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Abnormal blood test results

The doctor called this morning, I was starting to think I fell through the cracks. He started with my ANA being high which could indicate an AI issue and presented two options. The first would be to repeat the bloodwork to see if the ANA is still outside normal range and if so, do a larger battery of blood work and refer me to a rheumatologist. Or, I could go straight to doing the blood work and getting referred to the rheumatologist. I opted for the more conservative route and will repeat the ANA in 6 months or so.

In the meantime, I’m going to continue to eat healthy, having a relatively easy time of this so far. I automate most of what I eat so I never have to worry about what’s for breakfast or lunch and dinner is usually a salad of some sort.

Will come back and update with any news as I get it.
 
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YadaYadaYada said:
The doctor called this morning, I was starting to think I fell through the cracks. He started with my ANA being high which could indicate an AI issue and presented two options. The first would be to repeat the bloodwork to see if the ANA is still outside normal range and if so, do a larger battery of blood work and refer me to a rheumatologist. Or, I could go straight to doing the blood work and getting referred to the rheumatologist. I opted for the more conservative route and will repeat the ANA in 6 months or so.

In the meantime I’m going to continue to eat healthy, having a relatively easy time of this so far. I automate most of what I eat so I never have to worry about what’s for breakfast or lunch and dinner is usually a salad of some sort.

Will come back and update with any news as I get it.
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That’s exactly what I would have done. Thank you for updating us and continuing well wishes being sent your way
 
I’m having a bit of anxiety so I thought I would just write about it and maybe it will help to get it out there.

It occurred to me today that maybe my idea of normal is not actually normal at all but I’ve just made excuses along the way, maybe putting them all together, something I’ve never done, is what I need to do. Things like the rashes I get ever year, maybe allergies or maybe not. My legs ache terribly some nights after working for four hours, always thought it was because I am out of shape. When I first started this job I would literally hobble into the house and collapse into a chair, I could barely move, again I excused it as being fat.

Brain fog, can’t remember words when I talk to people, it is maddening but I thought it was residual from the eye stroke I had. However, it was not a brain stroke so does that even make sense? Maybe not? Oh yes, and the eye stroke that Yale could not explain, they did look suspiciously at my face to determine if the rash on my face was just rosacea or butterfly pattern. No testing at the time to rule out anything, they did test for blood clotting disorders and I don’t have any.

I had years where I struggled with anxiety and depression to a degree that I can’t even remember our second son as a baby, I was in bed most of the time. Why could I not get my anxiety under control, why could I not shake the depression, why did I hate myself so much at the time?

So I have to wait to get the blood work done again but I am kind of hoping they come up with something. It would explain a lot, like why I am always tired, like even after a a good sleep, just so tired. It would possibly explain the eye stroke too, it has always bothered me that there was no answer as to why it happened just “a condition of pregnancy” :rolleyes:

Okay well, that’s it, just going through some feelings.
 
YadaYadaYada said:
I’m having a bit of anxiety so I thought I would just write about it and maybe it will help to get it out there.

It occurred to me today that maybe my idea of normal is not actually normal at all but I’ve just made excuses along the way, maybe putting them all together, something I’ve never done, is what I need to do. Things like the rashes I get ever year, maybe allergies or maybe not. My legs ache terribly some nights after working for four hours, always thought it was because I am out of shape. When I first started this job I would literally hobble into the house and collapse into a chair, I could barely move, again I excused it as being fat.

Brain fog, can’t remember words when I talk to people, it is maddening but I thought it was residual from the eye stroke I had. However, it was not a brain stroke so does that even make sense? Maybe not? Oh yes, and the eye stroke that Yale could not explain, they did look suspiciously at my face to determine if the rash on my face was just rosacea or butterfly pattern. No testing at the time to rule out anything, they did test for blood clotting disorders and I don’t have any.

I had years where I struggled with anxiety and depression to a degree that I can’t even remember our second son as a baby, I was in bed most of the time. Why could I not get my anxiety under control, why could I not shake the depression, why did I hate myself so much at the time?

