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high ANA [2008-05-02]
As I was recently told I had an elevated ANA....I have done some research and an elevated ANA can occur in people that are healthy individuals, if your family has a history of autoimmune disorder, if you are female and of older age...among the different diagnoses...Scleroderma, RArthritis, Sjogrens, Hashimotos thyroiditis, hepatitis, some viral infections, type 1 diabetes, addison's disease, certain medications (Aldomet, Enbrel, Remicade), polymositis, Raynauds syndrome, vitamin b12 deficiency, idopathic thrombocytopenia, fibromyalgia, and anemia. There are so many different reasons an ANA can be elevated. Also, an ANA can be a false positive in some otherwise healthy individuals if the ANA is positive and no symptoms are evident.
High ANA [2008-04-15]
I had high ANA readings years ago, as high as it goes on the scale apparently (1:1280). Shortly after going through a bunch of tests, I was diagnosed with Hashimotospeckled pattern, whatever that means. My most recent test also said speckled pattern. I had lupus-specific tests that all came back negative!
Extremely high positive ANA titer [2008-02-25]
I would so much appreciate any feedback regarding very high positive ANA titer with neg Rh factor and few lupus symptoms; i.e, what could cause so high of an ANA titer when all other blood work is negative. Thanks everyone!
I almost wonder...sm [2008-08-16]
I have lupus and celiac disease and I am lactose intolerant too.
Lupus causes skin problems and I thought that was the only issue, then I was diagnosed with celiac. I would bouts of itching, hives, numbness, tingling in the extremities and seemed to be allergic to the world. It turns out isn't the world, just wheat, barley, rye and anything contaminated or derived from these things. When I control carefully with diet, I don't itch, having hives, tingling arms and legs, etc. and my balance is much better too. Because so many things have cross contamination it seemed like I was allergic to everything, but thankfully not so.
Have they scoped the first part of your small bowel and biopsied to be sure? You'd have to be on a high gluten diet for at least a month before they test you, I do know that.
It is a shot in the dark, but you just never know. There are many symptoms that go with celiac...shortness of breath after eating wheat stuff, terrible gas, protracted diarrhea, malaise, rashes on the arms and legs, tingling and numbness in a stocking-glove distribution, bloating, allergic shiners under the eyes, pasty looking dry skin, dry mouth, fatigue...
Hi.... [2008-08-16]
Bless your heart. I want to meet others with this disease but at the same time I hate to think about another human being suffering in pain like this. I never knew people could hurt this much from a disease. The flares are like a toothache in your joints, red, hot swollen joints. I get the fevers and chills with it too. It has never been in remission. No, the Humira didn't work for me. Enbrel did but everything is short-lived with me. The MTX kept sending my liver enzymes up to high until finally they stopped trying to give it to me. I got worse on the Remicade. The Orencia worked for about 6 months, long enough for me to go back to work inhouse and now I am out on medical leave.
I have been in transcription for a little more than 6 years but with this condition it is off and on work. I have been hospitalized 6 times this year. I have had fluid removed from my lungs twice, so now when I swell, they keep me and give me IV Lasix, my electrolytes are usually out of balance, so they fix that too. I go home feeling better but 3 weeks later it is the same old song and dance. I have an appt. Tuesday. They are talking about starting Rituxan but worried about my kidneys. We will see.
Since the Humira worked for you, are you able to type okay? Can you do a full-time position? You can also e-mail me at the yahoo address if I am asking questions that are too personal.
Nice to meet you. Take care.
To Donna regarding RA [2008-06-18]
I was diagnosed with RA three years ago. I completely understand about prednisone and weight gain. I was between a size 6 and 8, and after being on prednisone for a few months, I went up to a 10 and then leveled off at a 12. That isn and have really small bones. My advice there would be to do as much exercise as you can, anything to help counter the prednisone. Exercise will help with your stress level too.
The prednisone was a high dose initially to help get my RA under control. Several months later, I went on methotrexate, 6 pills/weekly. Then in Sept 2007, I started on Remicade, which works along with the methotrexate. It's very expensive, but I feel better than I have in years and my inflammation is finally under good control. I also have a lot more energy, so I've gotten back to my exercise regimen and am slowly getting my weight under control.
