ryanbabs
10-01-2005, 01:35 AM
Well, I'm getting all my stuff for the Infectious Disease doc I am seeing next week for my positive Lyme's test...I got a copy of all my work done from my neuro whom I saw last year.
The only abnormalties I see are:
1. "ANA screen was slightly positive" (was never told of this, except all labwork normal)
2. X-RAY: Mild spondylosis at C3 to C5 levels (I was told I had mild arthritis in my neck)
3. MRI: 2 small spurs are noted at C3-C4 and C4-C5 with no narrowing. No canal stenosis. Very minimal, if any, cerebellar tonsillar ectopia, yet no evidence of Chiari malformation. No cord lesion identified.
I have BFS symptoms also, but I am wondering about the positve ANA...was told my symptoms are not explained by anything on MRI...any help?
The only abnormalties I see are:
1. "ANA screen was slightly positive" (was never told of this, except all labwork normal)
2. X-RAY: Mild spondylosis at C3 to C5 levels (I was told I had mild arthritis in my neck)
3. MRI: 2 small spurs are noted at C3-C4 and C4-C5 with no narrowing. No canal stenosis. Very minimal, if any, cerebellar tonsillar ectopia, yet no evidence of Chiari malformation. No cord lesion identified.
I have BFS symptoms also, but I am wondering about the positve ANA...was told my symptoms are not explained by anything on MRI...any help?
Sponsor
Murphy
10-24-2005, 09:13 PM
I'm not sure why U R going to a infectious-dis. doc because I don't know
your other problems but the ANA (anti-nuclear antibody test) is on the labs
from your bloodwk. Ask Dr. for a copy or read the blood test results if U have them. I have bulges & arthritis at c3-c7 + a spur. They always write the term
`spondylosis'. It means something like what we have or a curved cervical
problem. Try to keep neck straight & even sleep flat w/o pillow. It helps
keep inflammation & nerve swelling down. I use hm-traction for flair-ups &
use stacked ph-bks to raise up computer so neck doesn't arch. Your skull
base has a `nerve-bundle' & if this swells it can cut off spinal flow + nerve
conduction to the brain. A lyme test can be ordered by any MD. Why R U
being sent elsewhere? An ANA can show positive or neg. day to day. See if
it reads (Titer). This is the pattern ANA has that can help determine things.
your other problems but the ANA (anti-nuclear antibody test) is on the labs
from your bloodwk. Ask Dr. for a copy or read the blood test results if U have them. I have bulges & arthritis at c3-c7 + a spur. They always write the term
`spondylosis'. It means something like what we have or a curved cervical
problem. Try to keep neck straight & even sleep flat w/o pillow. It helps
keep inflammation & nerve swelling down. I use hm-traction for flair-ups &
use stacked ph-bks to raise up computer so neck doesn't arch. Your skull
base has a `nerve-bundle' & if this swells it can cut off spinal flow + nerve
conduction to the brain. A lyme test can be ordered by any MD. Why R U
being sent elsewhere? An ANA can show positive or neg. day to day. See if
it reads (Titer). This is the pattern ANA has that can help determine things.
ryanbabs
10-24-2005, 09:53 PM
The ANA was positive again with a titer of 1:80 and "speckled". She says it is only "mildly" positive, whatever that means.
Murphy
10-25-2005, 01:43 AM
Ryan: Don't know what BFS is but what type Dr. do U have? Reg. MD or a
special field? Why were U sent for MRI? To rule out a symptom? Anyway,
ANA 1:80 isn't bad but alerts of possible internal condition or illness. The
Titer (speckled) shows up sometimes in Lupus or other autoimmune problems.
Normal is 1:16 or reported as negative because its so low. Lyme test is often
run if an autoimmune is suspect. It's used for other things besides Lyme.
Any rashes, aches, neuro problems? Any mention of a possible vascular
condition? Dr. may have run a CRP or SED-rate for inflammation that is still
trying to narrow things. ANA also shows up in some infections too.
special field? Why were U sent for MRI? To rule out a symptom? Anyway,
ANA 1:80 isn't bad but alerts of possible internal condition or illness. The
Titer (speckled) shows up sometimes in Lupus or other autoimmune problems.
