Re: ANTI-CCP TEST

[Guest guest]

Dee, I also tested positive for RA using the anti ccp test...Dr Whitman ordered

it...I had been positive for Scleroderma for years...I am positive but so far,

not bad re the RA...Dr. Whitman said it indicates that I have an overlap of RA

along with my SD...but that was all it means...according to DR W.

By the way...some would then say that since I tested positive for SD and RA...I

have MCTD...Mixed Connective Tissue Disease...that would be an incorrect usage

of MCTD...in order for the disease to be referred to as MCTD, one must have

antibodies for the RNP antibody...which I do not...therefore I have SD and

RA...per DR. Whitman..

Hope this helps some.

Debbie

rheumatic ANTI-CCP TEST

Hi Everyone,

Hope you're all feeling well. I had an appointment with my rheumy today. The

last time I went in for a visit it was blood work time. He did an anti-ccp

blood test along with the usual. He explained that this is a new test and

that's used to confirm the presence of RA. We knew I have RA so I'm not sure

exactly why he did the test. Anyway, he went on to say that the presence of

these antibodies is a predictor for what he calls a " worse course of the

disease " . Guess who tests positive? And the RF factor is on the rise after

reaching remission level for years. Okay so know I'm worried. I have been

flaring and no matter what I'm trying it doesn't seem be reeling it in. I've

been in a flare since last June after my sister was murdered so I know the

stress of that triggered the beast. I'm up to 200mg of Minocin everyday and

the doctor warned me that I'd better start taking the Mobic everyday or I'm

asking for trouble. Nothing in my diet seems to be causing trouble. My

ankles were swollen all summer on and off and now my right wrist doesn't

look like it belongs on the same body as the left wrist does. Any ideas?

Regards,

Dee

[Guest guest]

Hi Dee,

I am sorry to hear about your problem. You have my deepest sympathy for the

death of your sister. I cannot imagine how hard this must have been on you.

Most of us on this site had our diseases triggered by an emotional trauma so

it is logical that your disease would get worse at this point. I hope we can

help.

What kind of antidepressant are you taking? I just read an article from a

while back that gives a bunch of different ones that can cause problems with

the antibiotic working. Are you taking anything that is new since your

traumatic event? Anything at all? What are you doing for the depression?

How is your doctor with doing the antibiotics? I mean is he OK with it or

does he think you would be better off on one of those nasty drugs? The

reason I ask is you may have to ask him to add another antibiotic to get you

past this.

How did you take your Minocin before you got up to daily? What is Mobic?

Have you tried the peroxide and Epsom salts soaks? What kind of antiinflam

are you on? Is it possible to get massages? In your case they may relax you

and less stress may help.

Waiting to hear from you.

Cooky

_____

From: rheumatic [mailto:rheumatic ] On Behalf

Of Dee Levine

Sent: Wednesday, February 27, 2008 6:36 PM

rheumatic

Subject: rheumatic ANTI-CCP TEST

Hi Everyone,

Hope you're all feeling well. I had an appointment with my rheumy today. The

last time I went in for a visit it was blood work time. He did an anti-ccp

blood test along with the usual. He explained that this is a new test and

that's used to confirm the presence of RA. We knew I have RA so I'm not sure

exactly why he did the test. Anyway, he went on to say that the presence of

these antibodies is a predictor for what he calls a " worse course of the

disease " . Guess who tests positive? And the RF factor is on the rise after

reaching remission level for years. Okay so know I'm worried. I have been

flaring and no matter what I'm trying it doesn't seem be reeling it in. I've

been in a flare since last June after my sister was murdered so I know the

stress of that triggered the beast. I'm up to 200mg of Minocin everyday and

the doctor warned me that I'd better start taking the Mobic everyday or I'm

asking for trouble. Nothing in my diet seems to be causing trouble. My

ankles were swollen all summer on and off and now my right wrist doesn't

look like it belongs on the same body as the left wrist does. Any ideas?

