Question about test results

Not for me, obviously since I already what I have (lol). Friend had
blood work done, she has been diagnosed with CFS, and now she's having
"arthritic" response, bi-lateral (hands, wrists, ankles, and feet).
Her blood work came back as follows:

Sedimentation Rate: 25 (normal is 0 - 20)
C3 : 1.28 (normal is 0.50 - 2.00)
C4 : 0.29 (normal is -.20 - 0.50)
RA Factor: <20.0 (normal is 0.0 - 20.0)


So, she's testing positive for RA (but apparently not much). Her
primary said nothing is wrong with her, but can't do squat about her
aching joints, doesn't believe she has any pain (even though she's
showing some inflammation in her ESR).

She can't get another primary, they aren't taking new patients in her
part of Canada (she's tried). Had to 'twist arms' to get this primary
to take her case.

She does have an appointment with an RD in Feb, but trying to get a
handle on what she's got.

Thanks for any help, y'all.

Smokie Darling (Annie)

If she has a rd appointment in Canada for February that is good and probably
the fastest she can get. The RD can diagnose her and will be able to do a
joint examination for swelling. Her sed rate is obviously a bit high (but
that doesn't have to be high to have RA or inflammatory arthritis).

One of the things she can do is go to Dr Gottlieb's site and read the
information for first appointments. She needs to diarize what she can do
and can't do such as on a scale of need help some of the time, all of the
time, none of the time or can't do at all, can do 50% of the time, can do
only in the morning: things such as climb 5 stairs, put hands above head
and lift down 5 lbs, dress yourself, shampoo hair, vacuum, get out of
armless chair, cut meat, open a jar that has been opened before, open carton
of milk, lift a full glass of water to your mouth.

She also should keep an eye on time morning stiffness lasts. Also keep a
pain diary 1 - 10. 10 being the most pain you have been in 0 no pain. Keep
a diary of mornings, afternoons and evenings for this. note what activities
drive this up.

What things help what joints - ie: ice, aspirin in the morning, warm shower
etc.

Make a list of all herbal meds including teas, all conventional meds, all
operations.

This will help her rd to give her a diagnosis a bit quicker. It might also
help to know what area of Canada she is in. One of us might know the rd and
know what he/she is like.

Hope this helps a bit. In the meantime tell her to look at the
www.arthritis.ca page. This is the Canadian arthritis society page and it
has lots of coping ideas for pain - don't forget it can take awhile for a
diagnosis even with a rd. Sometimes at the beginning the pain shows before
the inflammation.

Dr. Gottliebs page is http://www.arthritis.co.za/Default.htm I was sure
there was a spot for a pre check to bring to a first appointment but can't
find it. The above gives her an idea of what they will want though.

Kelly

"Smokie Darling (Annie)" <Barnabus1993@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1167935119.968234.56890@6g2000cwy.googlegroup s.com...
> Not for me, obviously since I already what I have (lol). Friend had
> blood work done, she has been diagnosed with CFS, and now she's having
> "arthritic" response, bi-lateral (hands, wrists, ankles, and feet).
> Her blood work came back as follows:
>
> Sedimentation Rate: 25 (normal is 0 - 20)
> C3 : 1.28 (normal is 0.50 - 2.00)
> C4 : 0.29 (normal is -.20 - 0.50)
> RA Factor: <20.0 (normal is 0.0 - 20.0)
>
>
> So, she's testing positive for RA (but apparently not much). Her
> primary said nothing is wrong with her, but can't do squat about her
> aching joints, doesn't believe she has any pain (even though she's
> showing some inflammation in her ESR).
>
> She can't get another primary, they aren't taking new patients in her
> part of Canada (she's tried). Had to 'twist arms' to get this primary
> to take her case.
>
> She does have an appointment with an RD in Feb, but trying to get a
> handle on what she's got.
>
> Thanks for any help, y'all.
>
> Smokie Darling (Annie)
>

On 4 Jan 2007 10:25:20 -0800, "Smokie Darling (Annie)" <Barnabus1993@yahoo.com>
wrote in alt.support.arthritis:

>She can't get another primary, they aren't taking new patients in her
>part of Canada (she's tried). Had to 'twist arms' to get this primary
>to take her case.

