Test results.....

[jhmom]

I am on Imuran so I have labs and U/A every other month. I went last week to have it done and my doctor's office called and said there was white blood cells and blood in my urine. She said it was probably a UTI and would call me in an antibiotic. I told her I had never had a UTI and didn't seem to have any problems in that area and that I had just come out of a flare with terrible nausea, loss of appetite, sore around my ribs and in my back. She then decided to send a second sample off for a culture. Of course I haven't heard anything yet, will probably be sometime next week.... I hate waiting. I have been doing some reading but wanted to get your opinions too! style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/Thanx.gif

[Lily]

((((((((Stacie)))))))))

Sorry to hear you were flaring, but glad you are coming out of it now style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/hugbetter.gif

The general rule of thumb is if there are white cells present then it is usually related to infection in the urinary tract somewhere. The blood can be because of the infection, and even sometimes a small amount of protein shows with infection if its aggressive and starting to cause more problems. It could be anywhere in the urinary tract, if there were only a small amount of white cells, then perhaps you would have no symptoms?

Let us know how you get along. When I had kidney problems related to Lupus I had constant inflammation showing red cells (mostly very high amounts) and very high protein at times (other times it was a small or moderate amount of protein) . And no white cells ever ever.

love
Lily

[alobreto]

Hi, Stacie! style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif
Lily has provided very good information here. White cells in the urine generally do indicated infection somewhere in the urinary system. And you can have an infection with no burning, frequency, or urgency if the infection is higher in the system than the bladder.

Not all docs treat with antibiotics before a culture when white cells are present. Many go ahead and submit the sample for a culture and sensitivity test before treating to make sure that the antibiotic they select is the right one for the kind of germs that are present. The delay of a few days in starting treatment is not significant in an uncomplicated UTI.

Be sure to drink lots of fluids!
Angela style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/flowers.gif

[jhmom]

Thank you ladies style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

I went back to the doctor last week to leave another sample for them to send off for a culture. I got the results today....... no infection, no UTI, etc. They have no idea what has caused this so now I have a call into my rheumy and see what she has to say about it. The nurse did tell me that it was a small amount of white & red blood cells that was detected (as if that is supposed to make me feel better). I thought it was just WBC and blood, not that it makes a big difference.. I'm sorry.. now I'm just rambling... thanks for listening. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/Thanx.gif

[alobreto]

Just another 2 cents worth:
WBCs and blood is exactly the same thing as white and red blood cells.
Angela style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/flowers.gif

[jhmom]

Thanks for clarifying that Angela, the nurse made it sound like 2 different things and since I'm not in the medical profession I had no idea!

I called my rheumy to let her know the culture results and she has ordered a 24 hour urine test so maybe I will know more soon!

On another note, I am a little annoyed at my PCP office. They are the ones that do my labs every other month for the Imuran and of course I have to call them and have them fax the results to me and then I forward them to my rheumy as they never look in my chart to find my rheumy's instructions to fax them style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/hissy1.gif . I don't mind faxing them because I like to keep an eye on things too. Well today since my urine test came back abnormal I contacted my rheumy because I don't think my PCP or nurse knows alot about Lupus. They contacted my PCP and ordered the test so when I went to my PCP office the nurse said that she and my rheumy's nurse "talked" about me today and when I asked what was said she went on to say things like: " I asked her if she (me) called her as much as I called them". I don't know whether I should ignore it because it kinda bothered me. I don't call them ALL the time, only when there is a problem but she made me feel as tho I was bothering them. Anyway... just had to get that off my chest!

style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/Thanx.gif again for listening! style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/foryou.gif

[Lily]

Hi Stacie style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/foryou.gif

I got sick of dealing with test results not coming through to my Immunologist, and he was getting a bit annoyed too. At first I was doing what you do and getting copies and taking them with me. Then I thought what the heck this isnt my responsibility~! So I tackled the GP directly, it turned out it was pathology's fault, he was ordering a copy to be sent to him and also my specialist but they werent doing it. After a while and a phone call from him I suspect they got it right! I think what spurred him on was my talking to him which co-incided with a note in my letter from the specialist could the GP please attend to it style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif

You shouldnt have to be chasing up paperwork. Find out where the problem lies and get them to sort it out. Sometimes a word with the GP is all thats needed, he may not realise results are not getting through. Whether thats pathology's fault or the GP receptionist is not your concern. Whoever should be taking responsibility isnt, so they need to get their act together. Thats what we pay them for style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

As far as her comments go they were way out of line, and I guess your best form of defence is to correct the command chain and if its her at fault then she will get her butt kicked and if its not then you wont have to be ringing so often anyway. Geesh, its not like we dont have better things to do and enough stress in our lives.

(((((((((Stacie)))))))))

Oh and good luck with the 24hr that should reveal more about what if anything is going on. Sometimes they just check it to get a better feel for the problem and clarify the situation better.

love
Lily

[alobreto]

Hi, Stacie! style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif
My word! style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/hissy1.gif It sounds to me like those people at the GPs office think it is YOUR job to do THEIR jobs!

I agree with Lily that a word with the doc is in order. Not only is someone dropping the ball as far as your lab results go, but the clod who spoke to you about 'calling so much' was WAY out of line! The doc needs to know how she is presenting herself to the people who PAY HIS BILLS and HER SALARY!

style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/hugbetter.gif It does sound like something that can be straightened out, though, with some good old fashioned communication. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/hugbetter.gif
Angela style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/flowers.gif