Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...
so this afternoon i have a physical scheduled with my GP. i have been going to doctors at this practice since birth with the exception of 5 years while i lived in florida - they have ALL of my medical records.
i called my rheumy's office to get copies of the bloodwork i've had done so far. (the vectra is not included, but i know the score). the most recent test only lists glucose and all the hepatitises (in range, all negative for immunity). the first one has a lot more info, some of which i'm not familiar with yet. it notes my vitamin d deficiency (16.5, normal is listed at 30-100). my c-reactive protien is listed at 0.9 (normal is less than 0.5) and my ESR Westergren is high at 33 (normal 0-30).
from what i can find online, both c-reactive protein and ESR (whatever the bleep that is) are indicators of inflammation, which explains my dx. my rheumatoid factor is listed as 7 (
i called my rheumy's office to get copies of the bloodwork i've had done so far. (the vectra is not included, but i know the score). the most recent test only lists glucose and all the hepatitises (in range, all negative for immunity). the first one has a lot more info, some of which i'm not familiar with yet. it notes my vitamin d deficiency (16.5, normal is listed at 30-100). my c-reactive protien is listed at 0.9 (normal is less than 0.5) and my ESR Westergren is high at 33 (normal 0-30).
from what i can find online, both c-reactive protein and ESR (whatever the bleep that is) are indicators of inflammation, which explains my dx. my rheumatoid factor is listed as 7 (
Are you taking Vit D?
anyway. i also was wondering about flu and hepatitis vaccines. i have never gotten either vaccine - even when i was piercing and was advised to get the hep vaccine - and my GP has never really recommended either for me. with my newly (slightly) suppressed immune system (15mg mtx weekly) i'm wondering if i should specifically ask about either of these vaccines.
without being vaccinated against the flu, the only time i've had it was during the H1N1 (swine flu) outbreak. i lived in florida and dh and i went to disney multiple times a week - i blame the tourists ;) i am in no way against vaccination, but i am against OVER vaccination and never saw a need for either of these.
any tips, advice, opinions appreciated.
he was VERY defensive when he first came in - 'who told you you have RA?'. which i thought was cute. i've known this doctor since he first came to the practice and we have an excellent relationship. the last he heard, my wrist hurt and i went to an orthopedist; that was in july. so i gave him my bloodwork and we went over everything my rheumy had done and told me. he was very satisfied and glad that i had done my homework. he is comfortable with the diagnosis and wants me to make sure all notes and labs are forwarded to him. (not a problem since i'm starting my own collection a la RASally. probably nowhere near as organized though.)
he wants me on more vitamin d and put me on Rx weekly vitamin d pills. i'll pick them up later today. i'll go get my blood drawn again for him in about three or four weeks so he can check where my vitamin d is (as well as my cholesterol). he also really really really wanted me to get a flu shot. i've never had one before and didn't really want to get one - but i trust him and his judgement. he said with being on the mtx and the possibility of being on another medication within the next couple of months, he wanted me to get it. so he loaded up a syringe and i got my flu shot like a good girl.
i had a nice visit with him, which is partially why he's always running behind lol. as annoying as it is waiting an hour past my appointment time, it's worth it to have a doctor i trust and that's willing to work with me.