Here are my Test Results

[nanascraps]

OK I finally got a copy of my labs:

CRP Ultra Quant            Ref Range  0.0-6.0                My result: 17.4

Complement C3             Ref Range  97-189                My result: 183

Complement C4             Ref Range  15-47                  My result: 42

Sed Rate                       Ref Range   0-30                   My result: 17

Rheumatoid Factor, Scleroderma Ab, Sjorgen's Antibodies, Anti-SM/RNP, DNA double stranded, Histone Antibodies: All it says is NEGATIVE.

Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide            Ref Range <20         My result: 5

Vitamin D                      Ref Range 20-100                    My result: 17

Microalbumin Urine         Ref Range 0.0 - 2.1                   My result: 48.6 !

C Peptide (see if pancreas is working still) (I'm a Type 1 Diabetic)
Ref Range 1.1 - 4.4                My result: 0.9 ( poor little thing is worn out!)


I see that the CRP is high and that the Complement C3 and C4 are on the high side. Any thoughts on any of these? So do I really have RA????

[nanascraps]

I went out yesterday and bought myself a little notebook to keep in my purse with my questions and for note taking. I feel like I am in school again! :) The cellulitis is much better today! Still very red and tender but not swollen and hot anymore. Bad thing is I woke up off and on all night with my ankles, knees and hands hurting like crazy! Very swollen this am. We'll see what the day brings!

[txsilver]

Cathie,

I am so sorry to read you got cellulitis and that the plaquenil may have been a contributing factor!  They may need to look at another treatment for you.  
I recommend leaving your list of questions for the doctor in your purse and only pulling it out to add to it.  This is the only way I am actually able to get my list to the doctor's office.  I also take extra paper and a pen so I can take notes.  On real foggy days I have my husband go with me so he can help me make sure I get all the info down I need.  
Please keep us posted on your progress.  I worry about you.....

[nanascraps]

Cellulitits is an infection of the skin and fat under the skin. It's bacterial so he put me on Cipro 1000 mg a day. Hopefully it starts working! Our AC at work here went out a couple of hours ago and it is so dang hot! It's 93 outside and 85 here in my office! :(

[spastic]

Ouch Cathie!!! That has got to hurt!!!  I'm sorry Sweetie.  My recorder is digital so I can download it on the computer and make files.  It was around thirty dollars at Walmart.  It was definately a good investment.

What is the treatment for cellullitis?  It sounds so painful, I feel for you, Sweetie.

[nanascraps]

That's another thing to think about, a recorder. The problem with my Dr also is that he is from Africa and he has an accent and sometimes it is hard to understand what he is saying. I am having a hard time today. I am diabetic and I get these "boils" all over my body and have been for years but I got one about a week ago on my inner thigh and I dealt with it like I usually do but then yesterday my whole thigh was swollen and bright red and warm. Went to my GP and he said I have cellullitis. He said the plaquenil supresses my immune system and that is probably why I got the cellulitis. My leg is aching horrible right now. I'm thinking of going home but we are so short handed right now ( 1 person on vacation and they laid off 1 person) so I'm not sure what to do.

[spastic]

One time I had cog-fog so bad, my hubby made me take a voice recorder to my appt so I could refer back to what the Dr said and so the old man could hear what they said because most of the time I would forget half of what they said!  It was so embarrassing asking the Dr if its okay to record our conversation. hehehe  The cog fog is better now that I'm not having high fevers everyday.  Maybe the cog fog was delirium? hehehe

Love,

Ada

[nanascraps]

With my luck I will forget it at home! Ha Ha! I think I will set up a reminder on my outlook e-mail!

[spastic]

Hey Sweetie, glad to hear your making a list for him.  Sometimes I get sooo mad at these Dr's for keeping us in the dark like they do.  I have been known to let my anger get in the way at appts but sometimes short of bopping them in the head, what can we do?  A question list is always a good idea, just don't do what I do and forget it at home, ok?

Thinking of you Sweetie,

Ada

[nanascraps]

At my next visit I am going to try and be more bold and really question him on a lot of things. I am making a list of questions to ask him. Hope you are feeling well!! Thanks for being there  for me!! :)

Cathie

[spastic]

I am glad to hear you are getting more energy and less muscle pains.  So glad to hear that!!!

Do you have a follow up appt with the rheumy?  I think he needs to explain this thing you have in full detail, leaving nothing out.  I don't understand what is wrong with them.  Unless we push for answers, we don't get any.  He should not of left you in the loop like that.  Bad Rheumy :(

I have found my internal med Dr is a gem when I need answers.  My office visits with her are no less than an hour and a half.  No kidding.  She is great.

I'm here if you need me Sweetie.

Love,

Ada

[nanascraps]

Also the Rheum put me on 50,000 IU of Vitamin D once a week. I've been on it for a little over a month now and I actually have a little more energy and not so many muscle pains.  :)

[nanascraps]

Thanks for the info! I see an Endo for my diabetes and I am surprised she didn't say anything about my microalbumin. I'm hoping she saw it! I am going to question her about it when I see her at the end of this month. I am thinking that the Rheum is calling what I have "auto Immune arthritis" because of these results. I'm guessing they don't really point to RA.

[smittygirl]

Being a type 1 diabetic the microalbumin test is used to see if and how much of a protein called albumin is in your kidneys.  Yours is somewhat high.  What type of doctor ran these tests?  Do you see an endocrinologist for your diabetes?   The sed rate is also a measure of inflammation in the body and your #'s are normal.   Just remember the RH factor can be positive in people who do NOT have the disease and test negative and HAVE RA.  I will tell you my standard advice to everyone, talk to your Dr, about the test results and MAKE him/her explain to you what they all mean and what the next plan of action is.  Keep us posted and good luck to you.


Sue

[spastic]

Hi Sweetie, I pulled this info off of lab tests online.  I will say that your vitamin d level is really low.  I hope that you are taking a supplement, I take 1000 i.u.'s a day and one day a week I take 5000 i.u.'s.  I am not quite sure what to say about it.  I hope others will join in here and share their knowledge of lab results.  When is your next appt with the Dr?  

CRP-It is also ordered to help evaluate conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. The test may be repeated to determine whether treatment of an inflammatory disease is effective since CRP levels drop as inflammation subsides.


Complement testing may be ordered to help diagnose the cause of recurrent microbial infections, angioedema, or inflammation. It may be used to help diagnose and to monitor the activity of acute or chronic autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). It may be tested and monitored with immune complex-related diseases and conditions such as: glomerulonephritis (a kidney disorder), serum sickness, rheumatoid arthritis, and vasculitis (inflammation of a blood vessel). When immune complexes form, complement helps to clear them from the blood, making levels of complement low.

I hope you are doing okay.  Check out that website, Sweetie.  I am sending many, many hugs your way.

Your Friend,

Ada