Posted 5/20/2019 12:34 PM (GMT -6)
Hi there - I have been having joint pain for several years, with most of my pain in my feet, diagnosed last year by a podiatrist with Plantar Fasciitis. Have been using shoe inserts and that has helped some, but still so much pain if I'm on my feet too long, with a feeling that the joints in my feet are somehow loose. I have been doing testing with my allergist for the last few years because of swelling in my fingers and ankles and overall allergic issues (to several meds, some foods, and many environmental items), with negative RF (latex turbidity factor, right up against the high normal level last year and have been "keeping an eye on it" as it has risen every year). Last couple of years have seen an increase in shoulder pain (impingement, says my chiro), with lots of crackling and significant pain in the rotator cuff on both sides, and neck pain (same crackling). Knees are also now a problem. Don't see a lot of swelling in shoulders or knees, but as I mentioned there is crackling and general pain, difficulty with stairs, etc. No nodules anywhere. ESR has been normal and SED rate has been normal. Had one positive ANA two years ago, negative last year.
Most recently, had a bout with high blood pressure (ended up in the ER with hypertensive emergency), which is completely unusual for me. Added BP meds to the plan and re-did all of the labs. This time they pulled the RF assay and the IgA and IgG were negative (11.5 and 17.9 respectively), IgM was positive (33.6). ESR this time was 28 mm/hr, which shows as normal, but is high for me (usually below 10). CRP (with a range of 0.0-4.9 mg/L) is 6.3. They didn't run an RA latex turbidity test, which was what we were "watching" in the past. Referred me to a rheumatologist who I will see mid-June. Just wondered if anyone had insight on these labs. Is it pretty indicative of RA if only one of them is positive, along with CRP? As this was not the highly sensitive CRP, is this level considered very high? Has anyone else experienced high bp with RA?
New to the group and would really appreciate your input.