Re: Re: thanks for the welcome!

[Guest guest]

Jane,

When my ra dr checked me (bloodwork) for Lupus, he said it was only 1:80 and two months later, it was 1:160. He hasn't checked it in a while,but I am supposed to go anytime for more bloodwork and amongst it all he is checking that # again. He never explained to me what it meant, could you? Thanks, chafarm123 <chafarm@...> wrote:

Joyce, I am a critical care RN with Hashimoto's, RA and Lupus. My ANA is 1:640. I know this is a terrible blow but the way I keep functional is that I tell myself that this has been ongoing in my body for quite some time, and that although the Hashimoto's has had a label for 14 years, the others were only labelled 8 weeks ago. In reality I knew this was wrong, and I have been waiting for it to be labelled. Your condition has not changed.....only the label has. As for the future, there are research centers all over the world working on a myriad of autoimmune disorders which are way up on a world basis. Since we have each been diagnosed fairly early in the course of our illnesses, it is most likely that the end stage lupus that you and I

have seen in hospitals and has terrified us each, may well never happen to either of us. You and I only need to stay positive, seek rational treatment, rest sufficiently, and eat well, and out survive the destructive nature of these illnesses. I'll bet that we both can ! Jane> Hi All,> > Yes, I posted on Tuesday, but I think because I'm new, my posts have to go > through a moderator.> Since Tuesday, I had a few knocks of reality and I'm not real happy about > it. As I mentioned earlier,> I have put my head in the sand for the last 2 years. I'm not stupid, or > naive, I have even worked in> Biochemistry for the last 25 years...but...as all of you can relate...THIS > IS MY LIFE. I'm scared.> > Thank you Harold, and others,

for the prayers. I know first hand they > work. I am not real happy that> God thought this auto-immune disease, whatever it ends up being, was a good > idea. But I am> thankful there are medications and while it is really hard to admit I need > a drug to survive, I will do what> I need to do.> > , I'm sorry you have to be on this list, but I'm glad we're the same > age! I don't have a "firm" diagnosis,> but I am in between Lupus and RA. Thanks for the warning on the > Bextra! Oddly enough, two friends of mine,> Dave Dewitt and Bill (professors at Michigan State University) > discovered the 2 enzyme!! Dave said> Vioxx really isn't bad either...you have to realize aspirin comes from the > willow tree (salix...) and they removed> a lot of the stomach upset from aspirin and left the anti-inflammatory

> action. Well, many people (me included)> are overweight and use these medications for pain - but may have a > predisposition to heart disease (I don't).> If there are any questions you think I can answer - or direct to the > "right" people, I would be happy to. We> need to support each other...this is scary, and it hurts!> > , Ibuprofen? Wow, the way the post came across I couldn't tell if it > was 4x800mg/daily or 4800 mg daily...> sorry. Please let me know, I'll try anything. Also, one of the reasons my > rheumy got me to take Plaquenil was> that it has been around for 50 years...??? Hmmm...> > On another note, please add prayers again...yesterday when I went to give > my rheumy a copy of my> insurance card, I asked for a copy of my blood test results. I was so sure > all of this is a big mistake,

that> I almost broke out in tears (well, I welled up in tears), when my ANA > titer, which has been 1:40 for 2.5 years jumped to> 1:160 in one month. Does this mean "hello, lupus?" I am scared, > sorry. Or is it both?? This sucks, it really does.> > Please allow me to gripe for a minute - I have done a lot to keep myself > healthy, I do a lot for others, I know> about nutrition and my work and personal life has been hell, and felt I > deserved a break. What do I get? A life> changing disease that I can't talk to my engineer husband about 'cause he > is so neurotic and would probably think> I am dying and DISCONNECT from me, so I just tell him I have arthritis. Is > anyone else in this situation? He's a> great guy, but knows nothing about medical issues and always assumes the > worst..."Oh, Lupus/RA, when will you>

be dead?" I tried to tell him something about it last week and got, "Oh, > you mean you need a wheelchair?" I felt like> saying, "Yes, to cart your dead body around." I am sorry if this sounds > offensive and these aren't things I verbalize> to my husband, it's just sick mental humor that helps me get by.> > Thank you for allowing me the long post, and take care everyone!> Hugs,> Joyce in MI__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Jane,

