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HELP - Can anyone suggest what he might be looking for?

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Posted 7/2/2010 3:11 AM (GMT 0)

I saw my first Rheumy on Monday & am still trying to understand what is going on!

He says that I have the symptoms of Lupus but doesn't think that's what I have???

He read my blood reports and the covering letter from my GP & stated "hmmmm - the symptoms you have look like SLE but I don't think that's what you have". He then got me to stand up while he stood behind me - then I had to raise my right arm then the left, next was to tip my head forward & back, next was twist at the waist and lastly stand on one leg then the other. . . . . WHY???

Then up on the bed with shoes off : -

check to see foot reflex is ok - yes.

quick feel of tummy - slightly tender on right side under ribs

He took all his notes in shorthand so I had no chance of sneaking a glance at them. While making notes he muttered something about "AIH", I asked what he said & the reply was "nothing just talking to myself".

He then gave me forms for a chest x ray, a CT scan of my head & more blood tests - MBA, Alk Phos, Anti Smooth Muscle Antibody, plus a MCS urine test. I have done all of these but have to wait 5 weeks to see him again to be told the results - very annoying as the results only take a couple of days.  

Can anyone suggest what he might be looking for?  idea

Also what's with the aerobics at the beginning of the examination - does everyone else do this when they visit a rheumy?

He appears to be about 70. I thought either very experienced OR past his "use by date" as a doctor - not sure which!

Posted 7/2/2010 3:33 AM (GMT 0)
A wide range of autoimmune diseases. The whole "touch this, reach that" is checking your cordination. Things like lupus anticoagulant disorder (it is not lupus), Hashimoto's, MS, Fibromyalgia, wagner's, wegner's (yes two different ones), ankylosing spondylitis, addison's, berger's, behcet's, chronic fatigue immune dysfunction syndrome, cictricial pemphigoid, cogan's, cold agglutinin, chron's, inflammatory demylinating polyneuropathy, sarcoidosis, scieritis, scieroderms, sjogren's, so on. Only to name few, of oh thousands, but I ain't getting my medical books out and typing them all up LOL! You are just having a battery of tests to figure out what is wrong. And its good when you're appointment is so far out, that means they don't expect it to be dangerious. Its when you get the results the same day or the next day you should fret. So just hang tight hon.
Posted 7/2/2010 4:11 AM (GMT 0)
Sounds like an experienced guy who's simply gathering more data so he can make a well-informed decision about diagnosis. Unless you are having some severe symptoms that need to be addressed immediately, it seems reasonable to me. Not unlike what my first rheumy did and he was my best rheumy by far!
Posted 7/2/2010 4:54 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks guys
I'm sure everyone here can relate to the anxiety of waiting for results. I already have 5 autoimmune problems including Hashimoto's & some I can't pronounce let alone spell lol. (mainly to do with skin problems)
As I said - this was my first visit to a rheumy so I wasn't sure what to expect - he seemed quite pleasant but it would of helped if the man had actually spoken to me instead of just giving instructions & if he'd answered the few questions that I asked.
The only time that I've had to do the "exercise" thing is when I have seen an Orthopedic surgeon or a heart specialist - then it made sense, but I can understand what your saying.
Can anyone tell me what AIH is?
Once again thank you for any info.
PS this is the first forum I've ever been on & it's great. I can't find anything as helpful here in Australia.
Posted 7/2/2010 6:57 AM (GMT 0)
AIH- Autoimmune liver disease or Autoimmune hepatitis or autoimmune hemolytic anemia

Both Autoimmune liver disease and Autoimmune hepatitis derive from the liver.

And feel free to ask anything hon :)
Posted 7/2/2010 3:18 PM (GMT 0)
He was checking your joints & muscles
Posted 7/10/2010 7:16 PM (GMT 0)
What disease has smooth muscle antibodies???
Posted 7/11/2010 4:15 AM (GMT 0)
I saw my GP yesterday & he had asked the Rheumy for the results of all the tests. GREAT RELIEF - not AIH. Now when I see the Rheumy again I guess we start from scratch. My GP seems to think that the Rheumy will try to eliminate all other possibilities before I get a diagnosis.
I've come to the conclusion that I don't care what is wrong with me just as long as they work it out & start treating it - the name has become irrelevant - lol


Hi jeanneac

It's a blood test to check if you have Autoimmune Hepatitis. I'd never heard of it before either.
Posted 7/11/2010 8:54 PM (GMT 0)
Smooth muscle antibody diseases usually are systemic lupus, autoimmune hepatitis, mononucleosis, cirrhosis, hepatitis, and more
Posted 7/12/2010 1:31 AM (GMT 0)

Thanks for the clarification Smurfy. My GP just said that it was for autoimmune hepatitis. You're a mine of info, I think I'll just ask you in future because you give ALL the info, not just the selected bits the Dr wants me to know. Thanks again. yeah

Posted 7/12/2010 1:55 AM (GMT 0)
Your welcome. I believe in full communication with full information :) However, I do not know everything
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