my wife was recently dignosed as having
reactive arthritis for the past 30 years
or so. She is hla-b27 positive, but (at
least in the last few years) she has not
had an appreciable sedimentation rate or
c-reactive protein level. He
rheumatologist maintains that reactive
arthritis can be present (certainly in its
chronic form) with negative sedimentation
rate and crp. The diagnosis was based on
the fact that my wife has inflammed joints
in her hands and wrists (by x-ray and
examination), the absence of osteoarthrits
(osteophytes) and the fact that she is
hla-b27 positive. I, on the other hand,
am not that sure. Dr.'s sometimes feel
compelled to a diagnosis when there may
not be one.
My wife is in her mid 50's, has pain
flares (especially in the last few months)
of many joints - which she describes as
"hot" and achy. She has had a lifelong
spinal condition leading to degenretive
disc disease which is felt due to
scoliosis that she had as a teenager.
Has anyone heard of someone having
reactive arthritis but not showing any
elevated sedimentaion rate or c-reactive
protein? Any help would be greatly
appreciated. Thanks.
