I got my lab results in the mail today. I don't go see Rheumy until Friday, but he had me take the labs a week before since some of the tests he ordered would take longer than the normal CBC. One of the tests he ordered was the Anti-dsDNA test, which is a specific test for lupus. If these antibodies are present, it is a strong indication of lupus. When I was first diagnosed, Dr. C ordered the test and the result came back as ">300". A result of <=4 is considered negative, 5-9 indeterminate, and >=10 is positive. Needless to say, >300 was a huge indicator. The lab results I just got today show my Anti-dsDNA level at 29, which is way lower than it was back last January. I'll have to ask Rheumy about what that means...perhaps it is lower because I'm not flaring?
I don't want to jinx it, but my other lab results look good too! My White Blood Cell Count is 3.9, which is considered in the normal range (3.8-10.8). My Red Blood Cell Count is still a little low at 3.3, but my Hemoglobin is 12.1! That is the highest it has been since my diagnosis, and it is considered in the normal range (12.0-16.0). I have been feeling a lot better, so I'm glad my lab results are reflective of that. My sedimentation rate is still a little high, indicating some inflammation, and there are trace amounts of blood in my urine, so that is something we'll need to continue to monitor.
I have a sore in my mouth under my tongue which has been bothering me for the past few days. It is a symptom of lupus, so I'll let Rheumy know about it on Friday. Other than that, I have been doing well. I hope Rheumy agrees!
- a little lupie -
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Monday, June 11, 2012
A Belated Happy World Lupus Day
I really have been neglecting my lupus updates! Not only that, I have been neglecting checking in on some of the other lupies that I follow through their blogs. I just read a post from Cori and realized that I missed World Lupus Day on May 10.
Check out her post here: http://corislupusupdates.blogspot.com/2012/05/what-world-lupus-day-lupus-awareness.html
I relate to a lot of what Cori says in this post. I disclose and vent a lot about my lupus situation on this blog, but I don't go advertising it or my situation on Facebook or in daily interactions. My family and close friends know about my condition and will occasionally ask how I am doing, but I never know if they want to know more than just "fine" or "good". This blog gives me the opportunity to just let everything out and people can choose to read it or not. For those of you who do read, please know that I appreciate that you are interested in learning more about lupus. This has definitely been a learning experience for me -- not only in learning about the disease itself, but also in how to cope and to be more empathetic to others who are dealing with what life has dealt them. If you ever have questions or want to know more, feel free to ask (or leave a comment)...I'm happy to discuss!
- a little lupie -
Check out her post here: http://corislupusupdates.blogspot.com/2012/05/what-world-lupus-day-lupus-awareness.html
I relate to a lot of what Cori says in this post. I disclose and vent a lot about my lupus situation on this blog, but I don't go advertising it or my situation on Facebook or in daily interactions. My family and close friends know about my condition and will occasionally ask how I am doing, but I never know if they want to know more than just "fine" or "good". This blog gives me the opportunity to just let everything out and people can choose to read it or not. For those of you who do read, please know that I appreciate that you are interested in learning more about lupus. This has definitely been a learning experience for me -- not only in learning about the disease itself, but also in how to cope and to be more empathetic to others who are dealing with what life has dealt them. If you ever have questions or want to know more, feel free to ask (or leave a comment)...I'm happy to discuss!
- a little lupie -
Sunday, June 10, 2012
No News is Good News!
I know it's been a long time since I've updated, and it is because I have been busy living life! My hemoglobin levels over the past month have been just above 11. That means that I don't qualify for the Procrit shot because according to the insurance companies, I'm "too healthy." I'm still not in the normal range (which for women would be 12-15), but I do feel a whole lot better than when I was in the 9-10 range. I have energy to get through a full day of work and go out for dinner or run errands afterwards. I no longer go to bed at 8. I'm able to do things on the weekend other than recuperate from the work week. I'm finally beginning to feel "normal"! I just need to be careful to not over-extend myself.
I have also stopped taking the azathioprine in hopes of having the option of getting pregnant in the next few years. In order to aid with me getting off the medication, we've increased my Prednisone dose to 5 mg, which is still considered a low dosage. This may be why my hemoglobin levels, red blood cell, and white blood cell counts have all improved -- they are all at the highest levels since my lupus diagnosis. Hopefully they will remain where they are as I ween off the Prednisone. Technically, I could continue taking Prednisone while pregnant, but of course, the less medication the better.
Rheumy is running a few additional lab tests on me this week to check for antibodies that may affect me and/or baby if I get pregnant. I see him next week for the results, and I hope I have more good news to share!
- a little lupie
P.S. For those who read my last couple of posts and thought I was pregnant, sorry! I forgot about the backwards chronological aspect of blog posts and now realize that I should have put my "not pregnant!" disclaimer on all the pregnancy series posts! I'm not done with the series yet, but I have been slacking because the next post in the series ( how lupus affects pregnancy) is the most complex aspect and will require more research. It will be coming, though!
P.P.S. Sorry for any typos or inadvertent auto-corrects! I am trying to become more mobile-saavy and typed this whole thing out on my phone! Okay, maybe it has less to do with becoming mobile-savvy and more to do with me being too lazy to go get my computer :)
I have also stopped taking the azathioprine in hopes of having the option of getting pregnant in the next few years. In order to aid with me getting off the medication, we've increased my Prednisone dose to 5 mg, which is still considered a low dosage. This may be why my hemoglobin levels, red blood cell, and white blood cell counts have all improved -- they are all at the highest levels since my lupus diagnosis. Hopefully they will remain where they are as I ween off the Prednisone. Technically, I could continue taking Prednisone while pregnant, but of course, the less medication the better.
Rheumy is running a few additional lab tests on me this week to check for antibodies that may affect me and/or baby if I get pregnant. I see him next week for the results, and I hope I have more good news to share!
- a little lupie
P.S. For those who read my last couple of posts and thought I was pregnant, sorry! I forgot about the backwards chronological aspect of blog posts and now realize that I should have put my "not pregnant!" disclaimer on all the pregnancy series posts! I'm not done with the series yet, but I have been slacking because the next post in the series ( how lupus affects pregnancy) is the most complex aspect and will require more research. It will be coming, though!
P.P.S. Sorry for any typos or inadvertent auto-corrects! I am trying to become more mobile-saavy and typed this whole thing out on my phone! Okay, maybe it has less to do with becoming mobile-savvy and more to do with me being too lazy to go get my computer :)
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