Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...
I'm just curious how often everyone has their SED rate and CRP tested.
My Rheumy checks mine every 2 months along with my other blood work. I'm almost 2 years post diagnosis and while I feel a lot better, we are still trying to get exactly the right med combo.
On a side note, is the 'SEARCH: DIscussions' feature working properly for anyone? I searched 'SED Rate' and it brought back zero results. I found that odd, so I searched 'Humira' and it brought back only one thread. I, personally, have started more than one thread about Humira just in the past 6 months. : /
My Rheumy checks mine every 2 months along with my other blood work. I'm almost 2 years post diagnosis and while I feel a lot better, we are still trying to get exactly the right med combo.
On a side note, is the 'SEARCH: DIscussions' feature working properly for anyone? I searched 'SED Rate' and it brought back zero results. I found that odd, so I searched 'Humira' and it brought back only one thread. I, personally, have started more than one thread about Humira just in the past 6 months. : /
1. how meds are working (or not working)
2. to check liver enzymes as I take 25mg MTX (10 tablets).
I'm 3 years post diagnosis and still looking for my "magic cocktail of meds". A real roller coaster ride.
Right now i am off medications for my arthritis. Except for my psoriasis. I am on clobex drops and ketzole shampoo.
I think best do blood work once month if on medication like plaquenil and MTX. Or in the start or if problems. 2 months for steady. If done great maybe 3 months but i think still be safe 2 months maxs.
I know my new rheumy says she will always test more as she likes keep eye on her patients close.
I know some friends that go 4-6 months without their dr not testing them their ones get worse and hit hard. Even if you only see rheumy every 4 months or 6 as pediatric as limited ped rheumy.
They could give scripts get blood work between visits. Plus ones go in remission if keep up on blood work every 3 months they have less chance of their deiase hitting really hard. As blood work can catch it early. As most sed goes up first then pain .
I think it is very importen part for us and drs so we can see were are deiase is. If medication is helping or not effective.