Regards,

Dee

[Guest guest]

The only thing I could find (google) about metallic taste with mino ( &

other AB's) is that it seems to be brought on by sun, or a combo of

calcium & D. Also, I read that that zinc can bring it on. I mention

that in case you're using a cream with zinc or something. FWIW, I too

tested positive for anti-ccp.

Amy

Dee Levine wrote:

>

> I have been

> flaring and no matter what I'm trying it doesn't seem be reeling it

> in. I've

> been in a flare since last June after my sister was murdered so I know the

> stress of that triggered the beast. I'm up to 200mg of Minocin

> everyday and

> the doctor warned me that I'd better start taking the Mobic everyday

> or I'm

> asking for trouble. Nothing in my diet seems to be causing trouble. My

> ankles were swollen all summer on and off and now my right wrist doesn't

> look like it belongs on the same body as the left wrist does. Any ideas?

>

> Regards,

>

> Dee

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Cooky,

Thanks for your kind words and thoughts. She'll be gone a year next month.

It was very traumatic and I was seeing a psychologist for a while after it

happened. I've never been on anti-depressants. I have always been the kind

of person who searches for the good things even in really bad situations. I

truly believe that everything we experience in life teaches us a lesson. We

just have to take the time to discover what it was meant to teach us;

sometimes it's not so obvious.

I have been a member of this group for 6 or 7 years. I just haven't been

posting much in the last few years. I was in remission until last summer

when the stress of it all finally caught up with me. My doctor is not

convinced the Minocin is what put me into remission. He wouldn't even

increase the dosage for me. I was taking 100mg MWF for years just to keep

things in check even though my labs were considered " normal " . I started

taking the additional Minocin on my own.

Mobic is an anti-inflammatory. I just hate taking more things than I have to

but I started taking it again todayI haven't tried the baths. It's kind of

hard to squeeze in time for that. I have 2 kids VERY active in sports and

between that and work there's not a lot of time left.

I'm just crossing my fingers that I'm getting closer to pulling through

this.

Dee

_____

From: rheumatic [mailto:rheumatic ] On Behalf

Of C Stonkey

Sent: Wednesday, February 27, 2008 7:23 PM

rheumatic

Subject: RE: rheumatic ANTI-CCP TEST

Hi Dee,

I am sorry to hear about your problem. You have my deepest sympathy for the

death of your sister. I cannot imagine how hard this must have been on you.

Most of us on this site had our diseases triggered by an emotional trauma so

it is logical that your disease would get worse at this point. I hope we can

help.

What kind of antidepressant are you taking? I just read an article from a

while back that gives a bunch of different ones that can cause problems with

the antibiotic working. Are you taking anything that is new since your

traumatic event? Anything at all? What are you doing for the depression?

How is your doctor with doing the antibiotics? I mean is he OK with it or

does he think you would be better off on one of those nasty drugs? The

reason I ask is you may have to ask him to add another antibiotic to get you

past this.

How did you take your Minocin before you got up to daily? What is Mobic?

Have you tried the peroxide and Epsom salts soaks? What kind of antiinflam

are you on? Is it possible to get massages? In your case they may relax you

and less stress may help.

Waiting to hear from you.

