my neck with 4 bulging discs so he is sending me to an ortho I have an appt monday with a rheumy to see if they can help me. I suffer from swollen and painful joints constantly. I am 37 and feel like my life is doomed for ever. I had to quit my job in May because of my neck pain and I had a sit down job and when I sat for so long my joints would get so stiff I walked hunched over for a few hours. I cant even do physical work because when I do my other joints get even more inflammed. I applied for disability the first of nov but that is when I thought I just had ddd and oa. Now everything is changing. Xmas is coming up and my son keeps asking for the most expensive things and we just cant do it this year. I am so depressed but the doc i was seeing has me on so much med he didnt want to give me anything for the depression. He said he really isnt qualified to treat the rest of my problems just the b12 defeciency. Isnt that how it goes. So i will spend even more money going to more docs who will probably change my med and cost me even more money. My husband makes to much to qualify for any assistance. But we got so use to living on 2 incomes and now we dont have that. We just barely get by and it really stinks. I have worked since I was 15.

Tonya

Hi Tonya,

Well, you sound like one great & caring parent.  I know you want to give everything you have to your son...are they older or are they still very young yet?

It's a big transition, I know.  I never had to worry about money and was able to support myself...and now look at me!  Had to go through the whole welfare, assistance, SSI/disability, medicaid fiasco.  It's hard.  And it makes you feel depressed.

But you are doing the right thing!

Applying for disibility is a good start if you cannot perform.  You may get denied, but apply again ASAP!  I was denied once already, and now I won't get a decision until december.

Your neutrophil count indicates a reaction to inflammation as well.  This elevation shows up in infections and also in RA and even some viral processes too.  I really hope the rheummy guides you in the right direction.  Be persistant!

How are they making the decision on a negative RA?  You're having inflammed painful joints right?  and a positive sed rate too.  Did you have an ANA blood test?  Are your joints painful on both sides of your body?  Morning stiffness?

You said you're feeling depressed.  That's an important issue that needs to be taken care of too.  I know how you feel....wasting all this time and money going to one doc to the other because this one can't treat this!...and that one can't treat that!  I get so frustrated!!!!  My rheummy can't Rx my pain meds for RA?  Huh?  So I have to make a "special extra" trip to my primary for pain meds!  ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Don't they get it?  People do not have money growing out there toes!!!!  I hate the system...it needs a good kick in the butt.

But now you know that you need to get your money's worth at each appt.  Don't let him leave the room till you're satisfied! 

Are you covered under your hubby's insurance?

Remember, pharmaceutical companies have assistance programs that help you get the meds you need.  And docs have more samples than they let on! So if you need NSAIDS or something....ask for them in his office and say you can't afford them and you NEED them!!!!!!  He'll give in!   You don't know how many basements I've seen of doc offices FILLED with old Rx samples!  What a shame.

Tonya, please come here anytime.  Sometimes the support here is the best medicine.  It's got me through some of the worst times.

Talk to you soon

Hang in there Tonya!!

erin