Rheumatologist Visit

I saw my new Rheumatologist last week. The scoop from my visit with
Dr. Overman (whom I liked VERY much) is as follows:

Findings:

1. Left Sacroiliac (SI) joint has evidence of sclerosis. It was
very hard to see the joint spaces at all in the x-ray. It's pretty
close to being fused closed.
2. Right SI joint also somewhat “fuzzy” in x-ray and has mild
sclerosis as well
3. Flattening of thoracic spine indicating early AS-related
changes. We will do further x-rays later on to determine status of
lumbar spine and neck.
4. Lump in neck (see my blog for details) likely to be swelling due
to long term inflammation of sternoclavicular joint … I think he may
very well be right about this.
5. He took blood to check inflammation levels (CRP) as well as test
for Ig antibodies and H. Pylori antibodies (again, common in AS in his
recent research)

To do’s for me:

1. Add 3000 mg Fish Oil per day, high quality liquid (Carlson) -
tastes like lemon oil so is easy to eat on salads and veggies!
2. Continue with Liquid Vitamin D
3. Lose 50-60 pounds to get back closer to my regular/typical adult
weight (I've gained a bit with all the recent health stuff)
4. See a nutritionist for evaluation of possible AS-related food
sensitivities (he is finding this to be a common cause of chronic
inflammation in AS patients)
5. Elevate our bed & take a nightly prevacid or similar to
eliminate possibility of GERD (I have no symptoms, but same reasoning
as above)
6. Ensure adequate sleep, exercise and healthy diet.

I was a step ahead of him on the diet/exercise thing, as I was
noticing I’d gained a bit and that it has negatively affected my level
of back pain. So I had already decided to get back to my regular
baseline weight (about 60 pounds less than I am now) to see if it
helped. He agreed that it may help to slow down the damage if I take
the pressure off the spine. So I’m officially on Weight Watchers.

FYI, for more frequent updates, feel free to check my blog:
http://aimgrrrl.wordpress.com

Aim

Isn't it great when you get a doctor who listens? My RD is like that.
I get to see him again on the 9th. I see my surgeon on the 8th. I am
SO tired of this recliner, but it's a necessary evil right now. Take
it easy and do your best. We'll be pulling for you!

DeeTee

On Jun 30, 2:23*pm, Aim <aimgr...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I saw my new Rheumatologist last week. The scoop from my visit with
> Dr. Overman (whom I liked VERY much) is as follows:
>
> Findings:
>
> * *1. Left Sacroiliac (SI) joint has evidence of sclerosis. It was
> very hard to see the joint spaces at all in the x-ray. It's pretty
> close to being fused closed.
> * *2. Right SI joint also somewhat “fuzzy” in x-ray and has mild
> sclerosis as well
> * *3. Flattening of thoracic spine indicating early AS-related
> changes. We will do further x-rays later on to determine status of
> lumbar spine and neck.
> * *4. Lump in neck (see my blog for details) likely to be swelling due
> to long term inflammation of sternoclavicular joint … I think he may
> very well be right about this.
> * *5. He took blood to check inflammation levels (CRP) as well as test
> for Ig antibodies and H. Pylori antibodies (again, common in AS in his
> recent research)
>
> *To do’s for me:
>
> * *1. Add 3000 mg Fish Oil per day, high quality liquid (Carlson) -
> tastes like lemon oil so is easy to eat on salads and veggies!
> * *2. Continue with Liquid Vitamin D
> * *3. Lose 50-60 pounds to get back closer to my regular/typical adult
> weight (I've gained a bit with all the recent health stuff)
> * *4. See a nutritionist for evaluation of possible AS-related food
> sensitivities (he is finding this to be a common cause of chronic
> inflammation in AS patients)
> * *5. Elevate our bed & take a nightly prevacid or similar to
> eliminate possibility of GERD (I have no symptoms, but same reasoning
> as above)
> * *6. Ensure adequate sleep, exercise and healthy diet.
>
> I was a step ahead of him on the diet/exercise thing, as I was
> noticing I’d gained a bit and that it has negatively affected my level
> of back pain. So I had already decided to get back to my regular
> baseline weight (about 60 pounds less than I am now) to see if it
> helped. He agreed that it may help to slow down the damage if I take
> the pressure off the spine. So I’m officially on Weight Watchers.
>
> FYI, for more frequent updates, feel free to check my blog:http://aimgrrrl..wordpress.com
>
> Aim

Aim,


Glad you found a doc you like and who will work with you!

Over all is sounds like a fairly decent visit with much accomplished.
Hope you blood work comes back for the most part ok!!!

Best wishes!

..
..
..
..

Donna
..
..
..
..
1.) ANGELS EXIST, but some times, since they don't all have wings, we
call them FRIENDS......


2.) J.K.M.A.

