I went for my scheduled infusion of Orensia today and also saw my rheumy. I had had swollen lymph nodes under my arms last time I saw him and today he said they are bigger and I need to get a CT scan of my chest, abdomen and pelvis. He also is testing for protein in my urine and is doing a monoclonal screen of my blood? What is all this about? Anyone know?
thanks alot, trish
checking for mono? or anytype of infection.
kel
I would imagine checking for any type of infection especially if your lymph glands (which are kind of like the filter system for the body) are more enlarged than last time.The lymph are a part of the bodies immune system. They tend to swell when they are working hard - fighting an infection, during an RA flare, and when there is cancer.
I think your doc is looking for an infection with the blood work, verifying that your kidneys are OK - no protein in urine, and making sure you don't have cancer - CT scan.
He is just being a careful doc and not chalking up your swollen lymph to RA. (It probably is RA).
And yes I always get scared too when 'they' start checking me for stuff like cancer.
Dear trish, it sounds like they don't want to give you the medication (Orensia) if you have an infection. It is probably going to be okay and you'll be back on the drug in a week or so. they come unglued if we get infections! Let us hear how it goes.
best of luck, and I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.
sarah
Trish, I do suspect that he is checking for problems with the lymph nodes. One of the potential side effects is lymphatic cancer. However, before you get really scared, he is probably being on the extreme cautious side of this. You want a doctor that is going to check it out. That is so incredibly important.