Overcoming a flare?

[MCC]

Hi,
I wondered if anyone has been able to recover from a flare without going back on medication? I have a positive ANCA and my doctor is saying I may need to go back on medication (been off totally for 6 weeks), but if there's the possibility it could go back to normal by itself I would rather not go onto medication again.

I feel ok, not ill. Have a headache and slight stuffy nose but I have had a very heavy weekend work wise si it could be that. Doctor is just waiting on my next blood test results.

Also, she says she doesn't believe stress is a trigger, but I'm sure studies say otherwise?

[Al]

Hi,
I wondered if anyone has been able to recover from a flare without going back on medication? I have a positive ANCA and my doctor is saying I may need to go back on medication (been off totally for 6 weeks), but if there's the possibility it could go back to normal by itself I would rather not go onto medication again.

I feel ok, not ill. Have a headache and slight stuffy nose but I have had a very heavy weekend work wise si it could be that. Doctor is just waiting on my next blood test results.

Also, she says she doesn't believe stress is a trigger, but I'm sure studies say otherwise?

Well, the answer to your question about the meds is a big "maybe". Here is what happens: ANCA may be present, and in growing numbers, but this does not mean that you have an active inflammation. For that to happen, two additional things must occur: Your immune system produces more antigens--either MPO or PR-3 (it does this for reasons poorly understood), and it generates massive numbers of cytokines, which are chemical messengers. Cytokines are usually produced in mass quantities during an infection. Stress itself probably does not have a direct impact as a "trigger", but it can, and often does, compromise the immune system to the point that infections are more likely to occur. I doubt that the ANCA titer will decrease on its own, at least in the short term. Does this help?

Al

[MCC]

Yes thanks Al. I have a new doctor, I don't think she's an expert and I don't want to be pushed into going back onto medication just because of the ANCA result. I'll see what else she says.

Actually I realise I do feel ill for the first time in a long time, which started yesterday. As said, not terrible but a little ill, I'm finding it hard to concentrate. Perhaps it's just knowing there might be something wrong though.

[Al]

Yes thanks Al. I have a new doctor, I don't think she's an expert and I don't want to be pushed into going back onto medication just because of the ANCA result. I'll see what else she says.

Actually I realise I do feel ill for the first time in a long time, which started yesterday. As said, not terrible but a little ill, I'm finding it hard to concentrate. Perhaps it's just knowing there might be something wrong though.

Could be "simply" stress. or worry. But keep an eye on it. What were your original symptoms? And your history? You probably should check inflammation markers now and then: sed rate, CRP, creatinine clearance. And, of course, any overt signs, like coughing up blood and blood in the urine are unmistakable.

You may have have to educate your doctor (some will resist, but the good ones are amenable), or, if it is feasible, get a referral to a Wegs specialist.

Al

[maria garcia]

Al , my daughter was positive for P anca but always the sed rate and crp normal. Her eyes and nose did have inflammation but the test for infl. were negative. She has also had P anca positive and MPO negative and vise versa MPO positive and Anca negative and of course also both positive.

[annekat]

Also, she says she doesn't believe stress is a trigger, but I'm sure studies say otherwise?

I think a lot of us would disagree with THAT statement! I haven't known much about WG for very long, but I know that when I get stressed out, my symptoms increase and I feel worse!

Anne

[pberggren1]

Al , my daughter was positive for P anca but always the sed rate and crp normal. Her eyes and nose did have inflammation but the test for infl. were negative. She has also had P anca positive and MPO negative and vise versa MPO positive and Anca negative and of course also both positive.

Ines, I have a feeling you are trying to say that her P and C ANCA are positive and negative like this. MPO is basically P-ANCA and if one is positive then the other will be as well. The P-ANCA is a screening. If it shows positive then they measure to see how much MPO is in there.

[Sangye]

I can't count how many people in this group have mentioned that their Wegs began or flared as a result of intense stress, such as a death in the family. Chronic high stress is also a killer.

[Al]

I can't count how many people in this group have mentioned that their Wegs began or flared as a result of intense stress, such as a death in the family. Chronic high stress is also a killer.

In my case, I believe stress led to shingles, which I suspect brought on the flare.

Al

[annekat]

I can't count how many people in this group have mentioned that their Wegs began or flared as a result of intense stress, such as a death in the family. Chronic high stress is also a killer.

I was diagnosed three weeks after my dad died. Of course, I was already sick, but when it really hit me hard was at that point.