Where in Canada is she?
---
Joan

On Jan 4, 7:39 pm, Joan Carter <spamf...@sentex.ca> wrote:
> On 4 Jan 2007 10:25:20 -0800, "Smokie Darling (Annie)" <Barnabus1...@yahoo.com>
> wrote in alt.support.arthritis:
>
> >She can't get another primary, they aren't taking new patients in her
> >part of Canada (she's tried). Had to 'twist arms' to get this primary
> >to take her case.Where in Canada is she?
> ---
> Joan

Montreal. She has tried to get a new Primary for nearly 3 years when
she finally got this one. I hadn't realized it was that bad, but
apparently the current docs aren't taking new patients, new ones are
coming in, and some specialists are now on strike (or were a couple of
weeks back).

On Jan 4, 6:31 pm, "Kelly" <kelly...@shaw.ca> wrote:
> If she has a rd appointment in Canada for February that is good and probably
> the fastest she can get. The RD can diagnose her and will be able to do a
> joint examination for swelling. Her sed rate is obviously a bit high (but
> that doesn't have to be high to have RA or inflammatory arthritis).
>
> One of the things she can do is go to Dr Gottlieb's site and read the
> information for first appointments. She needs to diarize what she can do
> and can't do such as on a scale of need help some of the time, all of the
> time, none of the time or can't do at all, can do 50% of the time, can do
> only in the morning: things such as climb 5 stairs, put hands above head
> and lift down 5 lbs, dress yourself, shampoo hair, vacuum, get out of
> armless chair, cut meat, open a jar that has been opened before, open carton
> of milk, lift a full glass of water to your mouth.
>
> She also should keep an eye on time morning stiffness lasts. Also keep a
> pain diary 1 - 10. 10 being the most pain you have been in 0 no pain. Keep
> a diary of mornings, afternoons and evenings for this. note what activities
> drive this up.
>
> What things help what joints - ie: ice, aspirin in the morning, warm shower
> etc.
>
> Make a list of all herbal meds including teas, all conventional meds, all
> operations.
>
> This will help her rd to give her a diagnosis a bit quicker. It might also
> help to know what area of Canada she is in. One of us might know the rd and
> know what he/she is like.
>
> Hope this helps a bit. In the meantime tell her to look at thewww.arthritis.capage. This is the Canadian arthritis society page and it
> has lots of coping ideas for pain - don't forget it can take awhile for a
> diagnosis even with a rd. Sometimes at the beginning the pain shows before
> the inflammation.
>
> Dr. Gottliebs page ishttp://www.arthritis.co.za/Default.htm I was sure
> there was a spot for a pre check to bring to a first appointment but can't
> find it. The above gives her an idea of what they will want though.
>
> Kelly
>
Thank you Kelly. I know she'll appreciate the links. She's worried
about everything, I remember being there. Trying to get her to come in
and say hi, but I think she isn't quite ready for us yet (lol).

Smokie Darling (Annie)

On 4 Jan 2007 18:52:26 -0800, "Smokie Darling (Annie)" <Barnabus1993@yahoo.com>
wrote in alt.support.arthritis:

>Montreal. She has tried to get a new Primary for nearly 3 years when
>she finally got this one. I hadn't realized it was that bad, but
>apparently the current docs aren't taking new patients, new ones are
>coming in, and some specialists are now on strike (or were a couple of
>weeks back).

It is getting bad. I am in Perth, near Ottawa. One of our doctors just retired
leaving 3,500 patients without a doctor. We have others nearing retirement age.
My beef if that the CMA won't allow foreign doctors to qualify to work here.
There are doctors driving taxis, working as lab techs and all kinds of things. I
agree not all are up to par, but spend 6 months or a year with a GP and get to
know the system here, make sure the language is up to par. And then the med
schools cut the enrollment. We used to have a top notch medical system.

