Is a high ESR bad for you??

[harrigan]

I know there have been posts aboout what a normal and high esr level are, and that a raised level isn't always indicative of feeeling bad.  However, after 2 months on Plaquenil my esr is still high and getting higher.  It was down to 77 from 100ish when I started plaquenil and is now up to 113.  Life has been particularly stressful over the past month and I really can feel the difference in my pain levels, in spite of doubling amitryptaline to 5omg at night.

What I'm worried about is that having a continued high esr could be bad for you in some way, like raised blood pressure is.  Anyone know if this can be the case?  Or am I just looking for new things to worry about?! xx Ailsa

[harrigan]

How sad is this?  I'm responding to my own post to push it back up the pile again!

Hospital called today to say, for 3rd time, they had put the blood in the 'wrong tube' for ENA/DNA.  I have to go back again tomorrow to give more!  My ESR is still up though at 111 - I'm really keen to know if this is in itself a problem.  The hospital receptionist said she wasn't qualified to say.  Anyone any ideas please?

[Katybarstool]

Ailsa

Sorry, no ideas, but pushing you up again

Kathyx

[missyb]

I am not sure, but I have often had good luck checking out things at lab tests online
www.labtestsonline.com
it's an excellent source at explaining what blood tests mean and why they are taken, I htink you hould find a good answer there

[Linda196]

I've never heard anything about it causing any problems, and I really hope it doesn't since mine hovered between 130 and 150 for 25 years!

[missyb]

OK, sorry it's labtestsonline.org
and here is what it says about the ESR:
What does the test result mean?
NOTE: This test has no single number that identifies an abnormal result. Your lab report (see a sample report) should include a range of numbers (reference range) that identifies what is expected for you based on your age, sex, and the method used in that laboratory. You can find more information about expected results at Reference Ranges and What They Mean. Lab Tests Online strongly recommends that you discuss the meaning of your test results with your doctor.

Doctor?s do not base their decisions solely on ESR results. You can have a normal result and still have a problem.

Moderately elevated ESR occurs with inflammation, but also with anemia, infection, pregnancy, and old age.

A very high ESR usually has an obvious cause, such as a marked increase in globulins that can be due to a severe infection. The doctor will use other follow-up tests, such as cultures, depending on the patient?s symptoms. Persons with multiple myeloma or Waldenstrom?s macroglobulinemia (tumors that make large amounts of immunoglobulins) typically have very high ESRs even if they don't have inflammation. As noted before, polymyalgia rheumatica and temporal arteritis may also have very high ESRs.

A rising ESR can mean an increase in inflammation or a poor response to a therapy; a decreasing ESR can mean a good response.

Although a low ESR is not usually important, it can be seen with polycythemia, with extreme leukocytosis, and with some protein abnormalities. Some changes in red cell shape (such as sickle cells in sickle cell anemia) also lower the ESR.

[ktfabian]

Harrigan-

For what it's worth, my ESR (this is the same as SED rate, right?) was up this past week while I was in the hospital with pneumonia. My usual signs of inflammation and pain weren't as bad as usual and my doctor said it could be the inflammation related to the pneumonia that was pushing it up.  So it could be a combination of things causing your high ESR is so high.  I haven't read anything about a high rate causing long term problems , but I'm also not a doctor.

Have you asked your doctor about this?  If not, I'd call his/her office and ask.

Good luck, Tracy

[harrigan]

Thanks - I,ve got an appt with the Rheumatologist next week so will ask then xx 

Linda - can't begin to imagine what 150+ feels like!  I'm gritting my teeth to get through this week then planning on a sleep filled weekend

[tuckerdog]

ESR and Sed Rate are the same tests.  It has been around for probably over a century.  Here is how we basically do the test.  Mix the patient's whole blood and put it in a tube with measurement lines on it (like a tube with a ruler).  Set the tube in a rack and start a timer.  The sed rate is how far the blood cells settle in one hour.  The reason this is a useful test is that if the rate is high (cells settle faster than normal) then it is an indicator that something may be wrong.  It doesn't mean some thing is definately wrong or tell you what exactly is wrong.  It is just another piece of evidence that there may be some kind of problem.  I would say that it is in the same category as running a fever.

I cringe when I see people getting into a wad over a sed rate.

[harrigan]

No need to cringe, T'dog, now I know I shan't worry again