Immunologist visit today

[andrew]

Had my regular checkup today with the Immunologist. Nailed everything for the first time since diagnosis in 2003.

Sodium levels are low (have been worried about this one but not related to the WG)
Creatinine is normal for the second quarterly visit in a row
Cholestorol went from 8.7 (v.high) to 4.2 (normal)
FBC is fine
BP was normal, for me (first time)
ANCA hasn't come in yet. That was up last time but I'm hoping she comes way down this time! Will have the results next week.

[Sangye]

YIPPEE!!! That's great news, Andrew.

Very glad to hear your cholesterol and bp are both normal. Now we don't have to worry about you 'splodin' everywhere and making a mess....

[elephant]

Yea! Grrrrrrreat news! How did you get your cholesterol down? Mine is very high, I refused the cholesterol med because I don't need another side effect. My HDL is 90, my LDL is .

[Sangye]

Elephant, what are your triglycerides? Fasting glucose? That's a better predictor of heart disease trouble. You're right to refuse the cholesterol meds-- they're very tough on the liver and don't address the problem. High LDL in isolation does not correlate to heart disease. High triglycerides do.

[elephant]

Sangye, I can't recall the triglycerides, but they were really good. My Ratio was good, just the LDL was - close to 190. Total was close to 290. I also recently had a ct of my arteries to see if there was any calcium deposit ( forgot what the test is called, insurance doesn't pay for it) and that came out good, I think it was zero. I do exercise, so I think that has to do with the high HDL. My Grandfather had four heart attacks and died of an aorta anerysum (sp). So that is the only one in the whole family who had cardiovascular disease. I'm just interested in how other people have brought down there cholesterol. Thanks Sangye for the input that makes me feel better about my decision.

[andrew]

LOL @ Sangye. I wouldn't have 'sploded everywhere. I have a pressure release valve

I've been on a cholestorol med (Lipitor) forever and it has been high every time it was checked. Since I started a more strenuous exercise regime with a trainer and fixed my die things have started to come good.

[elephant]

Andrew, glad the lipitor works for you. You mentioned that your sodium is down, it could be from exercising (sweating alot). When I was on high doses of prednisone this summer my sodium and potassium went way down secondary from sweating alot. I guess our medicines can affect our electrolytes too. Exercising is great for the body and mind!

[katwoman]

Thats awesome news Andrew, hope you keep traveling well!

[onatreetop]

Congrads!!! Nice report card!! Good to hear things are okay and looking up.

[coffeelover]

So Happy for you Andrew.

I know my rhuemy is concerned about my rising Anca scores too. What does this indicate anyway? There is concern, yet, not concern regarding this?
LIsa