Cough and high ESR

[tazmo]

Had a cough for 4 weeks and persistent fever - about 38oC. Went to the docs and he took bloods. Had one lot of antibiotics already. Got told I'd likely to need to go for an X-ray. Blood result came up with erythrocytes sedimentation rate value of 80 when it should be 15. It's a crude test but means some inflammation somewhere. Had my X-ray which had some bits in left lobe - mainly due to infection but A and E sent me home with clarithromycin to mop up any other bugs as he said no point in staying in hospital all weekend and if feeling no better, Monday to go back. He said there's no chest specialists on over the weekend and he was just a general doctor. My temp was ok this morning but is steadily creeping up and am feeling a bit tired again. Anybody had anything similar? Really worried there is something underlying? Anyone had an ESR of that and if so, what was the cause?

My ESR is often that, I have Rheumatoid Arthritis. If you've got an infection, the elevated ESR is mostly definitely due to that, so don't worry about the ESR alone. However, you do sound very poorly and perhaps they haven't found the right antibiotics.

This is the worry - I have ulcerative proctitis, my mum has severe rheumatoid arthritis (how old are you? My mum started at 46. I am 42). I do worry I'd there is something underlying. Is RA genetic?

I'm 25 - was diagnosed with RA 4 years ago. Do you have any symptoms? Also, it's not genetic as such but it does appear to 'run in families' but no one quite knows why.

I had whooping cough a couple of years ago. Lasted ages and can only be diagnosed with another blood test, though that took three weeks to come back. Then had very specific antibiotic.

Btw I had been immunised. My entire family have had it over the years. Either we are really unlucky or it's a lot more common than thought. Just one to mention.

Well my esr was 63 when I had a chest infection a few years ago. Had the ci for several months, but the esr went down to 16 within 2 weeks of the first test.

Thanks for the replies. Sounds like it may just be infection then. A and e said to contact Dr if not feeling well mon or tues. not sure how I can tell???? I am feeling tired but good news is my temperature seems to be coming down. Cough still there but.....

tamzo I googled ulcerative proctitis and correct me if I'm wrong, I read that it's an inflammatory condition which may be (but has not been confirmed as...) as autoimmune disease? With that in mind, an elevated ESR may be related to your condition. Speak to your regular GP or a consultant if you see one. Also, if the chest hasn't cleared, pop back to the GP - you sound really ill and it's not worth messing about with something like this.

*an autoimmune disease, not as