LilyPony
03-09-2010, 02:18 PM
Per my big plan, I made an appointment at one of the GP clinics associated with the hospital that has a vasculitis department (that was a 3-6 month wait for appointments). I had a 9:00 appointment with new GP today, who reviewed all the records I have, recent bloodwork, etc. I was immediately sent for a new chest xray since I wasn't able to bring that. I now have 3 rib fractures from recent coughing, as opposed to one fracture on the last xray, but lungs still look fiine.
Magic was pulled and they had me in the vasculitis department at 2:30. I saw a young, new doctor who is part of the department but all cases are reviewed by the entire team so that was fine for an impromptu visit. Various bloodwork that was already done (sed rate, anca, something else) came back as not quite right, but not indicative of an active flare by any means. They will be monitoring this closely.
Yes Jack and y'all, I know you've all hear this before, BUT she thinks there is a strong possibility that I have asthma. Not adult onset, but something that I've had all along. I am having a harder time exhaling than inhaling, which is apparently more consistent with asthma. My flow (i think that's what it was called) was on the slow end of normal. I am getting a chest MRI to check for various wegs signs and complications and a follow up with pulmonologist if any significant results. I've started on Singulair to see what happens with that.
She was somewhat concerned with the bruised appearance of the eyelid on the wegs eye, but really didn't know what to make of it because it's surrounded by normal skin - will be discussed and next steps figured out.
And the joint pain, she thinks it's more consistent with fibromyalgia. I have pain in various key places when they are pressed. She said it's very common for fibro to coexist with any other autoimmune disorder. If I can get some good night's sleep and get my butt moving again, I should begin to see an improvement in my discomfort. If it's wegs related, it won't ease with sleep.
So, I was sent home today with instructions to take the singulair plus another coughing medicine (forgot the name) and I am to return next week. If anything changes for the worse, I need to call and will be seen ASAP. I also have some meds to help me sleep and something to ease the horrid rib pain I'm obviously having.
I may be trying to be overly optimistic but feel like I was finally handled by competent people today and hope to get to the bottom of it soon!
Magic was pulled and they had me in the vasculitis department at 2:30. I saw a young, new doctor who is part of the department but all cases are reviewed by the entire team so that was fine for an impromptu visit. Various bloodwork that was already done (sed rate, anca, something else) came back as not quite right, but not indicative of an active flare by any means. They will be monitoring this closely.
Yes Jack and y'all, I know you've all hear this before, BUT she thinks there is a strong possibility that I have asthma. Not adult onset, but something that I've had all along. I am having a harder time exhaling than inhaling, which is apparently more consistent with asthma. My flow (i think that's what it was called) was on the slow end of normal. I am getting a chest MRI to check for various wegs signs and complications and a follow up with pulmonologist if any significant results. I've started on Singulair to see what happens with that.
She was somewhat concerned with the bruised appearance of the eyelid on the wegs eye, but really didn't know what to make of it because it's surrounded by normal skin - will be discussed and next steps figured out.
And the joint pain, she thinks it's more consistent with fibromyalgia. I have pain in various key places when they are pressed. She said it's very common for fibro to coexist with any other autoimmune disorder. If I can get some good night's sleep and get my butt moving again, I should begin to see an improvement in my discomfort. If it's wegs related, it won't ease with sleep.
So, I was sent home today with instructions to take the singulair plus another coughing medicine (forgot the name) and I am to return next week. If anything changes for the worse, I need to call and will be seen ASAP. I also have some meds to help me sleep and something to ease the horrid rib pain I'm obviously having.
I may be trying to be overly optimistic but feel like I was finally handled by competent people today and hope to get to the bottom of it soon!