[Mrs M]

Hi everyone hope you are all well.

I'm sure most are aware of other threads I've done and I just need your advice, knowledge and direction please.

Saw my GP yesterday as I feel terrible. He checked my pulse which was just over 100 and my heart he said was beating at the upper end of normal but said not to worry!!!!!!

Hand still not stopped shaking and he said that ami should be out of my body now a week on so if hand was a reaction it should have eased. Told me to use the pain relief patches as I'd held off for a week until hopefully my hand would have stopped!

As GP was cheking my details on computer I saw some blood test results that were highlighted but he skipped past them. I asked whether my results were in from last week and he said he wasn't aware I'd had more! Anyway went back to results page and I asked why lymphocytes are still a litlle low and under normal range and a new test I had was rheumatoid factor. That too was highlighted! It was 38 and normal range was 0 - 20 ? What does this mean because GP just said it's nothing to worry about but surely if it's not in normal range it must have a clue to why I'm not well? Any ideas on these results would be fantastic.

At the end of appointment I asked if they will ever get to the bottom of things and start treating me accordingly because I really need to feel better for my daughters sake. I hate for her to see me upset and unwell
GP ended with saying that my case is a very complexed one and that they are trying their best which I think they are but they should let me know what they're thinking????

Can any one give me any ideas on results and what I should do or ask next as I just don't understand all of this and feel really low. I know I've apologised in past for moaning but have been kindly told ther is no need to I'd still like to say S**** for this moan.

Mrs M x

 

[sam101360]

I strongly suggest you get a rhumatologist, they are better equipped to deal with these type of issues. Your GP is trying, but of course this isnt his area of expertise.

I hope you feel better soon.

Stephanie

 

[KarolH]

I agree with Stephanie in that you need a doctor who specializes in auto immune diseases. Your GP sounds like a lovely person yet I do not think he can help you with all of this. It is not his field of expertise.

I always have low lympocytes............have for years and I do not know why.

Anyway, I am sorry your feeling so low and I sure hope you get on the fast track to feeling better. We are here for you and please do not apologize for venting, ranting and moaning.

We all do it and in return this group of people are here to support you.

Feel better soon.:wink2:

 

[LolaLola]

Hello Mrs. M, I quite agree that this is probably too much for a GP to string together. I am sure he is quite caring but you need Specialist input.
Many of us have totally wasted our breath until we have ended up with the right person who can read the clues properly.
Being told not to worry is not good enough, as you say you have a family to consider. You deserve to be helped.
x Lola

 

[Mrs M]

thanks guys for your support.

I am currently under a Rheumy and have been since beginning of year. It was the locum Rheumy I saw last week that ordered these tests and I'm due to go back in 6 weeks. Rheumy department aren't sure what's happening so would they now knowing the RF result start doing something more rather than just saying that I may have a connected tissue disorder? I do hope so as you'll all understand that we need answers but more that we need meds to feel better.

Take care Mrs M x

 

[Katharine]

Hi Mrs M,

Other than agreeing that obviously you need a rheumy treating you, I just wanted to say that, indeed, you shouldn't worry too much about blood tests.
They can be extremely complex (even for your good GP) and we are unlikely to ever understand more than the basics. My GP is excellent but will also readily admit that bloods are so complex that they can't possibly know all about them.

I remember in one of my recent visits my rheumy said "your bloods are good". When I then saw them I had to wonder what was she going on about as there was a very strong positive for something that indicates lupus activity. But you see, from her point of view they were good as I no longer had circulating immune complexes all over the show and other things had come back into line.

From her point of view me having a high lupus activity marker was hardly a surprise, I was feeling like death warmed up and had just had a pretty major set back.

that's my take on it anyway,

PS, I don't mean not worry in the sense that they're not important and that you shouldn't take an interest. Of course they are very important and you should take an interest but the doc probably means that you shouldn't worry about it, it is their job to do so.

Katharine