So I have to wait to get the blood work done again but I am kind of hoping they come up with something. It would explain a lot, like why I am always tired, like even after a a good sleep, just so tired. It would possibly explain the eye stroke too, it has always bothered me that there was no answer as to why it happened just “a condition of pregnancy” :rolleyes:

Okay well, that’s it, just going through some feelings.
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I don't have any sage advice, and I know next to nothing about medical stuff.
But I will say that I know you are a strong and fabulous woman.
And its okay to go through the feelings.
{{{Hugs}}}
 
@YadaYadaYada could you ask your primary care physician for a referral to a specialist?
 
YadaYadaYada said:
...Things like the rashes I get ever year, maybe allergies or maybe not...residual from the eye stroke I had...Oh yes, and the eye stroke that Yale could not explain, they did look suspiciously at my face to determine if the rash on my face was just rosacea or butterfly pattern....
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All this plus positive ANA suggests that you should be seen by a Rheumatologist. You may already have been. There are excellent meds for lupus now.
 
YadaYadaYada said:
I’m having a bit of anxiety so I thought I would just write about it and maybe it will help to get it out there.

It occurred to me today that maybe my idea of normal is not actually normal at all but I’ve just made excuses along the way, maybe putting them all together, something I’ve never done, is what I need to do. Things like the rashes I get ever year, maybe allergies or maybe not. My legs ache terribly some nights after working for four hours, always thought it was because I am out of shape. When I first started this job I would literally hobble into the house and collapse into a chair, I could barely move, again I excused it as being fat.

Brain fog, can’t remember words when I talk to people, it is maddening but I thought it was residual from the eye stroke I had. However, it was not a brain stroke so does that even make sense? Maybe not? Oh yes, and the eye stroke that Yale could not explain, they did look suspiciously at my face to determine if the rash on my face was just rosacea or butterfly pattern. No testing at the time to rule out anything, they did test for blood clotting disorders and I don’t have any.

I had years where I struggled with anxiety and depression to a degree that I can’t even remember our second son as a baby, I was in bed most of the time. Why could I not get my anxiety under control, why could I not shake the depression, why did I hate myself so much at the time?

So I have to wait to get the blood work done again but I am kind of hoping they come up with something. It would explain a lot, like why I am always tired, like even after a a good sleep, just so tired. It would possibly explain the eye stroke too, it has always bothered me that there was no answer as to why it happened just “a condition of pregnancy” :rolleyes:

Okay well, that’s it, just going through some feelings.
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oh @YadaYadaYada you need something really nice to happen in your life

anxiiety and depression is not for ever as you know, good times came again, and will again and everything else will be eaiser
dont feel bad about how it was when your son was a baby, just concentrate on loving him and spending time with him now, nobodies parenting is perfect, nobodies and you are not the first mum to feel like that

on the aches and pains i can sympathise, and some pain killers do make us tired

keep up with the healthy eatting and be eaiser on your self
try not to over think things, the doc has it under control now and will keep an eye on you
enjoy your beautiful spring
 
@nala and @LilAlex, I took your advice and called this morning, the referral was sent and I was told they should call me within the week.

At this point I just want to find out what I’m dealing with, thought I could wait on it but now my anxiety is kicking in. I read everyone’s posts since last night and appreciate all of them.
 
YadaYadaYada said:
@nala and @LilAlex, I took your advice and called this morning, the referral was sent and I was told they should call me within the week.

At this point I just want to find out what I’m dealing with, thought I could wait on it but now my anxiety is kicking in. I read everyone’s posts since last night and appreciate all of them.
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I am happy to hear that. Hopefully it will be nothing, and that you will find peace of mind in the process.
 
Just back sharing an update. Received a message from the rheumatologist’s office this morning just letting me know that I will have to get more blood work done prior to my appointment being scheduled. They are ordering the following tests:

CCP, ESR, RF and Uric Acid

So that is the next step. I told DH that I anticipate getting diagnosed will be a rather long process but we will see.

In the meantime, still eating healthy, have started IF to see if that improves my energy levels any. Avoiding stress as much as possible, I’m thinking that what initially had me go to the doctor in February was a flare of some sort brought on by stress.

Will keep updating as things move along.
 
YadaYadaYada said:
Just back sharing an update. Received a message from the rheumatologist’s office this morning just letting me know that I will have to get more blood work done prior to my appointment being scheduled. They are ordering the following tests:

CCP, ESR, RF and Uric Acid

So that is the next step. I told DH that I anticipate getting diagnosed will be a rather long process but we will see.

