Re: Re: Tests for RA Dx (sorry LONG first posting) Missy

[Guest guest]

Missy, the C-reactive protein blood test measures the inflammation in

your body. My rheumy uses this to monitor my RA.

Sue

On Saturday, September 30, 2006, at 11:09 AM, sewmissy2 wrote:

> Thanks so MUCH for the wonderful warm welcome! I have decided to

> wait for further testing until we switch insurance. It would better

> not to have a preexisting RA dx for this reason. And since my

> symptoms are not seeming to progress very rapidly, this is a good

> option for me. I did read up on testing that would be good to have,

> and it looks as if rheumatiod factor, anti-CCP and a SED rate would

> be good ones to have. If someone has some to add, please let me

> know.

[Guest guest]

Missy!

It's a small world! I haven't posted on NTH much lately. I'm one of

several moderators on a Hashi's list, less volume. I've got my thyroid

stable and my joint pain will not go away. So Friday we ran the normal

stuff(Free's, ferritin, B12) and the stuff for RA. I have custom orthotics

now(three weeks). I'm on anti-inflammatories with no relief to my hips,

knees, ankles and feet. My neck is stiff. At times I have wrist and

shoulder pain. My lower back. Car rides are becoming painful. I have

fatigue too. I know the fatigue could be my ferritin or B12, it's so hard

to sort out.

I guess if I have RA, it's sorting through all the meds and the doctors

that I don't look forward to.

Good to see a hypo friend out there, I just joined this list.

Kate G

At 10:09 AM 9/30/2006, you wrote:

>Thanks so MUCH for the wonderful warm welcome! I have decided to

>wait for further testing until we switch insurance. It would better

>not to have a preexisting RA dx for this reason. And since my

>symptoms are not seeming to progress very rapidly, this is a good

>option for me. I did read up on testing that would be good to have,

>and it looks as if rheumatiod factor, anti-CCP and a SED rate would

>be good ones to have. If someone has some to add, please let me

>know.

>

>I agree with you Kathe that since Dad has never had a positive RF,

>that I probably wouldn't either. But I do think RA is what is going

>on with my hands. I also have a nodule that popped up a couple

>years ago on my middle finger, second joint..so that seems to be

>another indication that it can be RA. I guess some people can have

>a slowly progressing version? That seems to be what I have.

>

>Anyway, it is really good to know that there are others that know

>what this pain and stiffness is like. And what it does to you first

>thing in the morning...YUCK!

>

>I guess I should say that I also have Hashimoto's that is being

>treated and I feel good as far as thyroid is concerned. But as you

>say, autoimmune diseases go together..and I seem to have more than

>one. As far as RA symptoms, another might be the dry eyes and

>recently drier mouth..isn't that a symptom? Or am I confused.

>

>I am busy as a moderator of the Natural Thyroid Hormones group and a

>forum moderator on a site called stopthethyroidmadness.com so I

>will try to check in here from time to time, but please understand

>if I take awhile to do so. I love the idea of patient to patient

>support! I do it myself all the time. There is only so much a

>doctor can do, but we can fill in the gap with each other with lots

>of encouragement and suggestions for better health.

>

>Thanks so much for all of your encouragement for me, it feels so

>good to be on the receiving end for once! And if anyone has

>anything else to add, please do..I am very open to suggestions at

>this point.

>Missy

[Guest guest]

Hi Missy!

I just got my tests back, except B12 they forgot to run and will run

it. Good news my ferritin is up to 54! They said all of the RA factors

came back negative, but I know it can be RA and it not show in blood

work. But they are going to run hip xrays next week. That is my biggest

pain. Yes, I was on HC it was keeping my pain down (not completely

gone). I weaned off 3 months ago. Bad news by FT4 is 1.2 (.8-1.8) and my

FT4 was 412. Wow look like adrenal. I've had a few dizzy things this

week. I've been fatigued and very hard to get up in the am, go, go after

dinner. Dr gave my Meloxicam 7.5 for the hips. I've got the hip xray and

thyroid ultra sound on Tuesday. I think I need to go back on HC, but I'm

going to see what the hip xray shows and what she wants to do, might get an

rx for pred or HC. Hopefully we will have the B12 test back too. She will

give the shot but hasn't done any of the tests for PA.

It's good to see you on this board too. Sorry your having to deal with RA

stuff too. Take it easy!

Got to run! I pray we all get it sorted out!

Kate

At 09:44 PM 10/4/2006, sewmissy2 wrote:

>Oh Kate! So good to see you here, but so sorry that you are having

>the pain too. I worked hard on the thyroid end of this to see if

>maybe all the joint pain would go away. But I think the only thing

>that actually helped it was the HC I was taking for my adrenals.

