Sed rate

[Cath278]

Hi. my dr. has suggested, from my smyptoms, that i have Giant Cell. My first sed rate was 50, then dropped to 35 with streroids. He doest think this is ahigh sed rate. What does anyone else think? I am a 47yr old woman. thanks very much if you answer. cath278

[smittygirl]

The tests results for sed rate in woman say that anything over 20 is considered high.  When I first got sick with Reactive Arthritis mine was 110.  My knees, hands and feet were the size of watermelons!   My rate now varies between 30 and 46, one doc says it's not high, my rheumy says it is.  It is a measurement of how much inflammation is in your body, so my thinking is since inflammation is not a good thing the more in range the rate is the better off we are.  I am on my 3rd week of Enbrel and will be interested to see what my rate is by the 4th week.    35 is not horrible, how long have you been on the steroids?  If you cant get concrete answers, find another doc.  What are your symptoms Cath, I've been through a lot and might be able to help you.  Hope to hear from you.

Sue