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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 63
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OP
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Imagine my surprise when the phone rang tonight (at 9 p.m.) and it was my rheumy! He went over my test results and definitely thinks something is going on, he just doesn't know what it is.  Still, he wants me to start taking 5 mgs. of Pred once a day, then up it to 10 mgs. and see how I feel. I am to report back after 2 wks. The weird thing, or so I thought, is that he has no idea what to make of my WBC, Lymphocyte, and Alpha-1 counts being very low. Shouldn't he know this stuff?? Should I seek a second opinion in hopes of having a name for what I have or just keep rolling w/his instructions?
~Laura~
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Joined: Oct 2001
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Decorated_AS_Kicker
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Decorated_AS_Kicker
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Rheumatology is an art in most cases. At least he recognizes that something is going on. That's the big hurdle for some.
He didn't give you ANY ideas of what it might be?
Susie
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None. He says he doesn't know. Said that while I tested negative for RA and Lupus it still could be one of those or some other inflammatory type of arthritis. I tried to nail him down on a diagnosis several times but he had nothing for me. Just wants to try treating it w/prednisone.
~Laura~
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Fourth_Degree_AS_Kicker
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Fourth_Degree_AS_Kicker
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It may take awhile for him to diagnose you. My rheumy said at first it could take up to 5 years to get a definite diagnosis. I was so severe he got it in 6 months. So your doctor not knowing right away does not indicate he does not know his job.
Be careful of the Prednisone though. The side affects for some people can be quite extreme.
Tim
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Well that's good (and I guess kinda bad) to know that it's not unusual for it to take awhile to be diagnosed. I just sometimes worry when he says things like, "I don't know what to make of that (test result)." Shouldn't he know what would cause a low WBC, Lymphocyte, and Alpha-1 test? I just don't want anything to be missed.
~Laura~
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Fifth_Degree_AS_Kicker
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Fifth_Degree_AS_Kicker
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Since you are going to be taking it daily, did he prescribe something to help your stomach like Prilosec? If you aren't taking something to protect your stomach, I would ask before the prednisone starts upsetting things.
"Reality is the leading cause of stress--for those in touch with it." --Jane Wagner
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Joined: Feb 2007
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Quote:
Since you are going to be taking it daily, did he prescribe something to help your stomach like Prilosec? If you aren't taking something to protect your stomach, I would ask before the prednisone starts upsetting things.
He didn't, but I made sure to get some Pepcid MAX strength!  After my NSAID woes I figured I might have issues, so I asked the pharmacist and he recommended and acid reducer. I then asked a good friend of mine (also a pharmacist) which one to get and she said Pepcid should work well for me.
The bad thing was that I thought I couldn't take my Percocet w/the Prednisone and last night I was in tears because I hurt so much and hadn't taken anything. I called the pharmacy and they told me I could take it. Thankfully! I'm on day two of the steroids and not noticing anything yet except that I get very hungry and my throat has been a little sore.
~Laura~
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