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High ESR and High CRP-HS...

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Posted 10/13/2016 3:12 AM (GMT 0)
I recently had rotator cuff surgery 4 weeks ago tomorrow but over the weekend I developed a low grade fever and worsening shoulder pain. The doc ordered a CBC, ESR and the CRP-HS. My ESR was 18, CRP was 16.7 and the CBC looked fine, so the ortho doesn't think it is an infection. My Rheumy has me on plaquinil as he thinks I may have sero-negatve RA, but I think my symptoms are more in line with Lupus or Sjogrens. Just wanting some other thoughts on these labs and if I should call my rheumy about the lab results? I have had an onset of small joint pain in my left pointer finger (joint is swollen but not red) and my left great toe (painful and slightly swollen but no redness. Joints on my right thumb are tender too (as well as my left surgical shoulder which is not surprise.

Just hoping for some insight. Thanks
Posted 10/13/2016 3:24 AM (GMT 0)
I'm not clear which Dr ordered the labs, but I always make sure all my Drs get copies of all my labwork so everyone is up to date and nothing is repeated needlessly.

Check out our Lupus 101 thread for info on Lupus symptoms used in diagnosis. It's best to let the rheumy diagnosis, suggesting diseases to Drs tends to give them tunnel vision when we really need them to consider every possibility. Make sure to list all symptoms and when they occur for you rheumy.

Plaquenil is the initial medication generally given to Lupus and Sjogren's patients, so you are on the right track regardless of the final dx. Sometimes it is accompanied by cortiosteroids (prednisone) to manage inflammation such as you seem to have in your joints.

Best wishes,
Posted 10/13/2016 3:36 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you Lynn. My orthopedic surgeon ordered them to rule out infection, which he seems to think it did despite the fact that the CRP is off the charts...so I can't figure that one out. My ESR was borderline high, normal high is 17 and I had an 18.
Posted 10/14/2016 4:38 AM (GMT 0)
Was your hands xrayed?

Lupus can cause non-erosion arthritis. If you have sero-negative arthritis your hands are the first to show signs of damage from RA.
I have sero-negative arthritis and it shows up on xrays on but not in bloodwork.
Posted 10/14/2016 1:20 PM (GMT 0)
No, have not had my hands X-Rayed. My next Rheumy appt is not until December.

I have had fairly constant but mild pain in both of my thumb joints the past year, but the index finger thing is new in the past month. It is stiff and hard to bend most days.
Posted 10/15/2016 6:35 AM (GMT 0)
Sounds familar to me.
I wake up some days with my hands so swollen I can't make a fist for most of the day.
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