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peachyhugsgina
03-03-2010, 10:08 AM
Today, I had my CT scan with and without contrast. The tech gave me a disc of my CT scan, and it appears that I have small little dots all around my lungs. I don't have the results, just the disc, and, of course, I have no earthly idea what I am looking at, other than I do recognize lungs, stomach, intestines, ribs, and etc.. I will keep you posted on what I find out on Friday when my rheumatologist gets the report from the radiologist. I also am going to call her office and bug them about my referral to the Weg's specialist at UAB.
Thanks for all your replies, and help. I will keep plugging until I get some answers to my symptoms and blood tests results.
Take care
Peachy hugs,
Gina

Sangye
03-03-2010, 10:27 AM
Gina, without seeing the CT it's impossible to know what the dots are, but I thought I'd share that it can represent normal lung tissue. If you look at a blood vessel on end (like looking into a tube) it would look like a dot. I'm not saying that's what it is, but it's one possibility.

If it were blood clots, the CT tech would have kept you and called your doc to come over immediately. That little scenario happened to me.

elephant
03-03-2010, 12:46 PM
Gina, hang in there...Friday is coming soon. Hope things turn out good for you soon. Glad you are being persistent. :)

peachyhugsgina
03-07-2010, 02:40 AM
I didnt see the rheumy on Friday, but my asthma doctor did call to tell me that the CT scan was normal.. so that was great news. I didn't see the rheumy on Friday as I have another upper respiratory infection and am again on antibiotics, so couldn't get the methotrexate this week or next week, have to be off antibiotics, and afebrile for a week.
Take care
Peachy hugs,
Gina

JanW
03-07-2010, 02:57 AM
Good news on the CT scan, Gina!

elephant
03-07-2010, 02:59 AM
Good news Gina! Rest well, hope your better real soon. :)

Sangye
03-07-2010, 03:07 AM
Great news about the CT!

I'm a bit concerned about the URI, though. It could be Wegs in disguise. Many of us have been in that same situation-- if it's infection the immune-suppressants are a no-no, but if it's Wegs the immuno-suppressants are the very thing you need. Give it a few days. If it isn't responding nicely to the antibiotics, call your rheumy.

Brooke
03-09-2010, 09:18 AM
Good news about the ct scan :)
Sangye - if a person with wegs gets an infection and needs antibiotics, are you saying they shouldn't take their immune-suppressants? For example - methotrexate.

Sangye
03-09-2010, 10:07 AM
Sangye - if a person with wegs gets an infection and needs antibiotics, are you saying they shouldn't take their immune-suppressants? For example - methotrexate.
No!!! Only your Wegs doc can make that decision. With some drugs you have to skip a dose to kick an infection. With other drugs you don't want to miss a dose because it takes time to build it back up again. Please never make this decision yourself and never let a non-Wegs doc do it, either.

I have made these mistakes-- stopped drugs on my own and let non-Wegs docs stop them or change the dose.

Brooke
03-10-2010, 01:03 AM
Thanks Sangye, no I would never stop or add a medication on my own.

Sangye
03-10-2010, 10:28 AM
Okay, just wanted to be clear with everyone! :D

peachyhugsgina
03-12-2010, 12:19 PM
I am having some issues with lower extremity edema, 4 plus pitting edema, and rapid weight gain as a result.. 15 pounds in less than a week. The pcp started me on a mild diuretic, which isn't removing fluid, but is lowering my blood pressure a great deal. I have a fairly low blood pressure anyway. I saw the cardiologist last Monday,and will be having a persantine-thallium stress test, and echo this Monday. I was able to get the mtx this week, even though I am on antibiotics for the URI. I am still wheezing on the right side, and have a mildly productive cough now. I am still waiting on the referral to go to the Weg's specialist at UAB.. guess I am going to have to call the scheduler and ask what is going on next week.. my rheumy isn't in the office on Fridays.
I have felt pretty fatigued the past couple days, and been quite nauseated as well since getting my last mtx shot. I am going to call it a night, and go to bed.. slept most of the afternoon, but still very tired, and dopey.
Take care..
Peachy hugs,
Gina

