Yes, I've had normal labs and still had pain. It's pretty common. The goal is to fully arrest your RA and your pain. That could mean the dmard you are on plus a daily NSaid or similar. It might also mean giving a biologic a try.

It really comes down to what you and your doctor want to get out of the equation. Best of luck!

It's good to hear it is common. I was starting to think it was all in my head after my doctor said my lab results were normal.

My labs go back and forth. There are times I won't really be hurting too much and they will show lots of infection in my body. Other times when it seems for weeks I've had nothing but dull achy pain in my hands, knees, ankles, etc...my bloodwork will show no infections at all.

I'm currently on Remicade. I was on Enbrel and then Humira before Remicade and aside of the Ibuprofen I took along with it, I couldn't get rid of the pain. The Enbrel and Humira let me move around without any stiffness but the pain would never go away. I tried prednisone and that did nothing for me. I went back on methotrexate and within 3 weeks, I was pain free. However, then the Humira stopped working for me and I was stiff everywhere but with no chronic pain. I changed to Remicade and still take the methotrexate and I feel the best I have in the past 8 years. I take the methotrexate injections though...so much better than the pills on your stomach. Wish you the best.

Also happens to me all the time. Also I usually will either call for my lab results or get copies of them so I can keep track and there are many times that I'm over the normal range even if it's not ALOT over but when I ask if my labs were ok the dr will say yes they are fine so I wonder if they don't go by the standard ranges what do they go by? Very frustrating sometimes. To me over is over and would explain pain even if it's not a lot over normal.

Kimberley,
I also ask for copies of my results when I go to the doctor. When I ask my doc about my results, he just says it is fine but I don't know what that means since I still have mild pain.

Rafighter,
Seems like you have had some good results from your meds. My doc won't give me methotrexate unless I get my tubes tied so for now it is just plaquenil and I just was prescribed a biologic (simponi). He says he goes by how I feel instead of the blood tests and thats a good thing since as of now my blood tests don't show any inflammation.

My labs change also.
Many times come back normal & I'll have major pain.
One very good reason blood work should be part of the diagnostic testing & not the only thing.
Doctors admit how much they don't know about the disease yet their actions don't always back the words.
Sammy