Well SED rate was still elevated, but the HLA-B27 came back negative. I am feeling so much better on Prednisone though and am sad that I only have 3 more days left of it, I have been a different person, I even exercised for more than 15 minutes without feeling like I was dying.
I cleaned house, and played with the kids.
I really really want a Dx, and I am just a medical mystery to these small town Dr.s. Hopefully the new Dr and I can discuss some options when I see him again on the 17th, but right now that seems an awful long time from now. I really liked him when I saw him last month, seems to be "on the ball" and such.
Jenmommi,
I was the same way on prednisone. I told my RD I felt like it was "heaven in a little white pill!"
It sounds like your problem is definitely inflammatory related or the prednisone wouldn't be helping. I hope you get your diagnosis soon.
I am glad you are feeling better and get your DX soon!What's HLA-B27? For a few weeks my inflammation markers kept coming back "extremely" high but nothing else was amiss.
Why get tested?
To
determine whether you have human leukocyte antigen B27 (HLA-B27) on the
surface of your cells; to help assess the likelihood that you have an autoimmune disorder associated with the presence of HLA-B27
When to get tested?
When
you have symptoms of chronic inflammation, pain, and stiffness in
certain areas of your body, such as your back, neck, and chest, or
eyes, especially if you are male and the symptoms began in your early
30s
This
test detects the presence or absence of human leukocyte antigen B27
(HLA-B27) on the surface of white blood cells in a blood sample. Human
leukocyte antigens (HLA) are a group of proteins
that help the body’s immune system to identify its own cells and to
distinguish between “self” and “nonself.” Everyone has an inherited
combination of HLA antigens present on the surface of his or her white
blood cells (leukocytes) and other nucleated (containing a nucleus)
cells. These HLA antigens are divided into types: Class I (A, B, C) and
Class II (DR, DP, DQ). While not as unique as a fingerprint, the
presence or absence of each antigen creates a distinctive HLA combination for each person.
HLA-B27 is found in about 5-10% of the U.S. population. Its presence has been associated with several autoimmune disorders. The most common of these disorders is ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Approximately 90% of patients with AS are positive for HLA-B27. Other disorders that have an association with the presence of HLA-B27 include:
HLA-B27 may also be present in patients with inflammatory bowel disease and with a range of other chronic conditions. While HLA-B27 has not been established as a cause of these disorders, there is a higher prevalence of this antigen in those affected.
I wonder why it says JRA but not RA???
How high was your sed rate? Did they test for CRP? Other things I remember being tested for initially was Anti- CCP and RF. These were the "arthritis" tests- I was also tested for a slew of other things like Lyme, Parovirus, Lupus etc.
I have had all of those tests (CRP, SED, RF) before I have not had the Anti-CCP, they all come back elevated , but not extremely high. This time I went to a new Dr and he looked at all the previous tests and ordered the HLA-B27 and another SED rate. I don't know how my SED rate was, the nurse didn't say but the HLA-B27 was negative. I guess I was lucky in that within a few weeks it was no mystery because I also had my hands, feet and ankles swell up like Shrek and they were red and hot and sweating. All of my joints ached and it was all symmetrical. Between that and the blood work I got my dx.