>Weren't you on HC too? Did you find the same thing happened..that

>your joint pain was way better while taking that? I feel now that I

>am nearly off the HC, that it is probably RA...just like my doctor

>said nearly 4 years ago.

>

>So sorry to hear that you are still struggling with all these

>issues You have a bunch of autoimmune stuff going on. Have you

>ever been Dx'd with pernicious anemia? I know you have struggled

>with B-12 and anemia. I guess you are like me in a way, taking it

>one symptom at a time and eventually hoping to solve it. I hope the

>very best for you Kate.

>Missy

>

>

>

> >

> > Missy!

> >

> > It's a small world! I haven't posted on NTH much lately. I'm one

>of

> > several moderators on a Hashi's list, less volume. I've got my

>thyroid

> > stable and my joint pain will not go away. So Friday we ran the

>normal

> > stuff(Free's, ferritin, B12) and the stuff for RA. I have custom

>orthotics

> > now(three weeks). I'm on anti-inflammatories with no relief to my

>hips,

> > knees, ankles and feet. My neck is stiff. At times I have wrist

>and

> > shoulder pain. My lower back. Car rides are becoming painful. I

>have

> > fatigue too. I know the fatigue could be my ferritin or B12, it's

>so hard

> > to sort out.

> >

> > I guess if I have RA, it's sorting through all the meds and the

>doctors

> > that I don't look forward to.

> >

> > Good to see a hypo friend out there, I just joined this list.

> >

> > Kate G

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Missy,

Last time the FT3 was that high I went on HC and it all leveled out. I'm

going to go 1/4 grain and see what happens. I don't like my FT4. I should

know about the B12 by Tuesday.

I used MSM in the past for joint pain, I was up to 8000mg, but still had

pain. I hope to know more after my x-ray. I used it on my horse years ago.

Yep I homeschool Mikey, take care of the animals and work 26-28 hours a

week.

Good to touch base!

Got to run eat dinner.

Kate

At 07:36 PM 10/7/2006, you wrote:

>Hi Kate,

> I'm so glad to see your ferritin is finally moving up..I remember

>you had a terrible time getting it to rise.

>

>It is good to know what the RF says, even if it is negative. My dad

>has RA and a negative RF also. But he has a definitel Dx from 2

>different Rheumys. I sure hope your hip pain can be relieved and

>quickly. That must make it tough for you..don't you homeschool your

>kids? You need to be able to keep up with them!

>

>On the Thyroid, why is the FT3 so bad? Is 412 way over range?

>Should not be..mine is 600 and IS over range. The FT4 should

>probably be a little higher as it should be in the top 1/3 as that

>is where most of us feel best. Can you take more Armour? Or do you

>feel maxed out with that? If you feel you still need the HC, it is

>a great idea to try to get an Rx from the doctor..it sure does help

>with pain..amazing how much.

>

>Hope that your B-12 is staying up for you and that PA is not an

>issue at all.

>

>I am in the process of trying megadoses of MSM just to see if it

>will help. I am up to 10,000 mg daily now. Glucosamine/Chondroitin

>helped me immensely for 3 years, but I read that it can cause some

>long term problems when you go off of it. I am not positive this is

>true, but I am being cautious about it. But if the MSM doesn't give

>me relief, I will be back on my glucosamine.

>

>Here's hoping for a quick resolution to your hip pain..and all of

>the other stuff... Keep in touch.

>Missy

>

>

>

>

>

> >

> > Hi Missy!

> >

> > I just got my tests back, except B12 they forgot to run and will

>run

> > it. Good news my ferritin is up to 54! They said all of the RA

>factors

> > came back negative, but I know it can be RA and it not show in

>blood

> > work. But they are going to run hip xrays next week. That is my

>biggest

> > pain. Yes, I was on HC it was keeping my pain down (not

>completely

> > gone). I weaned off 3 months ago. Bad news by FT4 is 1.2 (.8-

>1.8) and my

> > FT4 was 412. Wow look like adrenal. I've had a few dizzy things

>this

> > week. I've been fatigued and very hard to get up in the am, go,

>go after

> > dinner. Dr gave my Meloxicam 7.5 for the hips. I've got the hip

>xray and

> > thyroid ultra sound on Tuesday. I think I need to go back on HC,

>but I'm

> > going to see what the hip xray shows and what she wants to do,

>might get an

> > rx for pred or HC. Hopefully we will have the B12 test back too.

>She will

> > give the shot but hasn't done any of the tests for PA.

> >

> > It's good to see you on this board too. Sorry your having to deal

>with RA

> > stuff too. Take it easy!

> >

> > Got to run! I pray we all get it sorted out!

> >

> > Kate

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>