I don't know the Montreal docs so can't help your friend there. I am lucky to
have a great RD in Kingston. An hour drive to see him, but he's worth it.
---
Joan

On Jan 4, 8:44 pm, Joan Carter <spamf...@sentex.ca> wrote:
> On 4 Jan 2007 18:52:26 -0800, "Smokie Darling (Annie)" <Barnabus1...@yahoo.com>
> wrote in alt.support.arthritis:
>
> >Montreal. She has tried to get a new Primary for nearly 3 years when
> >she finally got this one. I hadn't realized it was that bad, but
> >apparently the current docs aren't taking new patients, new ones are
> >coming in, and some specialists are now on strike (or were a couple of
> >weeks back).It is getting bad. I am in Perth, near Ottawa. One of our doctors just retired
> leaving 3,500 patients without a doctor. We have others nearing retirement age.
> My beef if that the CMA won't allow foreign doctors to qualify to work here.
> There are doctors driving taxis, working as lab techs and all kinds of things. I
> agree not all are up to par, but spend 6 months or a year with a GP and get to
> know the system here, make sure the language is up to par. And then the med
> schools cut the enrollment. We used to have a top notch medical system.
>
> I don't know the Montreal docs so can't help your friend there. I am lucky to
> have a great RD in Kingston. An hour drive to see him, but he's worth it.
> ---
> Joan

Well, worst comes to worst (and she's already seeing the worst, from
hearing about my RA), she might be interested in going to someplace
else.

Poor thing, she is just certain she's going to end up like me. I keep
telling her that she's getting a specialist 3 years before I got mine,
so she is way ahead of *my* curve.

She is grateful for the info you've been providing. Eventually, she'll
learn that YMMV (poor thing). I'm just trying to keep her from flying
off for the next "sure cure". Knowledge is the best defense against
cure-alls.

SD (Annie)

Keep trying to get her in here Annie. Also a copy of the Arthritis Helpbook
might be a good idea. She could at least start protecting her joints by
using good body dynamics, ice, heat and some mild range of motion and
possibly isometrics. Getting her to a physio for that would be a good
idea - the physio if they were any good might even be able to advocate to
the specialist. Keeping that range of motion is half the battle and
protecting the joints by using big muscle groups instead of small joints etc
will help save damage. She will be way ahead of most curves if this is what
she has (and yes it might and no it might not but these things don't hurt).

We would love to talk to her though and no we won't chase her away unless
she tries to sell us **** theories.

Kelly
"Smokie Darling (Annie)" <Barnabus1993@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1167972530.606399.270130@i15g2000cwa.googlegr oups.com...
>
>
> On Jan 4, 8:44 pm, Joan Carter <spamf...@sentex.ca> wrote:
>> On 4 Jan 2007 18:52:26 -0800, "Smokie Darling (Annie)"
>> <Barnabus1...@yahoo.com>
>> wrote in alt.support.arthritis:
>>
>> >Montreal. She has tried to get a new Primary for nearly 3 years when
>> >she finally got this one. I hadn't realized it was that bad, but
>> >apparently the current docs aren't taking new patients, new ones are
>> >coming in, and some specialists are now on strike (or were a couple of
>> >weeks back).It is getting bad. I am in Perth, near Ottawa. One of our
>> >doctors just retired
>> leaving 3,500 patients without a doctor. We have others nearing
>> retirement age.
>> My beef if that the CMA won't allow foreign doctors to qualify to work
>> here.
>> There are doctors driving taxis, working as lab techs and all kinds of
>> things. I
>> agree not all are up to par, but spend 6 months or a year with a GP and
>> get to
>> know the system here, make sure the language is up to par. And then the
>> med
>> schools cut the enrollment. We used to have a top notch medical system.
>>
>> I don't know the Montreal docs so can't help your friend there. I am
>> lucky to
>> have a great RD in Kingston. An hour drive to see him, but he's worth it.
>> ---
>> Joan
>
> Well, worst comes to worst (and she's already seeing the worst, from
> hearing about my RA), she might be interested in going to someplace
> else.
>
> Poor thing, she is just certain she's going to end up like me. I keep
> telling her that she's getting a specialist 3 years before I got mine,
> so she is way ahead of *my* curve.
>
> She is grateful for the info you've been providing. Eventually, she'll
> learn that YMMV (poor thing). I'm just trying to keep her from flying
> off for the next "sure cure". Knowledge is the best defense against
> cure-alls.
>
> SD (Annie)
>