Immunologist visit today

[Jack]

ANCA used to be considered as THE indicator of Wegener's activity and many doctors still live with this belief, but if you ask any Wegener's patient they will tell you that the link is a bit more tenuous. My own blood tests always show that I am ANCA +ve even though I have no symptoms (of Wegener's) and it seems from my specialists that the more research they do into the subject, the more they realise that they don't fully understand it.

[Doug]

That's pretty much my experience, too, Jack. I think the go by how you feel method is perhaps "unscientific", but what does science know about feeling good?

[Sangye]

Non-Wegs specialists still think the ANCA is accurate. The research is pretty recent, though, so unless someone is in the field they wouldn't know. The Wegs specialists basically only use the ANCA for initial diagnosis.

[andrew]

Rising ANCA doesn't seem to be a huge concern for my Doc at this point. Last time he put it down to the fact I'd been sick just previous although it had been slowly creeping up before. If it gets much higher than last time he'll probably bump up my Immuran a smidge. I've a feeling it'll be back down again this time though. Results come through next week some time. I'm feeling fine an my symptoms are not acting up any more than usual so I'm confident of a good result.

If you're anything like me, there's a 'tolerable' range of ANCA that your doc will live with (as will you LOL) but should it break the 'ceiling', you'll get to have more yummy juicy pills. I guess it also goes on how we feel and how our other bloods are looking. A combination of factors I suppose will alert a good doc.

[DISNEYLADY]

Great for you, andrew!!! It takes a lot of work but it pays off. I'm still trying to get charlie in to the rummy and haven't found an immul. Yet. After the first of the yeaar mayo will take our ins. As he was told our system is going back to what we had, medicare and blue cross blue shield and each will be seperate and not combined as it is now. He is doing ok. I lowered my chol. Be eating oatmeal about 4 times a week and taking centrum cardio vitamins and drinking soymilk.
Keep going andrew!!!!!!!