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andrew
07-09-2008, 05:01 PM
Hi hi...
Just had my quarterly Immunologist appointment. The results:


BP is actually LOW for the first time in my life (104/80).
Creatinine is 116 which is normal for me
Other bloods are in normal range....for me
I'm being booked in for a lung function test


I explained how I can't get a lungfull of air when I exercise or walk up several flights of stairs. This isn't normal 'running out of breath', it's something else. It's like one of my lungs is taken away and I have to try and survive on one. It's quite scary actually when it gets severe. I'm calling to book the test tomorrow. They should be able to fit me in in about two or three weeks.

I'm staggered about my BP being low. I reckon his machine was broken :D I have my own so I'm going to keep an eye on it myself. If it continues to be low then he's going to adjust my BP meds a bit.

My ANCA level wasn't in. it takes about a week and I only got my bloods done on Monday. What can I say? I'm disorganised :D

Other than that, I'm fit and healthy and will live until I'm 100 at least. I hope I do. Maybe that'll give me enough time to do all the things I want to do!

capabayan
07-10-2008, 12:53 AM
The whole lung thing... that's what it felt like when my trachea started closing up. Have you had any sort of stenosis problems before?

andrew
07-10-2008, 05:47 AM
Nope - no stenosis issues previously. Interesting point though. Might discuss this with the doc. He's going to call next week with my ANCA results.

andrew
07-14-2008, 07:42 PM
I just realised why my BP was so low. The doc tested my BP on my left arm. For some reason, that has always been dodgy when it comes to getting Blood Pressure checked or getting blood tests.

I tested myself with the kit I have at home last night and it's back to a more respectable 154/81. Heh :) Now I feel better!

RCOSSIO
07-15-2008, 10:42 AM
whoa 154...is that normal for U! seems somewhat high is that due to your meds?

122/78 for me hopefully it does not rise!

by the way! do they use a big cuff when checking your BP...i know the small cuff gives me a higher reading!!!

andrew
07-15-2008, 11:59 AM
Yeah it's about normal. My aim is 140/70. Despite my BP meds it remains a tad high though. I must admit that I need to look after myself more and get more exercise. I need to stay sharp these days with working and running a business at the same time :)

RCOSSIO
07-16-2008, 09:25 AM
you're right Andrew...

Once you get to your goal and off your meds...and sometime in 5 years when my wife and I visit Australia, we will sit down and drink plenty of cold Fosters to raise our BP to 200 and praise the lord....whhooohoooo!

That's is living in the NOW!

andrew
07-16-2008, 06:43 PM
Mate, I'll start chilling the beer tonight :-)

debbie
07-18-2008, 12:45 PM
When I first went for lung tests for my breathing problems, I was asked if I had problems breathing when I took a breath in or when I released the breath. My problem was taking the breath in, which was their first indication of stenosis and after further testing my actual lungs are okay, it was the upper airway that was the problem.

andrew
07-18-2008, 04:44 PM
Hmmm..thanks for the info. From what I'm reading, it could indeed be the case. My test is in a couple of weeks with results a few days after that. At least then I'll have somethnig conclusive (hopefully!).

Terri
08-04-2008, 12:37 PM
Hi Andrew,
Hope everything turns out well for you.
I had check-up last week and am now down to 5mg Prednisone and not sure if I'll get to stay on Imuran. I've been on 100mg since April but my last blood work showed TPMT level was low at 10.7. Does anyone know anything about that? It was a new test that I'm not familiar with. I've been seeing two Dr.s which may be a problem because there are some conflicts between them.
It's like two cooks using the same pot and we all know what that can do.
ha,ha.....not a good thing:eek:
A cat scan of my lung showed no nodules and the only scarring was where I had biopsy, so I was happy about that.
I'm having more blood work done to be sure about this TPMT. I guess it tells you about the liver and whether it is being poisoned or not but I don't know what the normal numbers are. If anyone knows, please let me know.
Thanks! :) Sincerely, Terri

andrew
08-04-2008, 07:24 PM
From what I read, TPMT seems a bit like shutting the gate after the horse has bolted. It could however be just checking how you're going on the Imuran.

See: Thiopurine methyltransferase - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thiopurine_methyltransferase)

And for a less 'wordy' description: TPMT: At a Glance (http://www.labtestsonline.org.uk/understanding/analytes/tpmt/glance.html)

jola57
08-05-2008, 04:40 AM
Hi, I just had an xray which showed lesions so off to pulmonologist I go. My rheumy refused to get me back to cyclo ( 4 weeks ago I finished 6 months therapy) until I know whats in my lungs - I would have thought that it was simple - the granulomas are there - duh. I am a bit scared as I am spitting up clood clots and there is moderate blood in urine. I've had WG for almost 2 years but had no lung or kidney involvment so I am a bit scared and wish that the docs put me back on cylo or start meta ASAP. Any thoughts. My anca is high over 200, crp about 9 but everything else seems ok. Thanks Andrew for getting this group together it is so helpful and encouraging to hear eacho thers stories. Gratefuly
Jolanta:eek:

andrew
08-09-2008, 06:43 PM
How are you doing? Has the doc come back with a course of treatment yet?

I haven't had this happen to me but it sure would be scary.

Keep us updated.

Trish
08-16-2008, 01:57 PM
Hi Andrew
I havent been on site for a while, hope things are better for you. Like you I was running our of air and went on like this for a year, the last couple of months were the worse. Eventually having to have a tracheotomy. My lungs as far as I know from my last CT scan are fine, my blood pressure was always excellent but just couldnt breath. I used to complain to the doctor on his rounds when I was having my IV cyclo but by the time he came round to see me I had been lying on a bed for 4 hours with my IV so I think he must have thought I was over exagerating. I was always seen by an intern prior to being pluged in, who would ask me the same questions every month but they never seemed to be worried about the breathing. I used to wish they would walk with me up the corridor to see just how bad I was. Im not copeing with the trachey very well, I hate it, so hope things dont progress as badly for you. If anyone else has a trachey Id love to hear if there have any tips on making it better. Presently I cough consantly and have to clean the tube around 20 to 30 times a day, depending on how physical I am. It doesnt take much just a quick step from the car to the office and I have to clean it. Sleeping, lying down siting in some positions are all difficult and have to be done cautiously as it can get knocked and starts bleeding which means more cleaning. Its been 2 months now and I keep thinking its got to get better as I have another 10 months at least!!!!
Sorry for being such a moaner today. I know there are a lot of people worse off than me, but sometimes you just need to be able to moan about it to someone who knows what its like. I guess I put a brave face on to friends as I know having someone moaning and complaining all the time can bring others down so I tend to keep it all bottled up.

Regards
Trish