[feelingoff]

Hello,

I saw a Rheumy a few days ago and they took 12 viles of blood. As the phlebotomist joked pulling the viles out and counting them, I started to get dizzy thinking about all that blood. It went fast

I had seen another Rheumy who blew me off and had a room full of seniors, I think I was his youngest patient and he totally blew me off and said I dont think its anything I can help you with.

But the new one was very pleasant. I am curious what exactly are they looking for, what types of blood tests? I would imagine my current visit will be more thorough blood work as the last guy I think they took just a few viles.

Thanks for your input

 

[feelingoff]

p.s. he also ordered an EKG, anyone know why?

 

[Clare.T]

Hello

They are looking for heart problems with the EKG. See

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/ekg/ekg_what.html

You got off lightly with only 12 vials - at my annual check up they take 15!.
They are looking for all sorts of abnormalities. See the lists of usual blood tests on the information section of the site.
http://www.uklupus.co.uk/tests.html

I hope you have struck lucky with this rheumatologist. Many don't know anything worth knowing about lupus.
In fact it has been suggested that before making an appointment, visit the waiting room to see how many old people are there. In my lupus specialist's waiting room everybody seems much younger than me. Not that that's very hard. Hehe

Best of luck !
Clare

 

[Maia]

At most of my return follow up appointments, I only get 3 vials drawn I'm either really lucky or not being followed up fully I guess! I think... at my first appointment I had maybe 6 vials taken. They didn't test for everything though, and later I had to ask them to test for anticardiolipins in particular.

It certainly sounds as if you have found a very thorough doctor. Hopefully one that will also be open to treating symptoms if nothing particularly telling appears from all that bloodwork. Let us know how it all turns out - you should be able to get a copy of the results and then you'll know what all was tested for. Do you have to wait long to find out?

 

[greenhaggis]

Before Christmas I had 10 viles taken followed a month later by 3 more(for completely different tests)!

It does really depend on what needs to be tested and how much blood required for each test!

It does sound like they are being thorough!

Let us know what you have been tested for if you find out!

Lesley

 

[Clare.T]

It's a good idea to make a note of what they are testing and also get a copy of the results and learn to have an idea of what they might mean. That way you can inform yourself about the disease and how it is affecting you. You can check that all the right tests have been done and will be able to better discuss your case with your doctors.



Clare

 

[feelingoff]

Thank you so much everyone.

I've got a mixed bag of things going on, the worst is the thinning out of my scalp though. I have the blue feet seems all the time they have a blue hue when I am sitting, I am fatigued get headaches achy joints and muscle, malaise, foggy thinking, numbness etc.

I dont know if these tests will show anything but I am so glad to have gotten in to see him. I was trying to read up on all the testing but gosh there are so many immune disorders.

I hope to get the results back in a week or so I would imagine and I will let you know . I go in for th EKG on Wed. I am not sure as to why he is looking at the heart but I must admit I am concerned and have had some chest pains just thinking about it.

Thank you again for your input as always

 

[Karly1964]

In the past 6 months I have had two EKG's and an echocardiogram and a heart catherization,, the doctors check your heart because it is one organ that can be affected by lupus, but some want a sort of history of how your heart is acting so later on if trouble comes up they can see the changes. So don't, well try not to read a whole lot into it before they tell you anything sometimes it is for history so they can more readily see changes and treat you better. I had 17 vials and a urine test, I think with a large amount of blood taken we should get cookies and juice! (((HUGS)))

 

[feelingoff]

LOL I think we should get some juice too - I felt alittle lighter when I left the office. fortunatly though in two years i've had so much blood tested and my vein is so good it goes fast.

I will keep you updated. I get the EKG this Wed.

Again, thank you so much everyone, I am really scared - but I know I will make it through.

 

[greenhaggis]

I always get told to go to the cafe and gets cookies and a sugery drink before I even contemplate driving home - have to buy it as not covered by NHS!!!:lol:

Lesley