HLA- B27

[Guest guest]

Some people have questioned the accuracy of my comment about this blood test. I

assure you that I do not post misinformation on this site. Like most of you, I

too want to find out as much as I can about this misunderstood disease. I read

as much as I can about the disease and the various treatments. Some of my info

comes directly from books, some from literature my rheumy supplies and some from

the Internet. My information about HLA-B27 came from the following resource:

Professional Guide to Diseases, 4th edition, Springhouse Corporation. On page

344 it states, " 20 - 50% of patients with psoriatic arthritis have positive

HLA-B27. " I am one of those. My doctor was the one who decided to do the test.

Once he told me that the test came back very positive, I then did my research.

Although, I wish I did not have the disease, it was reassuring to me to have

some " concrete " proof. My condition was part of the reason why my marriage

failed. My ex thought that his medical problems were so severe that he couldn't

work - didn't even try. When I would verbalize how tired I was and much I hurt

he would tell if I lost weight all my problems would go away. I'm not saying

that this IS a reason to have the test but mentally I could prepare myself to

deal with the disease once I knew who the " enemy " was.

Charlene

[Guest guest]

Charlene,

Not to beat a dead horse here but your fact only covers 20 - 50% so

what about the other 50-80% that don't have that positive factor and

do have PA? I know the enemy, even without a name. Hurting is enough

for me:-( That fact would be like using a sed rate as a fact. With

medication and I go in to the doctor feeling so-so compared to

miserable will he tell me I have no PA because my sed rate is within

normal range? It can be frustrating because each one of us is

different and display different symptoms and what helps us doesn't

help everyone of us in the same way. That blood test can be positive

for someone without PA. The test on it's own is not enough to

diagnose PA. How we deal with the stress is good since it means we

are dealing with the problem. Take Care, PatB

My information about HLA-B27 came from the following resource:

Professional Guide to Diseases, 4th edition, Springhouse Corporation.

On page 344 it states, " 20 - 50% of patients with psoriatic arthritis

have positive HLA-B27. " I am one of those. My doctor was the one who

decided to do the test. Once he told me that the test came back very

positive, I then did my research. Although, I wish I did not have the

disease, it was reassuring to me to have some " concrete " proof.

I'm not saying that this IS a reason to have the test but mentally I

could prepare myself to deal with the disease once I knew who

the " enemy " was.

>

> Charlene