Okay, I'm coming to the experts here, because I trust you all. I have my follow-up appointment tomorrow with the rheumy where we discuss the results of my tests and xrays. She told me over the phone that the blood work came back negative, so it's "just degenerative disk disease and OA". I want to know what should I be asking. I know the sed rate is important and the RA factor, but don't know what is normal/abnormal. I also don't know what they look at to rule out lupus.
I have been on 3200 mg. daily of ibuprofen for about two months. I tried to stay off for last night and today, so that I could honestly speak about everything that hurts, but I couldn't stand it and took some last night so I could get some sleep. Would the fact that I had been on the ibuprofen for a month before the blood work was done have lowered my sed rate?
It may have lowered your sed rate, but they understand that. Sed rate and RF factor are not indicators any longer for RA, as many ppl with RA don't have either of those elevated. It's what they call 'sero-negative' RA. Ask your dr. if they also did an Anti-CCP test, it's supposedly more accurate for the bloodwork, but might also come back normal. My RD was shocked to find out I knew about the Anti-CCP test. He said his collegues don't even know about it many times. The more informed you are the better you are able to discuss options, the disease, the treatment and the outcome with your dr. Good luck!!
So far i am on methotrexate, prednisone etc. and my numbers are still up through the roof cuz it isn't all under control as of yet.
When i did go in for my 1st rhummy appt my regular doc gave me prednisone so i wasn't as swollen as i should have been but with the blood tests etc. and my telling them where i hurt, they were able to see what was going on.
Rheumatoid Factor numbers can be 0 and you could have RA, or they can be 1000. The numbers help get an idea of what is going on, but you can be negative and still have RA.
My numbers have been everywhere from 100 - 500.
The regular blood test docs like to take for RA etc. will show if you have any lupus info in them. Some numbers won't be right when you get it back. Right now, some of my numbers show lupus, but some don't so they don't know really if i am getting it or not.
I know that naproxen is tougher than ibuprofen and/or works better, but my stomach couldn't handle it, but it was fine with ibuprofen for some reason.
Currently i am on Celebrex and "wow" it does 20 times better. So if you don't have heart problems and ibuprofen is "almost" working for you, you can ask about celebrex. Be warned, if you pay cash for it like me, it's almost 0 for a month's supply.
I wish you well and hope everything works for you and that easier drugs like Ibuprofen remain your friends.
I was on that for years, but this last year ended up bed ridden where i couldn't even feed myself without help or get to the bathroom. So now i am on celebrex, methotrexate, prednisone, ultram etc.
God bless.
Let us know how your appointment goes.
All of my blood work has been neg. , even the anti ccp. But if it is OA it would be a different pattern than RA. RA affects the joints bilaterally.Thanks guys. I know it's silly, but I'm actually nervous about this appointment! All of this has happened to me so quickly and I guess I just want to know what's going on, so I can better understand it. I was always the one who prided myself in being able to work right alongside my husband on renovating our house, carrying 4 x 8 sheets of plywood and moving furniture or whatever. Now I get so sore and tired after grocery shopping I can't wait to go home! It takes me days to recover from vacuuming the house. Since I already have hypothyroidism and asthma which are auto-immune diseases, I just want to be sure there's not something systemic going on.
Terinski, I'll be sure to ask the doctor about the Anti-CCP and if they did that test. I appreciate the head's up. I'll also ask about Celebrex.
Thanks again.
Hillhoney, bring your list of questions so dont forget anything. Just getting it all written down should ease your mind a bit.I was worried too when I was sent for my blood work. My GP put me on Celebrex right away when I went to his office with a lot of swelling. By the time I got a letter from the hospital to go for my tests, I had been on Celebrex for three weeks! I was scared that the tests wouldn't show really what is going on with me. But, they did. I got a call back to go see my GP within a few days and he told me the tests showed severe inflamitory arthritis. He didn't know what kind really, but he said with all my symptoms, it is most likely RA. Now, I am waiting to go to a rheumatologist. It is scary. These doctor visits are funny. You are scared they do find something, but then are scared that they don't and you have no answers as to what is going on! Like a roller coaster sometimes.Geez, I hate doctors. When I got there she was running 20 minutes late. So as soon as I entered her office, I could tell she was in a hurry and was going to get this visit over with ASAP. I don't think I actually was able to complete a single sentence. She cut me off before I could finish each time. She started out saying that all the blood work came back normal, as she expected. Terinski, you know how you said your doctor seemed to appreciate that you knew about the tests - well this doctor seemed annoyed that I was slowing her down to ask specifics. No she didn't do the anti-CCP, because she didn't think it was necessary.
I left with a new prescription for Etodolac 400 mg. to use instead of the ibuprofen and an order for physical therapy. I asked about the new OA medicine called Limbrel that I learned about on this forum, but she had never heard of it. I wanted to check with her about any heart related concerns with NSAIDS, but she was already standing there with the door open, so I got up and left. I have an appointment to go back in 4 months, but I intend to find a different doctor before then.
I'd tell the next doctor as soon as they walk in the door that you've changed doctors already because the last doctor you saw didn't have three minutes to dedicate to you and your concerns. You are a paying customer just like the others. You deserve the same attention the rest of them get!!
Girl; I'm mad for you!!
Me too! I get so aggrivated with these doctors.I know darn well my insurance company will be paying a pretty penny for that ridiculous visit I had today, plus my copay. I know one thing's for sure - I won't schedule another doctor's appointment for 11:30 again - I wouldn't want to delay anyone's lunch break! I guess it was really rude of me to actually want to ask questions about what it is I've got and why I've got it! GRRRR!
Hillhoney, I share your frustration with doctors!! I think we should send one of US to medical school!!I am sorry your Dr rushed you out like that. I hate it too. The only results I have ever gotten from my complaints was when I started going to a free clinic they opened up here. I have been twice now and this Dr is the one who is ordering all the blood tests to find out what is wrong with me and found my sed rate to be 51. I only have to pay for half of the blood tests that are sent out and they pay for the others. This Dr took alot of time with me and gave me two weeks worth of celebrex which I am scared to take because upon returning home and doing research on it, you can't take it if you are allergic to sulpha, which I am. Since my sed rate was so high, he sent me in for fivemore tests this morning to check for RA and lupus and a couple of other things. Only problem is he won't be back for two weeks but he cares so much, I will wait.
I am happy you are getting a different Dr :)