What blood test is there or cheaper type test to diagnose the reason for pains?

[Me967]

Trying to figure out something that will give an answer to so many aches and pains.  They are making my life stink.  This is a question that goes along with another post:  "Seasonal pains and spasms"

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/686737

I'm trying to get any kind of an information to take to my Dr. as some kind of lead.

I was wondering if there is any cheaper test that could pin point what is causing sooo much pain?   Example:  Blood test or something vs. MRI or similar high dollar test.

My body aches all over and feels like a balloon.  I hope you all don't think I'm being rude.  Just wandering if anyone has a clue.  Most all of the information is on the other post listed above.

Again, sorry for the double post.

Sincerely;  Amy

[Tuckamore]

Hi again Amy,

Your physician may use a SED rate to evaluate your inflammation. CRP reveal the same or similar values. Elevated WBC is usually indicative of an ongoing infection.

I read about the discoloration of your hands and feet. Do you have Raynaud's Disease or Phenomenon? I have had friends as well as my husband that suffer from this condition. Their fingers actually turn blue and have developed sores on the tips due to the lack of circulation. My husband's fingers and toes hurt terribly in the winter or cold months, even when he is indoors. It is due to RP. I copied the following from another site as it is better explains the disease.

Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) is a condition resulting in a particular series of discolorations of the fingers and/or the toes after exposure to changes in temperature (cold or hot) or emotional events. Skin discoloration occurs because an abnormal spasm of the blood vessels causes a diminished blood supply to the local tissues. Initially, the digit(s) involved turn white because of the diminished blood supply. The digit(s) then turn blue because of prolonged lack of oxygen. Finally, the blood vessels reopen, causing a local "flushing" phenomenon, which turns the digit(s) red. This three-phase color sequence (white to blue to red), most often upon exposure to cold temperature, is characteristic of RP.

And nerve pain can be worse when it is cold, just like bone or muscle pain. I always hurt worse when I get cold. I am glad for the update. Please continue to let us know how you are doing. I hope you will find your answers soon. Peace, Tuck

[Me967]

Tuck;
Hi again. Sorry I have not commented back in a while.  As I said before this has been going on for about the last 4 years. It's just it gets worse every year.  The hs CRP runs on a scale from 1-3, mine was 20 and now down to 6 since I started on Lipitor this last year.  Chol. did go down but now it's rising a little again.  
The  ESR I have never heard of but will bring up to my doctor.  Liver function test was good but, the GFR units for kidneys has always been low.  Calcium, sugar, Ferritin, iron  and thyroid are low usually always. TIBC, Transferrin and WBC high are usually always high.  If any of that means anything at all.  

Mollyrae;
Hi there.  I have never had any nerve test done.  A couple years ago after having many test done by a cardiologist she said I should go to an endocrinologist and a neurologist and I did not after I received all the bills from her and the cardiologist.  Ouch!  I was really upset and did not want anymore test.  I had a slew of them that year.

I figure if I go to them I should wait until the beginning of next year now due to the fact I have a $3000.00 deductible.  When I went to the cardio it was toward the end of the year.  Just didn't have the money to start over again with another ologist.  

Just trying to figure out some of it on my own as to not waste money on needless test.  I was wondering if (I hope you don't mind) I could ask you what causes your pains when they act up?  Does your hands and feet turn colors fast in the winter months?  My nose, cheeks and the middle of my forehead turns red and along with whole body aches it also itches really bad.  If I'm being rude for asking on here please forgive me in advance.  Being that I'm on thyroid med's this year, I'm not sure if its thyroid related or not, but my hair is really thinning out.  Not really an issue for this site though.

To both of you:
Thank you both VERY much for your time.  If I don't hear from you by Thanksgiving, I want to say it now.  God bless you both and I hope you all have a wonderful and Happy Thanksgiving.  ;-)  

Amy.

[Mollyrae]

Hello:

After reading both posts,  It sounds like there are a few things going on. Have you had any nerve studies done? Because the temprature seems to bother you, I would suspect that there is something going on in that area. Nerves can also effect your muscles and make them spasm.

I have simular issues with my nerves being very sensitive to temp. changes. When my nerves start acting up, it seems my muscles do to. Oddly enough, they seem to go hand in hand.

I'm sure you've had an extensive blood work up so I guess I would seek out a Neurologist. He will be the one to run any nreve studies you might have.

I know this is not very helpful but it's something to consider if you haven't done so already.

Take care and good luck in the future. Let us know the outcome.
Mollyrae

[Tuckamore]

Hi Again Me,

I don't know the costs of lab test but there are a few standard tests that they use to look for inflammation. They are a  CRP, Formal name: C-Reactive Protein or a High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and the Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). These are usually the Gold Standard tests.

You PCP may have better or different suggestions. He may look for other causes through lab tests. He may want to check your vitamin and electrolyte levels and do a CBC (complete blood count) and check your kidney and liver functions. These are all less expensive than an MRI which runs well over a thousand dollars.

Good luck. Let us know how you are doing. And as always, Take Care, Tuck