RA factor and CLL

[Rhino7777]

I am a 50 year old woman with CLL, diabetes and COPD., My CLL is considered indolent.Stage 1-2 . Over the last 5 months I have steadily developed increased pain and stiffness symetricly in my hips and elbows. Sometimes in my hands too. It has become debilitating. My RA level has come back very, very high.  and I'm now on painkillers daily. Is this a sign my CLL is transforming into something more aggressive? Or a new thing ? I should mention I had been on prednisone for 12 years prior for the COPD. Off them now, taking advair.


This discussion is related to rising Rheumatoid Factor titers and prognosis.

[txsilver]

Bless your heart.  I am sorry you are suffering.  If you are having symetric pain and have a high RA factor, chances are good that this is something new.  I am not certain what this will mean for your CLL, diabetes and COPD in terms of how they will treat you.  When is your next doctor appt.?  Starting a list of questions to ask that you can take with you will help make sure you get the answers you need.  My doc wouldn't recognize me without my paper and pen.  
Are the pain killers helping you?  Do you have a pain management doctor?  If not, I would recommend you ask for a referral to one.  

[Rhino7777]

Thank you so much for your kind words. I don't have a pain management doctor. Live in small town Northern British Columbia. I'm heading to Vancouver next month to see a rhumatologist. I'm hoping he can help. My own doctor thinks maybe the cancer cells are stimulating a form of RA.
Thats good advice, I'll take a pen and paper. I've had so many medical proceedures done in the last year, when they talk all I hear now is wha, wha wha wha wha.

[txsilver]

A small town in Northern BC sounds divine.  I bet it is beautiful.  I know what you mean about getting a lot of procedures done and having things start to run together and sound like white noise.  I am glad you are getting in to a rheummy.  Hopefully the two doctors can work together to determine a treatment plan for you.  It is important to get the pain under control as it can take on a life of it's own.  If your rheummy and/or your other doc are not willing to prescribe stronger pain meds than you are taking, do ask about a pain management doctor.  Look forward to hearing from you again.