MCTD questions

Hi, I had my first appointment with a rheumatologist (was referred to her due to positive ANA, fatigue and joint pain). She ordered more bloodwork for me to get a more specific look at what was happening. My bloodwoork came back with positive (HIGH) anti-RNP. I haven't seen her yet to discuss these findings, but from what I know, this is indicative of mixed connective tissue disease.

This seems to fit all my symptoms: fatigue, transient joint and muscle pain (and weakness), rashes (malar and upper chest and arms), sporadic low-grade fever, and strange hand and feet symptoms that, from what research I've done, appears to be Raynaud's coupled with erythromelalgia.

The curious thing and what I am seeking answers about is that I am currently having pain, rashes and low grade fevers, yet my sed rate and CRP were both normal. How does this make sense? How can I have genuine signs of inflammation (hands swell with erythomelalgia symptoms) and minor joint swelling, yet both tried and true tests to measure inflammation came back normal.

Can you have activity without any serological fluxuation? Will my doctor still be willing to prescribe medications to treat my current symptoms without these markers being elevated?

Thanks for any answers!

Buzz,

You can have negative labs for cpk, sed and aldolase but have an active disease state.  Eventually your labs will reflect your condition.

Bill