Cooky

_____

From: rheumatic@grou <mailto:rheumatic%40> ps.com

[mailto:rheumatic@grou <mailto:rheumatic%40> ps.com] On

Behalf

Of Dee Levine

Sent: Wednesday, February 27, 2008 6:36 PM

rheumatic@grou <mailto:rheumatic%40> ps.com

Subject: rheumatic ANTI-CCP TEST

Hi Everyone,

Hope you're all feeling well. I had an appointment with my rheumy today. The

last time I went in for a visit it was blood work time. He did an anti-ccp

blood test along with the usual. He explained that this is a new test and

that's used to confirm the presence of RA. We knew I have RA so I'm not sure

exactly why he did the test. Anyway, he went on to say that the presence of

these antibodies is a predictor for what he calls a " worse course of the

disease " . Guess who tests positive? And the RF factor is on the rise after

reaching remission level for years. Okay so know I'm worried. I have been

flaring and no matter what I'm trying it doesn't seem be reeling it in. I've

been in a flare since last June after my sister was murdered so I know the

stress of that triggered the beast. I'm up to 200mg of Minocin everyday and

the doctor warned me that I'd better start taking the Mobic everyday or I'm

asking for trouble. Nothing in my diet seems to be causing trouble. My

ankles were swollen all summer on and off and now my right wrist doesn't

look like it belongs on the same body as the left wrist does. Any ideas?

Regards,

Dee

[Guest guest]

Yes Dee take the Mobic. You need to take the inflammation down and make

yourself more comfortable. If the inflammation goes down maybe the Minocin

will work better also. So please take it as often as you are allowed. Any

other meds you have been on since the pain started?

How long have you been on the increased dosage? I am asking this because if

it has been a while you may want to go down to MWF again and see if that

nudge was enough to start the Minocin working again. At this point the

increase may be causing the pain.

If you have insurance you may want to see a psycharist again. This time to

help with the aggrevation of the disease. I am taking an antidepressant. I

search for good things too but sometimes you need help to find that out. I

believe the meds are not a crutch but a help to get over the hump and feel

less depressed. With 2 active kids you certainly want to be in the best

mental health for them.

I am leaving for Virginia in the morning and will not be back till Monday

but we will talk about this more then. In the meantime just know that since

you were in remission before..you can get there again. In the meantime I

will think more on your problem. And I know there are others who have had

similar problems and maybe they can inject a few helpful things.

More questions. Do you make sure you are on a good probiotic? When my pains

start to come back I usually reach for the aloe vera and Glutamine for the

stomach. Antibiotics can wreck the stomach lining and cause leaky gut. I

usually take a few days of Diflucan also. I have found that even on a low

sugar diet and probiotics I can still get yeast(no obvious symptoms) and

this may show up as pain.

Keep the faith girl.you'll get thru this!! (soft hugs)

Cooky

_____

From: rheumatic [mailto:rheumatic ] On Behalf

Of Dee Levine

Sent: Wednesday, February 27, 2008 7:55 PM

rheumatic

Subject: RE: rheumatic ANTI-CCP TEST

Hi Cooky,

Thanks for your kind words and thoughts. She'll be gone a year next month.

It was very traumatic and I was seeing a psychologist for a while after it

happened. I've never been on anti-depressants. I have always been the kind

of person who searches for the good things even in really bad situations. I

truly believe that everything we experience in life teaches us a lesson. We

just have to take the time to discover what it was meant to teach us;

sometimes it's not so obvious.

I have been a member of this group for 6 or 7 years. I just haven't been

posting much in the last few years. I was in remission until last summer

when the stress of it all finally caught up with me. My doctor is not

convinced the Minocin is what put me into remission. He wouldn't even

increase the dosage for me. I was taking 100mg MWF for years just to keep

things in check even though my labs were considered " normal " . I started

taking the additional Minocin on my own.

Mobic is an anti-inflammatory. I just hate taking more things than I have to

but I started taking it again todayI haven't tried the baths. It's kind of

hard to squeeze in time for that. I have 2 kids VERY active in sports and

between that and work there's not a lot of time left.

I'm just crossing my fingers that I'm getting closer to pulling through

this.

Dee

_____

From: rheumatic@grou <mailto:rheumatic%40> ps.com

[mailto:rheumatic@grou <mailto:rheumatic%40> ps.com] On

Behalf

Of C Stonkey

Sent: Wednesday, February 27, 2008 7:23 PM

rheumatic@grou <mailto:rheumatic%40> ps.com

Subject: RE: rheumatic ANTI-CCP TEST

Hi Dee,

I am sorry to hear about your problem. You have my deepest sympathy for the

death of your sister. I cannot imagine how hard this must have been on you.