High ANA [2008-04-15]
I had high ANA readings years ago, as high as it goes on the scale apparently (1:1280). Shortly after going through a bunch of tests, I was diagnosed with Hashimotospeckled pattern, whatever that means. My most recent test also said speckled pattern. I had lupus-specific tests that all came back negative!
Extremely high positive ANA titer [2008-02-25]
I would so much appreciate any feedback regarding very high positive ANA titer with neg Rh factor and few lupus symptoms; i.e, what could cause so high of an ANA titer when all other blood work is negative. Thanks everyone!
rhizotomy [2008-02-23]
They said they weren't sure if they could go that high on me i.e. C1-2 but I thought they could. Another pain clinic does. Will have to check through my neurosurgeon as I have hardware and wonder if that heat will affect it. Am wondering about a C2 facet joint injection. I have read that sometimes helps too. Gosh I am about ready to give up and very sensitive to the darn steroids. My skin starts bleeding if I get too many shots.
Have had Lupus (SLE), Sjogren's, RA, even sarcoidosis....sm [2007-12-29]
I have seen multiple rheumatologists, and nothing seems to help. I am really looking for alternative medicine that will help the pain, swelling, inflammation, and something to boost my own immune system. I take very strong MVM supplements, ginseng, high potency fish oils with DHA, sublingual B vitamins, but it is like a losing battle. Anyone with stories, advice, or information to share??? Thanks so very much and happy holidays (the cold, bad weather, and darkness in the Northeast do not help, either, depression sets in, Lexapro has stopped working) What a mess,
Have you tried Excedrin Migraine? sm [2007-10-11]
I have fibro with vasculitis (including aneurysms)and get migraines triggered by high heat and high humidity. I have Darvocet for that but don't like to take it all the time-makes me too sleepy to work. I tried Excedrin Migraine last month and it knocks out the pain not only in my head but also in my shoulders from typing and my ankles, too. I have a bottle at my desk and take 2 when I feel the headaches coming on. Just a thought.
Some helpful ideas [2007-09-07]
Speaking from someone who has disabilities, pains and issues, it sure sounds like you might be qualified for SSDI (Soc Sec Disability Income) plus MediCare plus County or State paid-for in-home assistance. Check with county/state in-home assistance programs you might be eligible for. Another thought: Anyone in your local area who could be paid a nominal fee to do simple light housekeeping and errands/driving for you? (high school student, retired person?). Sounds like fibromyalgia/CFS? Am I close? Best wishes.
RA [2007-09-04]
I got hurt on the police dept years ago and had a disk fusion in my neck. Well that went into chronic pain and fibromyalgia. Went to the PCP one day cause I couldnhot joints which I have never had and he said if I notice any hot joints to come in ASAP and they will start treatment. Been 2 yrs and nothing. Have arthritis throughout my spine but apparently not RA. I live on as low a dose of Percocet and Valium as possible just enough to take the edge off. Good luck. May be your thyroid as well. I have thyroid probs also. I transcribed a rheumatology that said people with thyroid problems and chronic pain should try T3 replacement along with the levothyroxine sometimes it helps. I have an appt Thursday and will ask him about that. See this job is good for something!!!! Good luck RA treatments are not fun I have a friend that has it and bless her heart she is only 21. At least I am in my mid 40s can't imagine dealing with that at such a young age.
Unfortunately... [2007-04-09]
The biggest part of my dilemma is that we basically do not have insurance. Any doctor's visit, meds, testing, etc. would be out of pocket and there just isn't money for that. I basically go to the doctor for the yearly exam things.
I live in an area that has Amish and Mennonite people and we have a doctor here that is dedicated to help the uninsured. You charge yourself according to your yearly income and the number in your household according to a chart posted in the office. I can normally get my yearly exam, pap and TSH for around $60 a year. Because of that, my doctor is not that big on any testing that he thinks you can do without.
All that said,I do want to clarify that we do have insurance in case of catastrophy or cancer, just a very high deductible that doesn't cover the office visits, labs, etc.
I read magazine articles and try to do self-doctoring to a certain extent. It is not unusual for me to have to take Advil several times a day or sometimes I will take naprosyn sodium which helps quite a bit too.
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