Hi ! Been wanting to catch up with you. The first rheumy said I have RA and the new one I went to says I don't. My nuclear whole body scan shows most EVERY joint in my body to be degenerative. (does that mean erosion)? I do have that positive RA Factor and have pain. But now I don't know if I may have Lupus. My Lupus labs are negative including the DNA. Can they eventually become positive? I'm having bad neuro problems (pins/needles that sting so hard all over my body along with tremors and muscle twitching).
Anway, the first doc wants me on mxt and plaquinal. But can't take it cause I have latent TB. If I take any immune surpressents, it would activate the TB. My infectious disease doc doesn't want me on INH (TB antibiotic that's taken 9-12 months). He says I'm too old and it's very toxic, especially on the liver. My liver enzymes are up anyway. Can't take INH with a muscle disorder (I have fibro) or neuro problems, which I have. The only meds I'm on is some xanax and nexium. That shouldn't do it. I was on Lipitor for quite some time and that's very hard on the liver. Wondering if that did damage. I went off it several months ago and now my cholesterol is back up. Cardiologist wants me back on Lipitor but it will just make my enzymes go back up. "catch22". I always had taken the prednisone pack dosage for my asthma and that could have activated my TB but it didn't. Whew!!! Didn't know prednisone can do that and I didn't tell my allergest I was +PPD.
Got new results yesterday. My Bun/Creatinine Ratio and Bun is creeping up.
Hi Lari, What meds are you taking for your RA? That could be affecting your labs.