Posted 4/12/2014 4:27 AM (GMT 0)
Hello All--
I received my CBC and ANA results--also my urinalysis, but it had a small portion of squamous cells, so maybe it should've been redone.
Urinalysis was non-eventful--the only thing that registered was U SP GRV at 1.025--still within normal range.
SED and CRP normal
And I could not figure out my ANA Comprehensive Panel. There was no titer or pattern. I researched and researched and ended up asking my primary to call the lab to see if there was a mistake. Nope, the lab said they did a Multiplex Flow Immunoassay ANA test, which does not measure in titers. It's supposed to be pretty sophisticated, with a less lenient grading scale?
The only elevated antibodies were RNP, which seem to match with Mixed Connective Tissue Disease.
And the only item that was notated from my CBC was my LYMPHS%, which was/is slightly elevated.
I thought it was also interesting that my WBC was 3.8, with 3.6 and lower being too low.
(For those of you who don't know, my mother lost her life at 53 from lupus complications, years ago).
My primary has reached the extent of his knowledge about autoimmune diseases, and has referred me to a rheumatologist. In the meantime, my symptoms seem like they increase on a daily basis--something new every day--new joint aches (knees are the worst and one's a replacement), pain zingers, crusty eyes upon awakening, and on and on . . . and my mouth is getting drier and drier, and my brain fog is pretty amazing. My headaches are humdingers in the morning, and my neck and back ache, ache, ache, hurt, hurt, hurt. AND, I cut my bangs a bit "thicker" because they were getting thinner!
Getting out of bed is the last thing I want to do in the a.m., but seeing the look on my pooch's face always makes me smile, so I usually push myself and take the two of us (me and Ginger Snap, 2.5-year-old Boston) for a walk. It's hard to get started, but definitely worth it, and the trail is peaceful and beautiful.
My main concern is my toes. For over three months, several+ of them have been red/blue/purple--and ugly! Oh yeah, and painful! It doesn't matter if it's cold or hot, they stay the same. Some broken skin, patches of white (like callouses), obvious red spots, kinda circular. . . . Sure does affect my walking distance, which isn't what it used to be! And when I go to bed, my feet burn from the toes to halfway down my feet.
I believe I've been having symptoms for the last eight years, but all seems to be coming together now. Oh--I forgot the blushed cheeks and change in facial pigmentation from my jaws up. Did symptoms slowly develop for any of you, and then, boom, they all joined for an introduction dance under a full moon?
That's my long, yet condensed, update!
Jan