Normal is 1:16 or reported as negative because its so low. Lyme test is often
run if an autoimmune is suspect. It's used for other things besides Lyme.
Any rashes, aches, neuro problems? Any mention of a possible vascular
condition? Dr. may have run a CRP or SED-rate for inflammation that is still
trying to narrow things. ANA also shows up in some infections too.
ryanbabs
10-25-2005, 04:55 PM
Is CRP C-Reactive Protein? If so, it was normal. What is SED rate? I have mostly neuro problems...twitches, tremor, occasional vertigo, tinnitis (have had hearing loss in one ear that lasted a few hours), sleep paralysis, muscle pain, mild joint pain, etc...she sent me for MRI due to neuro problems, and her concern about the sleep paralysis, as she thinks it could be a seizure. I've had 2 negative Lyme tests (Quest and Laboratory Corp. of America) and a positive Western Blot through Igenex (confused)? She discredits the Igenex test, but is still doing tests.
BFS= Benign Fasciculation Syndrome
What other autoimmune/infections can signal a positve ANA? I mainly find Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus (my mom has RA...my R factor is only 5). Sjorgen's is another...what about MS?
BFS= Benign Fasciculation Syndrome
What other autoimmune/infections can signal a positve ANA? I mainly find Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus (my mom has RA...my R factor is only 5). Sjorgen's is another...what about MS?
Murphy
10-26-2005, 10:46 PM
Ryan: I just read up on BFS & U certainly R going thru alot. I think many
illnesses undiagnosed can't compare to your. Yes, CRP is C-protein. Sed=
sedimentation rate of blood & I'm sure Dr. must have run it by now. No, it's
not the same as Western Blot that meas./detects certain proteins. I have
had essential tremors & Xanax helped alot. Keep track (buy) BP monitor. The
spine can cause some of your conditions. If BP fluctuates easy (yours most
likely does, maybe a BP med to stabilize blood flow could help? It sounds like
the Dr. thinks U have autoimmune disease of ? Needs to narrow things dwn to help U. R U w/ a Neuro, reg. MD or Internal MD? It's possible that a clinic
that deals in movement disorders could help. An EMG ( needle electrode test)
would atleast confirm BFS if U haven't had that yet. A Rheumatologist deals
alot w/ mystery illness but don't think anyone that has tremors. Life must
be pretty miserable if U R like the BFS symtoms I read abt. ANA is always in
RA, Lyme, & mystery autoimmunes. I'd keep a ck. on my BP #'s. Sometimes
a BP med + a diuretic (if BP is elevated) can settle spine spasms that R
sending many of these signals to the brain. Has any med helped?
illnesses undiagnosed can't compare to your. Yes, CRP is C-protein. Sed=
sedimentation rate of blood & I'm sure Dr. must have run it by now. No, it's
not the same as Western Blot that meas./detects certain proteins. I have
had essential tremors & Xanax helped alot. Keep track (buy) BP monitor. The
spine can cause some of your conditions. If BP fluctuates easy (yours most
likely does, maybe a BP med to stabilize blood flow could help? It sounds like
the Dr. thinks U have autoimmune disease of ? Needs to narrow things dwn to help U. R U w/ a Neuro, reg. MD or Internal MD? It's possible that a clinic
that deals in movement disorders could help. An EMG ( needle electrode test)
would atleast confirm BFS if U haven't had that yet. A Rheumatologist deals
alot w/ mystery illness but don't think anyone that has tremors. Life must
be pretty miserable if U R like the BFS symtoms I read abt. ANA is always in
RA, Lyme, & mystery autoimmunes. I'd keep a ck. on my BP #'s. Sometimes
a BP med + a diuretic (if BP is elevated) can settle spine spasms that R
sending many of these signals to the brain. Has any med helped?
ryanbabs
10-27-2005, 02:18 PM
I have had an EMG, EEG, 2 MRI's (brain and spinal), numerous tests, etc...only ANA was positive, Lyme Western blot positive, 2 negative EIA Lymes, EOS is high (don't know what that means), etc.
