sedimentation rate (ESR) - inflammation
CRP (C-reactive protein) binding - inflammation
serum protein electrophoresis
routine blood counts
routine chemistry panels
increased muscle enzymes (such as CPK) if muscle involvement is present.
Anti-nuclear antibody test (ANA) t
Anti-DNA antibody test
Anti-Sm antibody test
Complement C3 & C4
T4 - thyroid
TSH - thyroid
If I think of anymore, I'll let you know ! Good luck with your appointment !
please have them test you for lyme.
Ahh... lyme ! Thank you, springbrock. I knew I forgot a good one.
Hi! Well the Dr. said none of my symptoms posted a red flag and I needed to relax because everything seemed to be hurting. Obviously, he thinks it is all in my head! He said I could have all the tests but wants me to wait to see my own Dr. who comes back in November. I have an appointment with her November 6th. She had sent me to a rheumotologist who has ordered more blood work but gave me something to take at night as he thinks I am not in a deep enough sleep. Otherwise, I think he thinks I am a hypochondriac too. I never complain about my issues to others and it is not in my head. My feet and ankles swell at night and are swollen in the mornings. How do I make that happen? I have 3 things that bother me most. 1. Fatigue, I cannot stay awake as my eyes become heavy and often my nodes in my arm and groin ache until I nap. I nap at my lunch at school, nap when I get home, nap again before supper. It is getting worse! 2. There is something in my throat that hurts everytime I swallow. The Dr. asked if I can get food down, I can and said everyones throat feels that way! 3. My mid back now aches in the morning and I am getting pain under my right rib every evening and wake up with sharp ones at night. I just need help and do not know what to do next. Help???
It is so frustrating when a doctor says it's "All in your head". Moreover, sometimes "in your head" doesn't mean there aren't actual symptoms which need medical treatment.
I once had a doctor tell me I'd feel better if I went home and put make up on. Shortly after that, and after seeing a different doctor, I had an ovarian cyst the size of a small orange removed, along with half of an ovary.
I hope you find a doctor with some compassion and a willingness to go the distance to help you, to at the very least relieve some of your symptoms.
Do you have any news yet?
Good Luck!