bloodwork/labs?

[Guest guest]

good morning everyone--i was told from when i first started this

group that there was no " one " type of labs that could diagnose you

with stills but that things had to be ruled out--i think i am

stating that correctly--what i would like to know is if any of you

have at least one type of labs that always comes out abnormal for

instance the white blood cell count for example

my reason for asking this is because i thought i had finally found

the right rheumy--after 7 years i was finally given a firm diagnosis

of stills disease and then after several visits he tells me that all

my labs are normal and that there was no way i had stills--it was as

though a completely different doctor walked in the room--i was in a

sense so relieved because we now had a diagnosis and i could get on

the right meds for it--this was the first time in 7 years that all

my labs came out normal--so because for the first time i have normal

labs he tells me you dont have stills and its back to starting all

over again--so again what i am basically asking is if any of you

have at least one lab that is always out of range?

becky

houma, louisiana

[Guest guest]

Becky,

I hate to say it, but no - my labs vary each time. The only thing

that was ever out of whack for me the first 6 years of undiagnosis

was the SED rate being high and that alone without some other lab

out of whack says nothing, other than there's inflammation somewhere

and I'm probably in pain (boy was I).

Now those docs didn't check as much as an RD does, but even when I

got to an RD, nothing but SED was out of whack. Nowadays it could be

anything from SED, CPK, liver, ferritin, etc. Depends really.

I personally feel that Stills is a diagnosis largely based on

symptoms at this point. As they learn more about the disease and

develop more sensitive laboratory tests, that may not always be the

case, but for now, I think the docs have to rely a lot on what we

say.

I'm so sorry for what you are dealing with. Even as difficult as it

may be to not have a rheumy near you, I think you should consider

going to Houston (you can see my RD) or Dallas or somewhere that

somoeone can refer you to a known RD. That RD can work with your

doc at home to treat you in between visits. Just some food for

thought.

Houston, Texas

[Guest guest]

Becky,

I hate to say it, but no - my labs vary each time. The only thing

that was ever out of whack for me the first 6 years of undiagnosis

was the SED rate being high and that alone without some other lab

out of whack says nothing, other than there's inflammation somewhere

and I'm probably in pain (boy was I).

Now those docs didn't check as much as an RD does, but even when I

got to an RD, nothing but SED was out of whack. Nowadays it could be

anything from SED, CPK, liver, ferritin, etc. Depends really.

I personally feel that Stills is a diagnosis largely based on

symptoms at this point. As they learn more about the disease and

develop more sensitive laboratory tests, that may not always be the

case, but for now, I think the docs have to rely a lot on what we

say.

I'm so sorry for what you are dealing with. Even as difficult as it

may be to not have a rheumy near you, I think you should consider

going to Houston (you can see my RD) or Dallas or somewhere that

somoeone can refer you to a known RD. That RD can work with your

doc at home to treat you in between visits. Just some food for

thought.

Houston, Texas

[Guest guest]

> The only things that are ever abnormal on my labs are CRP and platelets.

I am agree with Larry-if you're not flared labs are useless for

diagnosis. Don't ever hesitate to fire your doc (especially if you can

get a good recommendation about another)! Best of luck-Ann

[Guest guest]

> The only things that are ever abnormal on my labs are CRP and platelets.

I am agree with Larry-if you're not flared labs are useless for

diagnosis. Don't ever hesitate to fire your doc (especially if you can

get a good recommendation about another)! Best of luck-Ann

[Guest guest]

My blood tests have been coming back fine. My Ced Rate was elevated once but

the next times it was okay. What is your, , usually elevated to? Do you

know off-hand? faith

a_cone wrote: Even in a flare bloodwork can give you

normal results - mine did and

do. In the 8 years that I've been sick, I've always had active

disease and mostly my labs come back fine.

Houston, Texas

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[Guest guest]

Don't you hate the good doc/bad doc routine when it's all the same doc!!!!

I had the same thing happen (I think he really just didn't know what to do

for treatment after Enbrel and Humira) so I got a new rheumy! I know most

of the time my white count is up but that can just be from the prednisone

. Otherwise, often all mylabs are normal (well at least something's

normal in my life!!!). Seriously, I know how frustrating that can be-I

even got that from the (in)famous Mayo clinic-maybe someone here can help

with a recommendation of a different rheumy in your area. Best of luck

and know that we are here for you!!! Ann

[Guest guest]

My blood work used to show only a high sed rate. I do not think they tested

ferritin in 1972/ 1981/1990....

I never had a high white count...but I did have all the other classic

signs....ooooo I wonder??

Liz NJ

************************************** Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL at

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[Guest guest]

My blood work used to show only a high sed rate. I do not think they tested

ferritin in 1972/ 1981/1990....

I never had a high white count...but I did have all the other classic

signs....ooooo I wonder??

Liz NJ

************************************** Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL at

http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour

[Guest guest]

I feel like I'm coming in the middle of a conversation. My sed rate

is usually high but so are my proteins believe it or not. My ferritan

is normal most of the time but that's not a surprise to me. Between

the dragon and the meds, true readings, I'm assuming, are difficult to

come by.

Take care and be well.

Ellen