Could you privately write me so we can discuss this bloodwork of mine? Thanks~shelly smiegal <shelsmieg2000@...> wrote:

Jane,

When my ra dr checked me (bloodwork) for Lupus, he said it was only 1:80 and two months later, it was 1:160. He hasn't checked it in a while,but I am supposed to go anytime for more bloodwork and amongst it all he is checking that # again. He never explained to me what it meant, could you? Thanks, chafarm123 <chafarm@...> wrote:

Joyce, I am a critical care RN with Hashimoto's, RA and Lupus. My ANA is 1:640. I know this is a terrible blow but the way I keep functional is that I tell myself that this has been ongoing in my body for quite some time, and that although the Hashimoto's has had a label for 14 years, the others were only labelled 8 weeks ago. In reality I knew this was wrong, and I have been waiting for it to be labelled. Your condition has not changed.....only the label has. As for the future, there are research centers all over the world working on a myriad of autoimmune disorders which are way up on a world basis. Since we have each been diagnosed fairly early in the course of our illnesses, it is most likely that the end stage lupus that you and I

have seen in hospitals and has terrified us each, may well never happen to either of us. You and I only need to stay positive, seek rational treatment, rest sufficiently, and eat well, and out survive the destructive nature of these illnesses. I'll bet that we both can ! Jane> Hi All,> > Yes, I posted on Tuesday, but I think because I'm new, my posts have to go > through a moderator.> Since Tuesday, I had a few knocks of reality and I'm not real happy about > it. As I mentioned earlier,> I have put my head in the sand for the last 2 years. I'm not stupid, or > naive, I have even worked in> Biochemistry for the last 25 years...but...as all of you can relate...THIS > IS MY LIFE. I'm scared.> > Thank you Harold, and others,

for the prayers. I know first hand they > work. I am not real happy that> God thought this auto-immune disease, whatever it ends up being, was a good > idea. But I am> thankful there are medications and while it is really hard to admit I need > a drug to survive, I will do what> I need to do.> > , I'm sorry you have to be on this list, but I'm glad we're the same > age! I don't have a "firm" diagnosis,> but I am in between Lupus and RA. Thanks for the warning on the > Bextra! Oddly enough, two friends of mine,> Dave Dewitt and Bill (professors at Michigan State University) > discovered the 2 enzyme!! Dave said> Vioxx really isn't bad either...you have to realize aspirin comes from the > willow tree (salix...) and they removed> a lot of the stomach upset from aspirin and left the anti-inflammatory

> action. Well, many people (me included)> are overweight and use these medications for pain - but may have a > predisposition to heart disease (I don't).> If there are any questions you think I can answer - or direct to the > "right" people, I would be happy to. We> need to support each other...this is scary, and it hurts!> > , Ibuprofen? Wow, the way the post came across I couldn't tell if it > was 4x800mg/daily or 4800 mg daily...> sorry. Please let me know, I'll try anything. Also, one of the reasons my > rheumy got me to take Plaquenil was> that it has been around for 50 years...??? Hmmm...> > On another note, please add prayers again...yesterday when I went to give > my rheumy a copy of my> insurance card, I asked for a copy of my blood test results. I was so sure > all of this is a big mistake,

that> I almost broke out in tears (well, I welled up in tears), when my ANA > titer, which has been 1:40 for 2.5 years jumped to> 1:160 in one month. Does this mean "hello, lupus?" I am scared, > sorry. Or is it both?? This sucks, it really does.> > Please allow me to gripe for a minute - I have done a lot to keep myself > healthy, I do a lot for others, I know> about nutrition and my work and personal life has been hell, and felt I > deserved a break. What do I get? A life> changing disease that I can't talk to my engineer husband about 'cause he > is so neurotic and would probably think> I am dying and DISCONNECT from me, so I just tell him I have arthritis. Is > anyone else in this situation? He's a> great guy, but knows nothing about medical issues and always assumes the > worst..."Oh, Lupus/RA, when will you>

be dead?" I tried to tell him something about it last week and got, "Oh, > you mean you need a wheelchair?" I felt like> saying, "Yes, to cart your dead body around." I am sorry if this sounds > offensive and these aren't things I verbalize> to my husband, it's just sick mental humor that helps me get by.> > Thank you for allowing me the long post, and take care everyone!> Hugs,> Joyce in MI

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