Re: Normal labs

[Guest guest]

I love what my rheumy told me about normal lab tests,

and that was that if lab results told everything,

there would be no need for doctors. The lab tech's

could diagnose and just do it all. My lab tests were

always normal (until my liver function got messed up),

but he diagnosed me with autoimmune disease anyway.

Sharon

> Well, I know that I, too, was told that it probably

> wasn't an autoimmune

> disease because my labs were all normal. This just

> ain't so... I think

> many here have said that despite a serious flare

> going on, they had normal

> labs. RP is just as my rhuemy says, " a really weird

> disease. " My pcp, God

> bless her, just looked totally confused when I told

> her that the RP had been

> confirmed by 2 different rheumies. She just shook

> her head and said, " But

> all your labs were normal! " I guess this is where

> education and the RP

> foundation come in. If more doctors knew what to

> look for, we wouldn't have

> such a time getting a dx. I had all the classic

> symptoms, EXCEPT the ears.

> When the ears acted up, then they knew where to

> look!

>

> Anyway, I hope that you don't have RP. But if you

> do, you won't find a

> better place to ask questions and get support. This

> is just the BEST group!

>

> Kathleen (Tx)

>

>

>

> New member/ mail was sent

> to wrong site, so I'm

> enclosing it here.

>

>

> > Subj: [Polychondritismed] Pending RP Diagnosis

> & VERY anxious!

> > Date: 2/5/02 10:18:11 AM Pacific Standard Time

> > From: birdiea@... (a_birdie2000)

> > Reply-to: <A

> HREF= " mailto:Polychondritismed " >

> > Polychondritismed </A>

> > To: Polychondritismed

> >

> > Hello:

> > I actually found this group last August, when my

> ears (both sides)

> > became swollen and the specialist said I might

> have RP. However two

> > weeks later, the Dr. said: " Not so, you're lab

> results are all

> > negative " .

> > Needless, to say, greatly releived, I stopped

> persuing any info on

> > this disease.

> > In Dec. I developed a VERY bad " cold " , which 3

> wks. later finally

> > required antibiotic treatment to get me through

> Xmas.

> >

> > By Jan. 3/02 I had VERY SERVERE soreness of the

> throat, antibiotcs

> > again,,,,,,no sucess.......then wheezing, laboured

> breathing, etc. &

> > Dr. sent me from his office to hosp. emerg.,

> (afraid my airway might

> > close off with swelling). My throat was scoped

> etc.

> >

> > Long story short sent home on prednisone for one

> week, off it for 2

> > weeks to the day & right back to Dr. presenting

> with same symptoms.

> > My family Dr. now thinks I may truly have RP & is

> sending me to Eaar

> > Nose Throat specialist (Feb.26/02), & is sending

> report from

> > specialist who " diagnosised POSSIBLE RP " last July

> for him to review

> > BEFORE he exams me the end of this month.

> >

> > I took my last Prednisone (50mg.) today (7 day

> course), & I still

> > definitely feel " a rough LUMP in my throat " , My

> sinus feel full-

> > nothing there to blow out, & my voice " comes &

> goes " .

> >

> > I am worried, frustrated, & eager to learn

> ANYTHING I can, from those

> > who may have " walked my walk " . I do believe in

> the " medical world " ,

> > doing as your Dr. asks (IE: taking meds etc.), but

> I also truly

> > believe in HOLISTIC HEALTH, in that we should do

> whatever we can to

> > better our " lifestyle "

> >

> > I am a grandmother, we live a quiet, " comfortable "

> life. Are there

> > changes I can make in my diet, exercise,(very

> limited I must admit!),

> > environmental etc?

> >

> > Any help you can give me would be most

> appreciated.

> > Thank you.

> > Sent on the wings of a Robyn!

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > DISCLAIMER!!

> > WE ARE NOT MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS, THEREFORE ANY

> INFORMATION THAT IS

> RECEIVED HERE IS FROM EXPERIENCE ONLY. PLEASE

> CONSULT WITH YOUR DOCTOR

> BEFORE TRYING ANYTHING THAT IS SUGGESTED. WE ARE NOT

> A SUBSTITUTE FOR YOUR

> PHYSICIAN AND ARE NOT TRYING TO BE. REMEMBER

> EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT AND

> TREATMENT MAYBE DIFFERENT FOR MANY OF US. THANK YOU

> >

> >