Strange hunger/weight loss

[Miss_vanilla]

Easier said than done I know but, try not to google your symptoms, especially about leukaemia. Leukaemia symptoms can be fairly vague - I bruise fairly easily and often wonder if I have some ghastly disease but then I realise I'm clumsy and that's probably more likely the problem. I've also googled symptoms and test results in the past and gotten myself so worked up and anxious I lost all perspective and it made things so much worse. Take a break from the computer and make yourself a cup of tea and relax, take a few deep breaths and try to put things into perspective.

I read your previous post where your doctor indicated rheumatoid arthritis or lupus as a possibility - those are conditions treated by a rheumatologist, among other things. You also said your sister is being tested for lupus? It can run in families from what I've read but in saying that, it might not be that. Lupus and rheumatoid arthritis are treatable though, I've known a few women who've had these conditions, taken medication, had regular check-ups and pretty much gotten on with their lives aside from feeling unwell at times or having the occasional hospital stay.

I'm sure most people here have experienced dodgy medical tests and waiting for results. It's awful but unavoidable sometimes. Everyone is here for you to chat to if you need to.

Also, sometimes it's easier to write down any questions or concerns you have to take with you when you see your specialist, that way you won't forget to ask them anything.

 

[CHiLD-0F-THE-BEAT]

Easier said than done I know but, try not to google your symptoms, especially about leukaemia.

^This. Emphatically this!

Googling can cause unnecessary stress and concern, as can random strangers trying to diagnose you over the internet. As Miss_vanilla rightly suggested, take a break - have a cup of tea and try to forget about the tests. At the very least try to accept you cannot change the outcome.

Your Doctor will be able to answer any of your questions a million times more accurately than any one of us.

Say strong.

Also, sometimes it's easier to write down any questions or concerns you have to take with you when you see your specialist, that way you won't forget to ask them anything.

^Great advice.

 

[Shady Kaity]

Yeah, I know. I try not to google like that, I just know close to nothing about these diseases and wanted to try to understand ANA blood levels, cause it said that it could be unrelated and can be seen in healthy people or cause by an infection of some sort. Just trying to piece things together...and I feel like learning about lupus is connecting to other symptoms i experience and making them make sense, such as extreme bouts of sleepiness and my skin and why i feel like im in a "fog" most of the time. idk

It sucks, we made an appointment with a rheumatologist, but the soonest appointment is May 11th....Does anyone know why it takes so long to get an appointment with them? I was hoping it would be quicker, since these can be life threatening diseases and such, not that I expect mine to be, just saying.

I guess for now i'll look up home remedies and such to ease my symptoms until then

 

[Shimmer.Fade]

Sorry I don't really have time to look into it in depth. Simply put higher ANA levels correlate positively with an autoimmune reaction. False positives can happen, and that is why you were advised to make an appointment with a rheumatologist in order to take a closer look. The ANA levels are used to see if there might be an autoimmune problem, but are not really specific enough to form an accurate diagnosis from.

I am also baffled that it takes so long to get an appointment, why must you go to this specific specialist? Are there no others in your area? I would think acute autoimmune flare ups (if this is what it is) usually need to be treated relatively quickly in order to prevent damage from the inflammation reaction (I've only studied autoimmune stuff a bit, but I'm quite familiar with inflammation reactions). If you are feeling better then your flare up (if that is what is happening) is probably over for now. I can say that things like strong cheese, wines, nuts, and other typical allergens (even if you aren't allergic to them) can definitely contribute to your body having higher levels of chemicals associated with an inflamed state. If you eat a lot of these things you may want to cut back, at least for the short term, and see if it helps at all. Also, taking an over the counter anti-inflammatory when you are experiencing joint pain could help until you are able to see the specialist. However, be careful with the anti-inflammatory medications (maybe ask your doc for a recommendation) if you are having stomach trouble, because some can exacerbate existing issues.

 

[Shady Kaity]

Thank you for your information.
I think I have to see this rheumatologist because hes covered by my health insurance, not exactly sure though. And thats exactly what I thought too. It seems ridiculous to have to wait so long =/
And yeah, I dont really take any pain killers or ibuprofen and the likes often at all, unless im in absolute unbearable pain. Four years ago I had an over dose of 12,000mgs of tylenol, so ever since then i stay far far away from those things.
I have a question, it could be completely unrelated, but For the last four years, I've regularly abused DXM (specifically cccs) on and off. Not so much in the last year, but someone had mentioned to me it can really fuck the immune system. And one of my other friends said she now has a heart murmur and seizures from her past ccc abuse. Could this be in any relation to my current health issues?

 

[Shimmer.Fade]

Well, I'm not exactly sure how CCC damages the body, but I know it is extremely horrible for you (some of the other ingredients besides DXM when taken in high doses). If you are going to take DXM at least take a fairly pure form. I know that DXM can cause histamin reactions and itching, so it is possible it messes with the immune system somewhat, but I would think it would be more of a short term thing while it is active in your body. However, I've never read of lasting immune system damage from pure DXM.

Also, NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs, i.e. Aspirin/Aleve) are not directly painkillers. They indirectly alleviate the pain by decreasing the severity of your inflammatory reaction (once again IF this is what it is). NSAIDs are normally hard on your stomach because they inhibit one of the chemicals (PGE2 (EP3)) in stomach tissue which stimulates mucous production and decreases stomach acid secretion. This is why if you have been having stomach trouble you should talk to your doctor about a possible alternative in case your joints are hurting. Your doctor should be able to give you more advice on this, or at least help you out in dealing with your symptoms before your appointment. I find it shameful that because of insurance you must wait so long...one of the many reasons I have no real interest in ever practicing medicine in the US. It is a twisted system designed to make money.

 

[Shady Kaity]

yeah, i shouldn't take NSAIDs cuz of my ulcer, and plus it really doesnt help when i do take that or tylenol. I'm looking up other rheumatologists in my area that may accept my insurance. But for treating my symptoms i was thinking perhaps along the line of muscle relaxers or pain killers, but not pill form cuz thats too easily abused, maybe like a transdermal patch that delivers the medication slowly over a few days giving it less abuse posibility. idk.
and I am not fond of the treatment for lupus and such. Steroids...I HATE prednisone. I hate the taste, I've read nothing good about being on it long term, so if I do have lupus or something and they try to put me on that, i'm going to refuse that medication.
and the other meds ive read about don't sound all too great either, having liver toxicity and other side effects. =/

 

[Shimmer.Fade]

I guess looking for an appointment at a sooner date is about the best you can be doing right now. While waiting don't hesitate to go back to the doc if something comes up, and it wouldn't hurt to talk about attempting to manage the symptoms until you can figure out better what is going on. I wouldn't refuse taking steroids. Normally, a good doctor will carefully compare the pros and cons of a specific treatment with the outcome of not treating something. If the benefits of the treatment with relation to a condition are larger than the disadvantages then it can be better to go with the lesser of two evils. Not all doctors are good, so before starting any sort of treatment with substantial side effects it is always best to get a second opinion (if not 3rd). Anyways, maybe whatever is bothering you is not nearly so serious, and if that is the case you will not even need to even confront these issues.

 

[CHiLD-0F-THE-BEAT]

Kaity, I think you're forgetting that you haven't even been diagnosed yet! Trying to make decisions regarding treatments is ludicrous. Your Rheumatologist will know better than anyone what drugs if any, will assist with any health problems.

I recommend discussing possible drug combinations with your Doctor once you have all of the information.

I'm closing this again, and will reopen when you have something concrete to add. Best of luck.