I have seen 2 neuros, I am seeing an Infectious Disease doc right now. Even saw a psychiatrist as recommended by both neuros. I too was told by neuro I have Essential Tremor and I also take Xanax...nothing I have taken makes my symptoms completely go away...some days better than others...Xanax calms my symptoms somewhat though.
My ID doc is doing (and has done) many tests, and I am doing a sleep study this weekend.
Curious what you were talking about on the Blood Pressure...mine was high (only when my doc would check it or when I first checked it myself) then would go down to normal (120/80 or so) staring 4 years ago, and after all this other stuff, I don't worry and it is never high. It would sometimes go up to 160/100 or something and then come down. My doc checked it a couple of days ago and it was 112/80 (I never remember it being that low).
Could you elaborate more on this please?
I have seen 2 neuros, I am seeing an Infectious Disease doc right now. Even saw a psychiatrist as recommended by both neuros. I too was told by neuro I have Essential Tremor and I also take Xanax...nothing I have taken makes my symptoms completely go away...some days better than others...Xanax calms my symptoms somewhat though.
My ID doc is doing (and has done) many tests, and I am doing a sleep study this weekend.
Curious what you were talking about on the Blood Pressure...mine was high (only when my doc would check it or when I first checked it myself) then would go down to normal (120/80 or so) staring 4 years ago, and after all this other stuff, I don't worry and it is never high. It would sometimes go up to 160/100 or something and then come down. My doc checked it a couple of days ago and it was 112/80 (I never remember it being that low).
Could you elaborate more on this please?
Murphy
10-27-2005, 06:42 PM
Ryan: I had terrible E.T. off/on & Xanax helped @ 1mg 4xday. Had trouble
using a knife or fork. My BP would also go up/dwn. I researched Xanax & it
is used for anxiety/stress, but also works as a vascular `smooth muscle-
relaxant'. That action will lower BP up to 6 hrs. U need to TIME when U take
BP vs. Xanax. I finally got it dwn to a science. My real BP was 160/95. No
thought abt the med lowering #'s! Once BP kicked in & 4mo later, tremor
only happened 1x week? Diuretic was added to pull excess fluid from vessel
walls & spinal nerves settled dwn & tremor completely stopped. I now use
less Xanax. Dr. said I may have figured out how to help many others. Many
take Xanax JUST before going out the door to Dr. He is now advising hm-bp
cks. w/ a good monitor & good quality batteries w/ correct timing. He said
many pts. were now returning or calling w/ why the confusing #'s? He's
sorry that it was `right there' but most Dr's think of Xanax for anxiety. I'm now at 112 to 124/85 ea. ck. An incident came up & 4 days of stress must
have triggered tremor & spiked BP. 2 weeks w/ higher meds stopped tremor
like a miracle. Went back to reg. dosage. I read alot & it seems that all
forms of tremor also = elevated BP of 140+. This won't work on cases due to
all neuro problems, but as U know, we'll try anything. Good luck.
using a knife or fork. My BP would also go up/dwn. I researched Xanax & it
is used for anxiety/stress, but also works as a vascular `smooth muscle-
relaxant'. That action will lower BP up to 6 hrs. U need to TIME when U take
BP vs. Xanax. I finally got it dwn to a science. My real BP was 160/95. No
thought abt the med lowering #'s! Once BP kicked in & 4mo later, tremor
only happened 1x week? Diuretic was added to pull excess fluid from vessel
walls & spinal nerves settled dwn & tremor completely stopped. I now use
less Xanax. Dr. said I may have figured out how to help many others. Many
take Xanax JUST before going out the door to Dr. He is now advising hm-bp
cks. w/ a good monitor & good quality batteries w/ correct timing. He said
many pts. were now returning or calling w/ why the confusing #'s? He's
sorry that it was `right there' but most Dr's think of Xanax for anxiety. I'm now at 112 to 124/85 ea. ck. An incident came up & 4 days of stress must
have triggered tremor & spiked BP. 2 weeks w/ higher meds stopped tremor
like a miracle. Went back to reg. dosage. I read alot & it seems that all
forms of tremor also = elevated BP of 140+. This won't work on cases due to
all neuro problems, but as U know, we'll try anything. Good luck.