[Weese]

Just wondering what are the normal tests run to moniter lupus? I get a yearly free blood draw at work, cbc, bmp, thyroid. that was done last may and will again be offered this may. recently had cbc, bmp jan 2nd for my pain doctor who is married to my rheumy, they share chart and office.

Is this the norm? seems like I see him every six months to just say hi :lol:
My symptoms, fatigue, joint pain and mild rash with sun exposure. I have a pretty mild case even though the pain dosent seem that way sometimes. I am on 200mg plaq twice daily. I am on other medications for pain, thyroid, blood pressure. Does anyone get yearly urine testing and if so is it just a urine, pee in the cup, or 24 hour collection?

I just want to make sure, I have no other family with lupus, had a co worker but she quit. she had milder symptoms than I do. Thanks, Lisa

 

[Clare.T]

Hello Lisa

Tests will include -
Full blood count
Sedimentation rate
Kidney and liver tests [creatinine, liver enzymes]
Tests for protein in urine
Antibodies to double stranded DNA - rising levels often predict a relapse
Complement proteins [C3d]



[From this site]



The urine test is dip stick, they only do the 24 hours if there are repeated abnormalities
My annuals also include anti cardiolipins and Lupus anti coagulant clotting tests, ANA and anti Ro since those are the ones I have or have had, as well I think the other antibodies like RNP. However the ds DNA is the only one that measures disease activity as far as I know. I get mine done at a large specialist centre so maybe that's why I get the full works. But anticardiolipins turned up once so they put me on 75mgs aspirin.

Also cholesterol if that isn't in the BMP.



That's all I can think of !
Clare

 

[Weese]

Thanks Clare, I am going to print this out and take with me so I dont forget to ask. Lisa

 

[peonyprincess]

Weese,

Every three months, my Rheumy has me come in two weeks prior to my scheduled visit, I go in for a series of lab draws and urine tests. I have a basis UA, a CMP, CBC/c diff, Mg, and ANA. I have also had a Hepatic Panel done, but that is only once a year. I have yet to have a 24 hour urine, but I figure sooner or later I'll get to do one of them....woo hoo.

As far as anyone else in my family having Lupus, well, I do get to claim that one. My youngest daughter was diagnosed with Lupus in 2006 after about a year of questions, etc. So far, we have been able to treat with Ibuprofen as well as naps, sunscreen and alot of understanding of the disease. She does take vitamins and she eats alot of fresh fruit and veggies and is not a big meat eater. Does this help in the disease process, who knows for sure, but so far everything we are doing is working. My oldest daughter who is 18, has had all sorts of leg and back problems for years. We had taken alot of xrays of her spine and her hips as well as her legs to no avail of anything unusual. Tests were run and they did come back and show a positive ANA but nothing else. By fluke, another doctor happened to be reviewing her xrays and found that she has two curves in her spine as well as one of her legs being slightly shorted than the other. With weekly trips to the chiropractor we are just hanging out. She got pregnant and as far as treatment, nothing really changed, that is until recently. She got up a few weeks ago and it has been found that she has the beautiful butterfly rash on her face. As of last night, it was still there, hidden under her makeup. She has a doctor appoinment this week and the doctor wants to run so more lab work and see where we are.

I would like to know how many people have that many family members with Lupus, then break it down into children.

I much would have rather my girls inherited my personality, good looks, etc from me, not my disease profile.



Nancy