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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,110 Location: London
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Hi all, have just received a copy of letter sent to gp from when I saw the nurse specialist last Thursday. It states that my DAS is 5.60 HAQ 2.38 ESR 13 and CRP 5, I know what the ESR and CRP are, these have gone down since being on the triple therapy. Under another heading:- DAS 28 score Remission <2.2 Low <3.2 Moderate 3.2-5.1 High >5.1 HAQ Score Good <1.0 Impaired >1.0 It then states patient has active fibromyalgia with numbe of tender spots and disturbed sleep patterns therefore she has been prescribed Pregabalin for this. Also had some swollen joints and the dose of sulfa has been increased by 500mg Dont understand most of this, tried to look on the site for info, but couldnt find any about understanding the results of the DAS only telling us what it actuially is, which I already know. If anyone can decipher please let me know!!!! Thank you x x BARBARA
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/10/2009 Posts: 653 Location: Notts
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Hi Barbara
I don't really know all the answers, but I think that your DAS score is not too high, I think it has to be over about 6 for you to fill the criteria for anti-tnf. I know mine was about 7.6 the first time I was assesed,but since being on Enbrel for 3 years, it's down to something like 2.5.
There is some information about DAS, NRAS have a booklet explaining it all, so you should be able to find out from that.
The drug you have been given for fibro should help you to sleep. I have fibro and take amitriptyline for it, I presume your drug is similar.
Hope this might help a little.
Lyn
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,582 Location: Oxfordshire
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Hi Barbara,
I am pretty sure the DAS score shows your RA is active. When mine was virtually i remission it was below two.
The rheumy once explained in great medical detail how they calculate the score- it is pain related etc and they use the ESR/CRP levels I think too.
Love,
Amanda
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,110 Location: London
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Thanks Lyn and Amanda. Will look out for the booklet. Amanda, thanks for that, its so confusing!!! BARBARA
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,740
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hello barbs das score letter wow thats good deatiled letter yes amanda got it spot on below 2 remission. thats what i had age 23. good to see esr,crp gone down really good news tiple therpay working,aww sorry hun re fibro thats what my letter said same. hope new drug helps u more than amtrilpine did. take care melly  dopey in dulwich cuddly cats make my world seem so much more fun
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 838 Location: Nottinghamshire
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I went to an Arthritis Awareness event last night put on by my local NHS trust.
Fibro was mentioned and the consultant did say something about when examining patients that there where certain tender spots that helped with the DX. He also mentioned that the thinking now was that (if I remember it all), it's something to do with an emezine in the brain and they give people the appropriate drugs to try to stimulate it.
My hospital is the only one in the East Midlands that offers a 10 week course to patients suffering from it.
Have found out that they do a GP referall to our local gym so I will be looking into that myself.
I just want to add that the ESR really confuses me. Last year I asked my GP what mine was, was told it was 32 and that was normal.
Paula
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,110 Location: London
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[size=7][Hi Paula, Thanks for the reply, sounds like a good meeting to go to. Lots of info on FMS. The course would be a really good idea for alll fibro sufferers, but as you say not many hospitals offer it. Re the ESR its very confusing, and also alot of people on here have said it doesn't matter what the ESR is, its how you feel regarding the pain and swelling etc. Will make an appt with gp to have a chat about it.  /size] BARBARA
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,582 Location: Oxfordshire
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Dear Paula,
ESR is the overall inflamamtion in the body- ie if you have a cold it would rise. Most rheumys are more interested in the CRP levels as this is more specific for the inflamamtion in the blood relating to RA.
'Normal' levels for the both of them are between 0-8. If they are raised about about 15 then they will make a fuss. That said it is also how you feel which is important too.
Hpe this helps as it is very confusing plus we all see different rheumys who all tell us differing things yet you ahve to trust someone. I decided a long time ago to only listen to my own rheumy...and he does have sparkly eyes and like Glenfiddich! LOLOLOL
Love always,
Amanda
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009
Posts: 216
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|All that the others have said is true.................and of course when you have had several bloodtests and results, a sort of "normal for you" range will appear, so although your reading may (according to the scale of things in the laboratory) be flagged by the lab as " high," it will be ok for you, and any variations will then be seen more quickly. Some of us on here (including me!) have had figures in the hundreds (when we are REALLY ill!!) but then they settle again to a "normal for us" level. Try not to worry about it, get that booklet from NRAS, and be very daring...ask them at clinic what THEY see as unacceptable/acceptable levels, as it seems they DO vary from clinic to clinic!!! LOVE from Lxx Always be aware that what you do might hurt others........and if it could, do nothing without careful consideration of the consequences
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,740
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Hi Barbs yes so true one can say ive got an established pattern over 2 years,to point can clearly see when esr rasied due to virus/infection, or from flare.and say raised when treatment not enough. a pattern for me ahd a range in which it varied monthly few nothced either up or down. but how you feel also should play big part. crp same pattern. take care and do ask whats normal whats not if helps. lv melly cuddly cats make my world seem so much more fun
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