Most of us on this site had our diseases triggered by an emotional trauma so

it is logical that your disease would get worse at this point. I hope we can

help.

What kind of antidepressant are you taking? I just read an article from a

while back that gives a bunch of different ones that can cause problems with

the antibiotic working. Are you taking anything that is new since your

traumatic event? Anything at all? What are you doing for the depression?

How is your doctor with doing the antibiotics? I mean is he OK with it or

does he think you would be better off on one of those nasty drugs? The

reason I ask is you may have to ask him to add another antibiotic to get you

past this.

How did you take your Minocin before you got up to daily? What is Mobic?

Have you tried the peroxide and Epsom salts soaks? What kind of antiinflam

are you on? Is it possible to get massages? In your case they may relax you

and less stress may help.

Waiting to hear from you.

Cooky

_____

From: rheumatic@grou <mailto:rheumatic%40> ps.com

[mailto:rheumatic@grou <mailto:rheumatic%40> ps.com] On

Behalf

Of Dee Levine

Sent: Wednesday, February 27, 2008 6:36 PM

rheumatic@grou <mailto:rheumatic%40> ps.com

Subject: rheumatic ANTI-CCP TEST

Hi Everyone,

Hope you're all feeling well. I had an appointment with my rheumy today. The

last time I went in for a visit it was blood work time. He did an anti-ccp

blood test along with the usual. He explained that this is a new test and

that's used to confirm the presence of RA. We knew I have RA so I'm not sure

exactly why he did the test. Anyway, he went on to say that the presence of

these antibodies is a predictor for what he calls a " worse course of the

disease " . Guess who tests positive? And the RF factor is on the rise after

reaching remission level for years. Okay so know I'm worried. I have been

flaring and no matter what I'm trying it doesn't seem be reeling it in. I've

been in a flare since last June after my sister was murdered so I know the

stress of that triggered the beast. I'm up to 200mg of Minocin everyday and

the doctor warned me that I'd better start taking the Mobic everyday or I'm

asking for trouble. Nothing in my diet seems to be causing trouble. My

ankles were swollen all summer on and off and now my right wrist doesn't

look like it belongs on the same body as the left wrist does. Any ideas?

Regards,

Dee

[Guest guest]

Dee,

I'm so sorry to hear about your sister. Please don't put too much stock into

the anti-ccp

test. I am negative also but have now read that the real indicator of disease

is the

presence of some HLA-DR2 genes. Sorry, I don't have time to search the internet

now but

there are several subtypes of some of these HLA-DR genes and rhumatology is

complicated. They used to think that sero-negative RA was molder but they've

changed

their mind on that too.

Please just try to think healing thoughts right now. You're in my thoughts.

>

> Hi Everyone,

>

>

>

> Hope you're all feeling well. I had an appointment with my rheumy today. The

> last time I went in for a visit it was blood work time. He did an anti-ccp

> blood test along with the usual. He explained that this is a new test and

> that's used to confirm the presence of RA. We knew I have RA so I'm not sure

> exactly why he did the test. Anyway, he went on to say that the presence of

> these antibodies is a predictor for what he calls a " worse course of the

> disease " . Guess who tests positive? And the RF factor is on the rise after

> reaching remission level for years. Okay so know I'm worried. I have been

> flaring and no matter what I'm trying it doesn't seem be reeling it in. I've

> been in a flare since last June after my sister was murdered so I know the

> stress of that triggered the beast. I'm up to 200mg of Minocin everyday and

> the doctor warned me that I'd better start taking the Mobic everyday or I'm

> asking for trouble. Nothing in my diet seems to be causing trouble. My

> ankles were swollen all summer on and off and now my right wrist doesn't

> look like it belongs on the same body as the left wrist does. Any ideas?

>

>

>

> Regards,

>

> Dee

>

>

>

>

>

>