HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

GERD,Hiatal Hernia, elevated and rising sed rate and positive ANA

Support Forums
>
GERD & Acid Reflux
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 12/14/2005 1:35 PM (GMT 0)
Hey All,

I am nerw to the forum and would like to see if anyone has any info on what I am going through.  In September I developed a rash and swelling on both of my ears and went to my internist who immediately thought polychondritis.  He then drew blood work and gave me a course of Keflex and a Medrol Dosepak.  This cleared up but when the blood work returned he said my ANA was 143 and sent me to a rheumatologist.  The rheumatologist proceeded to other testing, RA factor, DNA antibodies, SM/RNP Antibody, Complement component C3 and C4, SSA and SSB.  These were all  negative.  I do however have a rising sed rate. When I first saw him it was 25 then a week later 35 and just recently 52.  I have joint aches and pains, headaches, fatigue, GERD and hiatal hernia which I just saw my gastroenterologist about.  I have lost weight but this is in part due to the inability to eat a full meal and I have been exercising.  Needless to say I could use to lose another 40 pounds.  I am at a loss.  The gastroenterologist said positive ANA and elevating sed rate really do not mean much but I am wondering if the sed rate is up due to the problems with GERD and hiatal hernia? confused    I am just at a loss because the rheumaologist said to come back in six weeks and to let him know if I develop any swollen lymph nodes.  sad    He does not seem concerned about the rising sed rate.  Any thoughts???  I will be having a pH test done in January for possible Nissan fundoplication.  If I am not a cadidate for that than I will have to have surgery to repair the hiatal hernia.  Thanks for listening and I would appreciate any input or suggestions.

 

Posted 12/17/2005 2:09 PM (GMT 0)

Hi there

I just came across your post this morning... As for the rising sed rate.. I completely disagree with your doctor.. Please know I am NOT a doctor just someone who has been sick for 15 years.. an elevated sed rate means YOU HAVE AN INFECTION SOMEWHERE.. Elevated sed rates will not tell you WHAT or WHERE the infection is but that there IS one comming from somewhere and the fact you also have an elevated ANA level means there is something going on somewhere in your body..

  The doctor who doesn't seem to concered about it? If it were me I'd find another doctor..Seems to me he doesn't know whats wrong with you so therefor you're now being ignored.. Sed rates are basic medicine 101 any good doctor and or educated patient knows when there is an elevated sed rate that is continually rising there is a problem somewhere... Do yourself a favor.. Take your blood test results and find another doctor who will listen and try and figure out whats goin on...

Posted 12/17/2005 5:33 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you so much for your reply.  I thought elevated sed rate was the amount of inflammation.  I am in the process of getting to the bottom of the GERD and hiatal hernia and hope the gastroenterologist will be linking something.  As far as finding another doctor for the rising sed rate and positive ANA, I am doing that.  Watchful waiting is all that is being done at this time and quite frankly with the family history of esophageal cancer and lymphomas in my family I am a littel frightened but I will not let a doctor just keep changing medicine like they did with my dad who died at the age of 59 of esophageal cancer.  If he would have pressed his doctor more they may have found it sooner and he might still be alive today.  My gastroenterologist said the esophagus is connective tissue and this may be the problem.  I guess we will see after the pH study in January and if I am a candidate for Nissen fundoplication.  Undifferentied Connective Tissue Disease is also a possibility.  I am hoping for the best and doing what I can on my end to keep me healthy.  Thanks again for your reply and if you have another other comments I would surely welcome them.  Bunee
Posted 12/18/2005 4:10 AM (GMT 0)

Hi bunee

Im really sorry to see about your dad.. I lost my Mom to pancreatic cancer in 1999 and like your dad they told her it was everything under the sun until someone finally dug deep enough to find it and when they did it was too late.. She was 55..

  An elevated sed rate is the sign of an infection. ANA level is what meausures the amount of inflammation in the body. Usually with an elevated ANA and Sed rate they will look for things like Lupus, Scleroderma, Ms etc etc.. I have an elevated ANA level because I have been sick with chronic lyme disease for 15 yrs...

  Im glad you're not letting this go.. Too many doctors have just become business men and women and really dont care too much about the welfare of their patients anymore..

  As for the watchful waiting theory in think it stinks.. there is obviously a problem somewhere and you have the blood work to back it up.. The key is finding a doctor who is willing to dig deep and long enough to detect what it is...

  Please keep in touch and let me know how you're doing...

Robyn

 

 

 

 

bunee said...
Thank you so much for your reply.  I thought elevated sed rate was the amount of inflammation.  I am in the process of getting to the bottom of the GERD and hiatal hernia and hope the gastroenterologist will be linking something.  As far as finding another doctor for the rising sed rate and positive ANA, I am doing that.  Watchful waiting is all that is being done at this time and quite frankly with the family history of esophageal cancer and lymphomas in my family I am a littel frightened but I will not let a doctor just keep changing medicine like they did with my dad who died at the age of 59 of esophageal cancer.  If he would have pressed his doctor more they may have found it sooner and he might still be alive today.  My gastroenterologist said the esophagus is connective tissue and this may be the problem.  I guess we will see after the pH study in January and if I am a candidate for Nissen fundoplication.  Undifferentied Connective Tissue Disease is also a possibility.  I am hoping for the best and doing what I can on my end to keep me healthy.  Thanks again for your reply and if you have another other comments I would surely welcome them.  Bunee

Posted 12/18/2005 1:37 PM (GMT 0)
Robyn,

Thanks again!!!   will keep you informed.  Stay well!!!  Bunee

Posted 1/4/2008 6:16 AM (GMT 0)

Hi

I am also new. I got a call today from a Rheumatologist wanting to make an appointment. I asked why and they said because my DOC requested this due to test results that were: elevated SED rate and positive ANA. I have never heard of either so I immediately came to the computer. I have had back pain for about 2 years and now have real bad hip pain and loss of feeling in some toes. A neurologist gave me an EGR test (painful) which showed no nerve damage. They were looking for peripheal neuropathy. If anyone has ideas let me know. I am going to Rheumatologist on Monday and would like to be informed before I go in order to ask questions. I have a great primary MD and she will help me research whatever I need to.

Thank  you... Syndi

Posted 1/6/2008 1:08 AM (GMT 0)
I am thinking you might want to try one of our other forums for information, such as chronic pain, or fibro, or something other than this. This is the GERD forum. I am happy you found healingwell, and there is a forum here that can help you. Syndi, I wish you all the best.
Posted 1/6/2008 1:02 PM (GMT 0)
I also have GERD. Does this have anything to do with the elevated SED and positive ANA?
Posted 1/9/2008 3:21 PM (GMT 0)
I am sorry. I didn't realize that you had GERD as well. I do apologize, as I don't know the answer to your question. I would suggest starting a new post of your own, giving it a new, descript ive title, and then you are likely to get more replies from people who can better to relate to you. Please, stick with us, and again, I am sorry for the confusion. Wishing you the best!
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply