Hi all. I have been trying to get this posted to the Dr. forum, but keep missing out when he is taking new questions. So it is worded to go to that forum.
Anyway, someone probably can chime in on this. It is discussed quite frequently, but I haven't found the answer in the archives. I appreciate any info.
Hello Dr. D.,
I have a question regarding RA factor and cryo. I am a treatment naive GT1a, cirrhotic with stage 1 varicies, platelets holding around 90. Most likely will begin treatment in the fall with Alinia added to the mix as I feel I can't wait for Telaprevir approval.
Extremely swollen ankles got me back to the doctor in 2006 after ignoring my health issues for almost 10 years. I was worried they were related to my liver function. At that appointment the doc looked at them and said it has nothing to do with my liver. He didn't know why they were swollen. I have recently visited a new hepatologist in preparation to treat and the teaching fellow that did my exam noted my swollen ankles/feet and did a "hmmmmm". Unfortunately it didn't get discussed when the Big Doc came in to talk about a plan. We forgot!
I did get my labs back and noticed that new guy (wonderful doctor!) ran a cryo test and RA factor. The cryo came back "Trace" and the RA Factor was 59. I have read here that this is common for people with this virus but don't understand what it means in the big picture.
Do I have RA? Or do heppers just have the weird test result with no symptoms? Is that number too low to mean anything?
Or would this finally explain this off and on TREMENDOUS swelling of ankles (also suffer from very painful shoulders and knees, BUT it is not constant, comes and goes). And possibly solve the numb fingers mystery as well? Neither hepatologist mentioned this when looking at these puffer fish I call feet.
Also I think I understand that the cryo is cured by treating, but what does the RA mean for me? I have taken ibuprofen over the years to deal with pain from my joints, but they tell me now, no nsaids or aspirin. Tylenol doesn't help much. If I keep the advil to a daily minimum when I am hurting is it OK?
Foo