Yesterday, my doctor sent me for these two tests: ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) and C-Reactive Protein. He did not tell me what he was looking for, but he did ask me if I had Rheumatoid Arthritis. I thought that was odd, since, as my doctor, he already knows what I've been diagnosed with. He was looking at the radiologist's report on my foot x-rays. The radiologist said that what showed up on my foot is often associated with RA.

I've never been diagnosed with RA or any other auto-immune disease. There is no family history of it that I know of. (Just severe osteoarthritis on my father's side.) For a couple of years, now, I am having tough time with muscle stiffness and soreness. I don't know what causes it. There is a good size bump on the back of my heel, and I'm more and more having trouble walking on one foot.

What I read is that those two tests are used to evaluate the body's level of inflammation. If anyone has been sent for these tests, maybe you can give me more understanding of what my doctor is trying to figure out.

I'm on Vicodin for pain, which helps a lot, but I'm needing it more and more frequently. In the morning it's all I can do to stand up straight when I get out of bed. I'm wanting to stay in bed or in my recliner for this soreness. I thought it was from depression, but when I was younger I always had depression, but it didn't make me sore all over.

Thanks for any insight.