Raised CRP - What could it mean?

Hopefully somebody will be able to help me with this.  It showed up on my last blood test a month ago that my CRP was up to 7.6 but I have been having no bowel symptoms.  The Consultant asked me to have a repeat and said if it went up again he was going to look at putting me on Azathioprine.  I have had a repeat test done yesterday and it is now up 8.6 but am still having no problems or symptoms.  I'm really not keen to go down the Azathioprine route yet as I actually feel ok at present.

I was wondering if anyone knew if it could have anything do with my bones/joints.  Ever since I have came off the Prednisolone 4 months ago I have had daily problems with my fingers, wrists, elbows and ankles which on research sounds like a type of rheumatoid arthritis.  Could this be causing my raised CRP?  Does anyone have suggestions for me?

As always thanks for your help.

Medication:  Asacol 3 x 2 daily

I believe you can take up to 12 asacol per day and I agree with maybe trying that???? CRP is something I'm not up on either -- the Aza (imuran) from what I understand is something that is prescribed when alot of the "trial and error" routes have been exhausted. It is a heavy duty drug and one that made the difference for my husband but you are nowhere near what he was going through when it was finally decided he needed to go on it.

Now if he was put on it sooner might it have prevented such an awful flare???? I don't know the answer to that. Maybe your Dr realizes a pattern developing with you and wants to head it off????

Obviously don't take our advice exclusively - discuss with the Dr and do as much research as you can.

Such a shame that there is not a specific consistent way to treat this for everyone.