lab tests?

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone...

I know I never post on here, and for this, I am sorry! I havne't been online

too much these days and struggling mightily in the medical department (I've

been in the hospital four times since september...ugh).

Does anyone else have lab tests (blood work) that is abnormal? Obviously, my

levels of IgE are very highly elevated, but I also have a highly positive

ANA, a positive p-ANCA, and some other things indicative of vasculitis or

lupus. However, I have yet to pin down a diagnosis because of all the

steroids and other drugs I am on.

I'm only 25, and I've been struggling with chronic illness since I was one.

It's been difficult...and right now I jsut want to stay out of the hospital

and go back to school in January! I just developed CU in the past three

years.....but it's been a long haul.

Anyway, I was just curious if anuyone else has other immune-markers that are

off in blood work. Also, anyone else struggle with anemia?

Thanks so much......

Maddy

[Guest guest]

Hi Maddy!

I've been anemic also. The doctors were particularly concerned because I had melanoma last year (in addition to the CU that I've had for 7 years) and anemia could be a sign of cancer. I went through a colonoscopy and endoscoopy--nothing! We are fairly sure it is from my heavy periods--do you have that? I just had a procedure to correct the heavy bleeding--am waiting to see if it was successful. Getting back to the anemia--they put me on iron with vit.C to help absorb. Are you taking iron?

Hope this helps.

Tami (NJ)

[Guest guest]

Hi Tami!

Thanks for your input with the anemia.....it's a little reassuring to know

someone else knows what I " m talking about!

I am 25, but my periods are at best, very irregular, probably due to the

long-term steroid therapy. I only get three or four a year (am working with

a repro. gyne on this) so, we know it's not blood loss from my period. I

have been taking iron and vitamin C orally, but it's just not doing the

trick. So...go figure!

Anyway, I hope that you are having a good week, and thanks again.

Maddy

[Guest guest]

Hi again Maddy,

I don't know if this will help you because it sounds like your body is losing blood somewhere (and I hope your doctors can figure it out), but, when they told me to take iron, I didn't take what the doctor prescribed. I went to the health food store and got an organic form of iron. They told me there that you must take a certain type of vit. C to help absorb the iron. So, just a thought, maybe you want to check with your health food store to make sure that you are taking the 'right' type of vit.C to help you absorb the iron. Also, it takes time to work; they wanted me to try it for 6 months. (And, last time they tested my blood, I was up.)

Good luck.

Tami (NJ)

[Guest guest]

Hi again Maddy,

I don't know if this will help you because it sounds like your body is losing blood somewhere (and I hope your doctors can figure it out), but, when they told me to take iron, I didn't take what the doctor prescribed. I went to the health food store and got an organic form of iron. They told me there that you must take a certain type of vit. C to help absorb the iron. So, just a thought, maybe you want to check with your health food store to make sure that you are taking the 'right' type of vit.C to help you absorb the iron. Also, it takes time to work; they wanted me to try it for 6 months. (And, last time they tested my blood, I was up.)

Good luck.

Tami (NJ)