In the meantime, still eating healthy, have started IF to see if that improves my energy levels any. Avoiding stress as much as possible, I’m thinking that what initially had me go to the doctor in February was a flare of some sort brought on by stress.

Will keep updating as things move along.
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Hi Yada just want to chime in about IF. It causes stress on our adrenals so I recommend it only to those with healthy adrenals. It can be a source of physiological stress for everyone else
 
missy said:
Hi Yada just want to chime in about IF. It causes stress on our adrenals so I recommend it only to those with healthy adrenals. It can be a source of physiological stress for everyone else
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Yes thank you, I know it’s not for everyone. I have talked to my doctor about it and he said it would be fine for me but only a couple of days a week and not a super long fast.
 
YadaYadaYada said:
Yes thank you, I know it’s not for everyone. I have talked to my doctor about it and he said it would be fine for me but only a couple of days a week and not a super long fast.
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Good luck with your appointments
If you ever want to evaluate your adrenals (because otherwise imo they’re guessing) I recommend the ZRT 24 hr saliva cortisol test. It’ll definitively show your adrenal health
 
missy said:
Good luck with your appointments
If you ever want to evaluate your adrenals (because otherwise imo they’re guessing) I recommend the ZRT 24 hr saliva cortisol test. It’ll definitively show your adrenal health
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I’m relieved there is a saliva test because it is taking a lot for me to deal with getting blood work done. I am needle phobic so anything that doesn’t involve getting jabbed is very much welcome.
 
YadaYadaYada said:
I’m relieved there is a saliva test because it is taking a lot for me to deal with getting blood work done. I am needle phobic so anything that doesn’t involve getting jabbed is very much welcome.
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Absolutely. In fact blood work is not accurate in measuring usable cortisol
 
YadaYadaYada said:
It occurred to me today that maybe my idea of normal is not actually normal at all but I’ve just made excuses along the way
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This reminded me of something a random internet user once wrote that I saved then because it resonated:
"Disability will have you thinking shit like “I’m not even that disabled. I can manage as long as I limit myself to very specific careers, never go shopping for more than an hour or two at a time, keep my plans open so I can cancel and stay in if need be, and only go out a few nights per week at the most”

We all perceive normal through our own eyes, mostly, and it can lead to exactly that, yeah. Not realising something isn't normal, because in reality it's just normal for you. It's your reality, it's your normality, it's how you live your life. The moment you see that's not how everyone else does it is the moment you realise it's not really normal at all.

YadaYadaYada said:
I am always tired, like even after a a good sleep, just so tired.
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One thing I still struggle with is fatigue. AI related fatigue turned out to be unlike any other feeling of tiredness I had known before. It's not physical, and it's not purely psychological either, it's... when it hits, I just want to lie down and do nothing. I'm not sleepy, so I won't sleep, but I can't really do anything either. I don't have the energy for chores, for example, but I also can't bring myself to do something enjoyable, like read a book, play a game or anything that requires any sort of effort, thinking or attention on my side. Is that how it is for you, too?

In any case, it's good that you've noticed this and you're following up with a specialist. Yes, a diagnosis might take a while, and it might end up being something entirely different (or nothing wrong at all, who knows), but whatever it is, it already is, so it's best to find out now.

In the meantime, I can suggest you read the spoon theory. It's kind of like gospel for us folk with AI but if you ask me it's applicable to everyone, and it's also a good way to explain to someone who doesn't understand why you're tired and struggle with things.
 
Make sure they test for thyroid antibodies. It’s not a standard one. Only way I was diagnosed with Hashimotos.
 
@YadaYadaYada have you had a sleep test? Do you snore?
imho not a doc, but anyone that after what seems like a full nights sleep is tired a lot needs at least an at home overnight o2 study.
Sleep apnea can cause all kinds of things to be off.
 
@Avondale, thank you for the spoon theory link, really a tenuous idea for getting someone to understand what having an illness that causes fatigue is like. I was talking to DH over the weekend and he said he wishes I had some friends to hang out with, I asked him when exactly I would do that since I work four nights a week (Wednesday we go to the cat shelter and the weekends I work morning to afternoon). He said Saturday night, I immediately thought “You want me to work and then go out at night?! There is no way I would have enough energy for that!”