Thanks, lady.
No results on the bloodwork yet. Apparently he just waits til the next
visit unless there's something major.

How the heck are you doing?

Donna G. wrote:
>
>
>
> Aim,
>
>
> Glad you found a doc you like and who will work with you!
>
> Over all is sounds like a fairly decent visit with much accomplished.
> Hope you blood work comes back for the most part ok!!!
>
> Best wishes!
>
> .
> .
> .
> .
>
> Donna
> .
> .
> .
> .
> 1.) ANGELS EXIST, but some times, since they don't all have wings, we
> call them FRIENDS......
>
>
> 2.) J.K.M.A.
>

It's wonderful.
... And I've lost 5 pounds already

DeeTee wrote:
> Isn't it great when you get a doctor who listens? My RD is like that.
> I get to see him again on the 9th. I see my surgeon on the 8th. I am
> SO tired of this recliner, but it's a necessary evil right now. Take
> it easy and do your best. We'll be pulling for you!
>
> DeeTee
>
> On Jun 30, 2:23 pm, Aim <aimgr...@gmail.com> wrote:
>> I saw my new Rheumatologist last week. The scoop from my visit with
>> Dr. Overman (whom I liked VERY much) is as follows:
>>
>> Findings:
>>
>> 1. Left Sacroiliac (SI) joint has evidence of sclerosis. It was
>> very hard to see the joint spaces at all in the x-ray. It's pretty
>> close to being fused closed.
>> 2. Right SI joint also somewhat “fuzzy” in x-ray and has mild
>> sclerosis as well
>> 3. Flattening of thoracic spine indicating early AS-related
>> changes. We will do further x-rays later on to determine status of
>> lumbar spine and neck.
>> 4. Lump in neck (see my blog for details) likely to be swelling due
>> to long term inflammation of sternoclavicular joint … I think he may
>> very well be right about this.
>> 5. He took blood to check inflammation levels (CRP) as well as test
>> for Ig antibodies and H. Pylori antibodies (again, common in AS in his
>> recent research)
>>
>> To do’s for me:
>>
>> 1. Add 3000 mg Fish Oil per day, high quality liquid (Carlson) -
>> tastes like lemon oil so is easy to eat on salads and veggies!
>> 2. Continue with Liquid Vitamin D
>> 3. Lose 50-60 pounds to get back closer to my regular/typical adult
>> weight (I've gained a bit with all the recent health stuff)
>> 4. See a nutritionist for evaluation of possible AS-related food
>> sensitivities (he is finding this to be a common cause of chronic
>> inflammation in AS patients)
>> 5. Elevate our bed & take a nightly prevacid or similar to
>> eliminate possibility of GERD (I have no symptoms, but same reasoning
>> as above)
>> 6. Ensure adequate sleep, exercise and healthy diet.
>>
>> I was a step ahead of him on the diet/exercise thing, as I was
>> noticing I’d gained a bit and that it has negatively affected my level
>> of back pain. So I had already decided to get back to my regular
>> baseline weight (about 60 pounds less than I am now) to see if it
>> helped. He agreed that it may help to slow down the damage if I take
>> the pressure off the spine. So I’m officially on Weight Watchers.
>>
>> FYI, for more frequent updates, feel free to check my blog:http://aimgrrrl.wordpress.com
>>
>> Aim
>

Sorry to hear you are needing this level of care, but he sounds like a good
RD to find for yourself! I like doctors who know their stuff and approach
management from several directions. May it all help you a lot! and may that
swelling in your nek come under control!

--
Nann
remove the Gator cheer to email me
Change everything. Love & forgive.

Hi Aim,


I'm still plugging along and for the most part doing ok.

The rituxan seems to be working fairly well for the RA and I am getting
ready to undergo another round of the rituxan infusions. I also
continue to go every month for my IVIG infusions for the newly diagnosed
immune deficiency issue. Need a knee replacement, and my lung doctor
and ortho guy are working together to get me to a point where I can have
that surgery done. Until then, my rehab doctor wants to try the synvisc
to see if that can buy me a little pain relief and time. He would do
those injections probably at the same time he does the botox injections
into the back of my leg that was effected by the stroke. The botox
helps with the spasticity I was left with after the stroke. LOL, it all
gets complicated at times, but as always, I am soooooo blessed with
incredibly caring and compassionate doctors.

Other than that, I continue to enjoy spending time with my 10 nieces and
nephews and making the rounds to their sporting events and such to
support and encourage them! They are all such a blessing to me!!!

Hope your wedding plans are coming along smoothly and that work goes ok
for you! Will your store be effected by all the closing they are
announcing for starbucks? Hope not!

..
..
..
..

Donna
..
..
..
..
1.) ANGELS EXIST, but some times, since they don't all have wings, we
call them FRIENDS......


2.) J.K.M.A.