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erin.K

Veteran Member

Joined : Mar 2005

Posts : 3148

Posted 4/6/2006 11:05 PM (GMT -7)

hey ya'll,

has anyone ever had or is familiar with these labs:

CO2 mine came out high @ 40

ALK PHOS 28 low

both are veinous samples.

not too concerned because i attribute it mostly to medication. or at least that is what i think. but if i were looking @ a pt's chart, i would think this person had some sort of metabolic acidosis going on.

my WBCs are low (but duh of course...)

my lymphocytes skyrocketed up to 83 (they usually hang around 60).

so if anyone here has better lab reading skills...i'de love to hear some feedback. anyone ever had the same/similar readings?

i'm swinging it past my rheummy tomorrow.

wish me luck! i'm pressing to start MTX. GI dude suggested i start MTX w/ the combo of the Imuran, Humira, 6mp and others first. wait 6 months and then move onto Remicade.

thanx in advance.

sincerely,

erin

Active, Severe RA. Crohns Disease. Chiari Malformation & Right Brain venous anomoly. AS. Emphysema. Rheumatic Lung. MVP and Tricuspid prolapse. Had Lymes disease for 10 years.

Meds: Humira 40mg every 4 days; pred; Pentasa; Imuran; dilaudid; diazepam; Avinza 30mg; MiraLax & too many others.

Post Edited (erin kachmar) : 4/7/2006 12:08:28 AM (GMT-6)

elcamino

Veteran Member

Joined : Sep 2005

Posts : 1744

Posted 4/7/2006 5:36 AM (GMT -7)

erin, I would vote, but I honestly have no idea what those numbers mean. I'm afraid I'm not very good at getting my lab values from the doctors and interpreting them. I'm sure that the medications you're on can affect your blood values--that's why you give blood every week or so, right? I really need to get more assertive about interpreting my labs. It's not that I don't trust my doctor, just that it's important that I understand what's going on too.

Elcamino

erin.K

Veteran Member

Joined : Mar 2005

Posts : 3148

Posted 4/7/2006 8:58 AM (GMT -7)

thanx elcamino:

the labs on the poll are geared towards immunosuppression.

when you go on say DMARDs & TNFs and all, the white blood cells (WBC) can drop.

also, the lymphocyte count (another form of white blood cells) may rise significantly [why they watch us for lymphoma/leukemia]. that part i understand.

so i just wanted to see how commonly this occurs.

but i really want to know about the CO2 & phosphate. that never came up before.

when i get strange readings back...i like to learn more if anything about it. so i hope my rheummy can answer my question! (without referring to a book!) LOL.

i like cells! they're cool.

i'm a geek! LOL.

erin

Active, Severe RA. Crohns Disease. Chiari Malformation & Right Brain venous anomoly. AS. Emphysema. Rheumatic Lung. MVP and Tricuspid prolapse. Had Lymes disease for 10 years.

Meds: Humira 40mg every 4 days; pred; Pentasa; Imuran; dilaudid; diazepam; Avinza 30mg; MiraLax & too many others.

Ducky

Veteran Member

Joined : Mar 2005

Posts : 3199

Posted 4/7/2006 3:32 PM (GMT -7)

Erin, I would love to help you out, but that stuff is greek to me.. sorry! :(

Diagnosed January 2005 - Psoriatic Arthritis/Spondylitis

-Currently taking 50mg shot weekly of Enbrel
Diagnosed May 1998 - Graves Disease
-Complete Thyroidectomy September 1998 - While 11 weeks pregnant
Other Complications - GERD/Scoliosis/Hiatal Hernia/Graves Disease of the Eyes

Current Meds - Enbrel/Prevacid/Synthroid

Past Meds - Inderal/PTU/Prednisone/Voltaren/Feldene/Mobic/Cortisone and Steroid Shots

CaMama

Veteran Member

Joined : Mar 2005

Posts : 1884

Posted 4/7/2006 8:54 PM (GMT -7)

Hi Erin, I don't know about all the stuff you mentioned, but I know for a few years now my WBC dropped considerably every time I felt "unwell" but not necessarily sick - that is why I was so shocked for it to fall in the normal range back in January when I came down with the flu the same exact day! My doc now is not doing the routine bloodwork on me anymore for me to know how it's been on a regular basis anymore.