Yes, I also struggle with fatigue, I don’t necessarily need to sleep but I just have to carve out time in my day to lie down otherwise I can’t keep going. Your whole post I was shaking my head in agreement, you get it.
 
@Ionysis and @Karl_K, thanks for the suggestions, I know they did some preliminary thyroid tests but looking into it there is a whole battery of tests that still needs to be done. I will talk to the doctor about it.

The nurse as my doctor’s office asked if I have had a sleep study and I haven’t yet. It’s something on my list but I’m trying to do one thing at a time because I’m easily overwhelmed with medical stuff. Thank you for the suggestion though, I definitely need to look into that too.
 
Mreader said:
Sending hugs your way Yada and hoping you get some answers
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Thanks so much. Yes to answers, my biggest fear is that they find “nothing” or tests are inconclusive.
 
Back with a very small update. It took (what seems) weeks for my doctor to finally order the labs and then of course I had to work up the courage to get my blood drawn. This morning DH was able to go with me since he had the day off from work. It was fine but the phlebotomist was very robotic and impersonal, since I already hate doing this, that made it even more unpleasant.

So now I wait to see if rheumatology deems my results worthy of an appointment. I have no idea how long the results will take to come back but maybe a week?

In the meantime, I’m still eating well and fasting regularly and have lost 25lbs, I can fit into smaller jeans and that is something I haven’t been able to say for a long time. Those changes will be permanent as I’m finding them very easy and I feel good and not like I’m struggling or yearning for a cheat day. In the past I have tried Paleo and Weight Watchers (both a long time ago) and always struggled with good cravings so to finally have a good healthy relationship with food is a game changer.

Will keep you posted.
 
YadaYadaYada said:
Back with a very small update. It took (what seems) weeks for my doctor to finally order the labs and then of course I had to work up the courage to get my blood drawn. This morning DH was able to go with me since he had the day off from work. It was fine but the phlebotomist was very robotic and impersonal, since I already hate doing this, that made it even more unpleasant.

So now I wait to see if rheumatology deems my results worthy of an appointment. I have no idea how long the results will take to come back but maybe a week?

In the meantime, I’m still eating well and fasting regularly and have lost 25lbs, I can fit into smaller jeans and that is something I haven’t been able to say for a long time. Those changes will be permanent as I’m finding them very easy and I feel good and not like I’m struggling or yearning for a cheat day. In the past I have tried Paleo and Weight Watchers (both a long time ago) and always struggled with good cravings so to finally have a good healthy relationship with food is a game changer.

Will keep you posted.
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Blood work usually takes 3 days! It shows up on your portal or lab app if you have one. I hear you on the fear. I had DH drive me to my mammogram earlier this week bc PTSD is real!
I am proud of you! Keep up the good work!
 
nala said:
Blood work usually takes 3 days! It shows up on your portal or lab app if you have one.
I am proud of you! Keep up the good work!
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Thanks for the support Nala, it means a lot. Last time I got my blood done some of the tests took a lot longer than the others, three days would be great, waiting is the hardest part.
 
@YadaYadaYada
Hopefully everything will turn out ok!
I hate the blood draws, too. I'm not a squeamish person, but I cannot watch them draw my blood.
25lbs! That's wonderful!
It's a hard thing, to you wrap your brain around eating better.
Keep us posted!
 
Rather surprised that two tests results have already come back. Rheumatoid factor is normal and sedimentation rate is also normal. I really wish they had ordered tests for Lupus vs RA because I think it’s a higher probability and I would like to just get all the blood work done with. Patience is not my strong point but just going to see what the rest of the test results show.
 
YadaYadaYada said:
Rather surprised that two tests results have already come back. Rheumatoid factor is normal and sedimentation rate is also normal. I really wish they had ordered tests for Lupus vs RA because I think it’s a higher probability and I would like to just get all the blood work done with. Patience is not my strong point but just going to see what the rest of the test results show.
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well that is two things ruled out so just take a breather for a few moments and relax

have you booked in for that long weekend yet ?
 
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