Hi Liz

The problem is that your normal CRP may be different to mine and ours will be different from other forum members. My CRP is usually in the low 20's and this seems to be my "norm". Others have a normal level of 6. I think your rheummy is the one to ask as GP's do tend to get a bit excited about CRP and ESR levels. Mine rang a few weeks ago when my ESR was 44 - it has often been over a 100!!

Love Jeanxxx

Hopefully meeting with the nurse specialist next week. Doc thinks it doesnt work as i keep having flare ups and now have strange feet!! Think i will just keep smiling!

Liz

Hi Liz

There are many different drugs that can be either added to the methotrexate or used separately. Certainly if you regularly have flares the disease is not controlled well enough and does require a different treatment regime.

With the foot problems you describe it sounds as though you should be having regular rheumatology/orthopaedic checks. Hope the nurse is able to organise something for you and refers you to the appropriate specialist. I have had a number of foot ops too but fortunately haven't lost any toes ... just metatarsal heads!

As others have said blood test results are not always a reliable indicator of inflammation so don't worry too much about these. A CRP of 9 really isn't particularly high (normal values = less than 6mg/L) and could actually be normal for you because we are all different. Likewise ESR (normal range 1-7mm) varies considerably; my normal is 15-17mm.

It sounds as though you are having quite a difficult time so do keep posting and let us know how you are.

Lyn x