I have some copied of labwork somewhere...if I come across it in the next couple of days (I can't find it at the moment) I will let you know what it says.

In the meantime, let US know what you find out! Take care!

erin.K

Veteran Member

Joined : Mar 2005

Posts : 3148

Posted 4/7/2006 11:03 PM (GMT -7)

ok, i'm cool.

turns out that this ALK PHOS is either bone or liver related. (he didn't even know postively!) hah! but he says that a low level is less dangerous than a high level. so this is just what i thought...medication related, most likely the DMARDs.

the CO2 he had no idea , but it will be repeated again. well gang...goes to show that even docs don't know everything all the time.

but that's ok....i wasn't worried. i just was more curious than anything.

soooooo, I AM UP TO 100 POUNDS!!!!!!

he was very happy about that....even though it is pred weight . he just hated to see an emaciated young lassie. so even if it's unhealthy water weight, at least it's something. my honey is ecstatic. he's been waiting a year for me to hit 3 digits.

i wish i felt better though! but no. some leg edema wich is painful. knees aren't happy. they're throbbin' away. as are elbows. andcan't sleep. rheummy thinks MTX is a good idea. but i would need birth control pills a month before starting this. have to talk with my honey this weekend about what we want. geesh...what do i say "hey it's now or never babe?" my boyfriend is older than i...so time is a little issue regarding childbearing.

in the meanwhile i'll continue the Imuran & increase, Humira still & he wrote a RX for more pred. yuck!

but he's really starting to show concern & wants me to get a remission. he knows i am still not able to work & i told him i want to be at least 30 percent better come september and WILL DO ANYTHING!

so i'll give it till June....and then add the MTX. or sooner if i wish, i just have to tell him when.

getting my knees injected next week.

oh what a struggle. hang in there everybody. this seems like this never ends!

Active, Severe RA. Crohns Disease. Chiari Malformation & Right Brain venous anomoly. AS. Emphysema. Rheumatic Lung. MVP and Tricuspid prolapse. Had Lymes disease for 10 years.

Meds: Humira 40mg every 4 days; pred; Pentasa; Imuran; dilaudid; diazepam; Avinza 30mg; MiraLax & too many others.

Post Edited (erin kachmar) : 4/8/2006 10:46:02 AM (GMT-6)

CaMama

Veteran Member

Joined : Mar 2005

Posts : 1884

Posted 4/8/2006 7:30 AM (GMT -7)

Erin, if your liver is starting to get affected by the meds, watch out on birth control selection. I'm in that pickle right now. I had to stop taking the pill because with everything else, my liver was going nuts (those hormones can do a number on it as well.) After a 15 months and 2 or 3 scares, I've got to decide on what to do at this point - I cannot go on like this and want to get back on something, though PCP doesn't recommend it, I want to talk to the gyno and see what she recommends.

Don't forget mtx can affect your liver as well.

Congrats on the 3-digits, maybe you'll be lucky and it'll stay on long enough that when the water/swelling goes down you'll have packed on actual pounds.

Feel better soon.

