I hope the two of you are doing ok physically, it always worries me when you disappear for long lengths of time (not that I have been coming here that long) I hope you are well.

I have new info...after I finally got the rhematologist to do the additional tests my titer came back positive as well...she said it was low to moderate and may indicate that I am at the beginning stages of an auto immune disorder. She is now going to run a more specific test of the titer one (who knows) and a muscle enzyme test as well. I will keep you updated. Please let me know you are ok

Jeannie

Jeannie,
I did reply, but couldn't get reconnected, so I copied it and restarted my computer (sometimes that helps) but 'dah', I lost the copy when I did that. I'll try to re-write tomorrow, Ann

I have had that happen to me before too. I look forward to hearing from you and I am glad you are ok. Have you heard anything from Jeri??

Jeannie

Jeannie,
Sorry it took so long to get back to you. I've been around, but mostly just lurking.......... thanks for 'holding the fort down'. I've had some mojor problems at work and it's kind of drained me of a lot of things.
I'm glad you found someone who you think is at least listening to you. I do want to warn you though, not to get you thinking negative thoughts, just to prepare you in case. When my internal med. Dr. ran tests, I had a positive ANA. Then, he wanted to run ANA specific tests (about 4 or 5). All the specicfic tests came back negative. He then referred me to a rheumatologist. After seeing all my old test results, listening to my symptoms & history, and doing a physical exam, he said it was his opinion that I had Rheumatoid Arthritis with a mix of Lupus. (on top of the old IBS and newer Raynauds dx) He said he wanted to run further tests, but he seemed sure enough to prescribe a bunch of meds. All the further tests came back o.k., except for one borderline. I asked him what he thought now with the new info, but he said he still believed his first dx was right and that he felt the results of the last tests meant the chances of getting the more serious forms of the diseases were lessened. He explained that you can't just rely on the tests for a dx!!!!! Anyway, the way your dr. has been leaning, there's a good chance that the same results could be interpreted differently. As for that muscle enzyme test, I've never heard of it. But then, there's a lot of things I don't know about all this stuff. When do you find out the results of the new tests and see your Dr. again?
I'm really concerned about Jeri too and I miss her. Please stay in touch and don't disappear!
Take care, Ann

ANN I REPLIED EARLY BUT I MUST HAVE DONE SOMETHING WRONG. I AM WAITING FOR TEST RESULTS WHICH SHOULD BE BACK THIS WEEK. THEN WE WILL GO FROM THERE. OW HAVE YOU BEEN FEELING?

I HOPE JERI IS OK! HOPEFULLY WE WILL HEAR FROM HER SOON!

JEANNIE

Jeannie,
Sorry to have disappeared again, but I was down to the Mayo Clinic for a few days. They pretty much confirmed what my Rheumy said and added a few things. They said I also have osteoarthritis (sp?) along with the Rheumatoid A and besides the Raynauds in my hands, I have vascular occlusions in both palms (blocking or narrowing of the vessels). I need to go down for more tests on my hands cause they think the inflamation from the other things might be pressing on the carpal tunnel and doing nerve damage. They changed my pain meds, but said it was too soon to see how the plaquenil is working (they believe it can take up to 6 months for that). He also wants my local Rheumy to draw fluids off my knees when they are swollen. Besides relieving some of the pain, they want to do some tests on the fluids. I guess they can tell some stuff from this. Who remembers what?!!? Aside from all that, they found some blood in my urine and want me to follow up on that locally. (I haven't had an infections lately that I know of.) He felt it was unrelated to my other dxs. though.
Just a note on tests.... one of my more specific ones was positive now, less than 2 months from the neg. result. The Mayo Dr. said that's why they call them 'evolving' connective tissue disorders. As you recall, prior to this, the only test that I had that was positive was the ANA titer. So goes the battle................
Anyway, I'm anxious to hear about your test results? Hopefully you've heard by now. Aside from dealing with the Drs., how are things going for you?
I tried tracking Jeri down too. I remember that she said she belonged to another board called 'rocking babies'. I found the site, but they wanted too much personal information to join and post. I then tried e-mailing the group address, but all I got was an automatic e-mail response about joining the group. I really miss her too.
Waiting to hear from you, Ann

Jeannie,
Just a quick word to let you know that I finally tracked down Jeri. She's somewhat o.k.......she was on a short trip and is also having a lot of trouble with her bursitis. Hopefully, she'll be back to the board soon.
Take care, Ann

HELLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
I'm back- y'all can't get rid of me. I'm so glad, Jeannie that you have a doctor who is willing to keep "digging". The Pos ANA gives you hope, doesn't it? It's weird, but we need a "tag" or label on what we are experiencing. We get hit with so many comments and dx's that invalidate what we are telling the professionals about what we are experiencing and what we KNOW about our body. He's on the right track. Hooray!
Thanks to Ann I've 'straightened up" and got back online with all my healthboard buddies. I was being selfish and layin low for a while. I know that it's allowed, but I never dreamed anyone would worry about me. Was kinda nice...
It'll take me a while to catch up with old posts, so I won't be posting until I get 'em read, I don't think. I'll be with you in a couple of days (or maybe sooner!)
Jeri