Sangye
03-12-2010, 12:21 PM
Gina-- go to the ER immediately. That sounds like classic kidney failure.

peachyhugsgina
03-12-2010, 12:30 PM
Sangye, My kidney blood tests are perfectly normal, as is my liver function tests, and my blood counts. I had an abnormal EKG, the pcp heard a loud murmur, and I was in sinus bradycardia. I think the cardiologist said I had a right bundle branch block on the EKG and that is why he wants more tests.. can't edema be a sign of cardiac problems as well.? I also thought some medications could cause swelling. I don't feel really bad, just majorly overly fatigued and achy . I just need to go to bed and sleep. Thanks
Take care

elephant
03-12-2010, 12:35 PM
Gina, need to go to the emergency room. Go now.

Sangye
03-12-2010, 12:35 PM
Yes, a right bundle branch block can cause all those symptoms. (Other heart conditions can, too)

Does your cardiologist know you've gained 15 lbs in less than a week and have a productive cough, etc...? This indicates your heart is not pumping adequately and fluid is backing up into your lungs. You must get the fluid off. You need to go to the ER tonight. This is an urgent problem that can't wait until next week, or even until tomorrow.

JanW
03-12-2010, 12:37 PM
I was coming in to say the same thing....I didn't know if the edema would indicate a kidney problem also...others with that involvement would know better.

Gina, ER...seriously. 15 lbs in a week is nothing to play around with and I know people can have a lot of fluid on the lungs and not know. What does your cough produce...clear thin mucous? Get to the ER.

peachyhugsgina
03-13-2010, 01:06 AM
I have been very fatigued for the past few days, way more than usual, and slept a lot. The edema has gone way done, not completely gone, and my weight has decreased by 12 pounds overnight. I see the cardiologist again on Monday, and will definitely make him aware that I had a large weight gain in a short time with the edema. Thanks for all your concerns. I am still feeling lousy, and will spend today resting.
Take care

Sangye
03-13-2010, 01:21 AM
Gina, I'm glad you got that much fluid off so quickly. You must have been in the bathroom non-stop. I still believe a trip to the ER today is in order. The stress to your heart and lungs is incredible, and the underlying cause has not even been addressed. Your fatigue can be the result of insufficient heart function.

At the very least, I suggest calling your cardiologist this morning. Waiting until next week is seriously risking your life.

Also, I'm assuming you're taking lasix (furosemide) as a diuretic? Did your doc give you potassium to take with it? Lasix pulls potassium out of you and that can cause serious problems-- heart, blackouts, etc....

Lightwarrior
03-13-2010, 02:10 AM
I concur with the group, Gina you need to be seen immediately, putting on 15 pounds in a week and taking off 12 in a day is not normal. The fluid shifts that are occuring can be deadly. GO NOW

jola57
03-13-2010, 02:45 AM
Gina, how knowlegable are you about your state? I know that you are experiencing heart failure symptoms but a trip to the ER is not going to accomplish anything more than a long wait in the waiting room and being exposed to more germs than necessary and in your condition that is not advisable. You are being treated for your symptoms already and I am sure your doc knows what and when to do it and has advised you on what to watch out for. Most likely in the ER they will look at you maybe give you some meds (which may cause more harm because they don't know your history) and tell you to see a cardiologist. Should you feel any chest tightness or arm pain, yes go definitely to the ER. If at any time you feel totaly out of sorts, same, go to the ER.

elephant
03-13-2010, 04:23 AM
Gina, I hope you called your Cardiologist, Rheumatologist or Primary doctor. From my experience they would have you hooked up in a cardiac unit and checking how much you drank and how much you urinate. They would be doing labs often....ect.....You need to be monitored.