***

erin.K

Veteran Member

Joined : Mar 2005

Posts : 3148

Posted 4/8/2006 9:56 AM (GMT -7)

oh it was so comfortable talking about SEX with my rheummy. yeah right! God it was embarrassing! he's like, "are you on birth control?" and i said, "yes...NHL Hockey season on MSG." LOL. he said, "are you trying to get pregnant?" i said "no" ...."are you trying to prevent pregnancy?".....i said "no".

so we're neither actively trying nor preventing!

i know however, i do not do well on BCP's. i get bad swelling, difficulty breathing, nausea/vommiting, calf edema and blood pressure problems.

so at least i have time to make a decision.

gosh, i had no idea how intricate this could get.

well gang...thank you for all your thoughts & concerns & for listening.

thank you

erin

Active, Severe RA. Crohns Disease. Chiari Malformation & Right Brain venous anomoly. AS. Emphysema. Rheumatic Lung. MVP and Tricuspid prolapse. Had Lymes disease for 10 years.

Meds: Humira 40mg every 4 days; pred; Pentasa; Imuran; dilaudid; diazepam; Avinza 30mg; MiraLax & too many others.

bromark

Veteran Member

Joined : Oct 2005

Posts : 600

Posted 4/10/2006 11:08 PM (GMT -7)

Erin
I have been tested for Alk phosphatase and CO2. If Alk phos is the same thing It is in my results listed as Bone Specific Alk. Phosphatate. the normal ranes given with my results are as follows.
premenopausal Female 4.5 - 16.9 ug/l
postmenopausal Female 7.0 - 22.4 ug/l
Male 25 or older 6.5 - 20.1 ug/l

CO2 normal ranges are 22 - 30 MEQ/l

This is all information you probably already have but I thought I would share incase you didn't. I am normal in both areas but I would still be courious about why I was tested for these so if you get more information plase share.

Mark

We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give.
Sir Winston Churchil

A cheerful heart is good medicine,

but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Proverbs 17:22

erin.K

Veteran Member

Joined : Mar 2005

Posts : 3148

Posted 4/11/2006 8:59 AM (GMT -7)

hi Mark & thank you so much.

will do...if i get any information regarding the tests from my PCP or rheummy...or if the labs keep going out of range, i'll let you know. i'm curious too.

take care,

erin

ps...i've read several of your posts and you are such a great source of support & inspiration. especially in the way you guide people.

Active, Severe RA. Crohns Disease. Chiari Malformation & Right Brain venous anomoly. AS. Emphysema. Rheumatic Lung. MVP and Tricuspid prolapse. Had Lymes disease for 10 years.

Meds: Humira 40mg every 4 days; pred; Pentasa; Imuran; dilaudid; diazepam; Avinza 30mg; MiraLax & too many others.

Howlyncat

Elite Member

Joined : Jan 2005

Posts : 24909

Posted 4/12/2006 4:11 AM (GMT -7)

Hi Erin.....just a note about the methotrexate........Make sure Liver function is checked once monthly hun it is highly toxic..But it has so far done its job for me ......Good luck hope things go the best for you ....and if you want the baby go for it lol..or at least have fun trying for it right ....had hysterectomy so I cant have no more have a 32 yr old who is less mature than my teen daughter .....hmmmmmm.......you take care of Erin too please ......God Bless....Lyn

Contribute today to support Healing Well Forums...Donate @

https://www.healingwell.com/donate/

..Let that strong Spirit of yours be your guide...

A Real Friend .....walks in when the rest of the World walks

Out

Let us be grateful to people who make us happy,they are the charming gardens that make souls bloom.........Lyn

erin.K

Veteran Member

Joined : Mar 2005

Posts : 3148

Posted 4/12/2006 3:25 PM (GMT -7)

oh geez! go for it???!!!! thank you. i'm glad i have a cheering squad. me & my honey are in the serious talks about what's best regarding should i/shouldn't i go on the MTX. are children in the near future? so we've a little figuring out to do in regards to timing. it's a little complicated.

the docs have basically given me a choice of starting the Remicade or adding MTX to my current combo.

thanx for the heads up on the liver function panels. i get them done currently every 3 weeks already.

and even before attempting to carry a pregnancy i have to get a whole lot better than what i am now. would be nice though. will be having fun either way nonetheless! LOL.

take care.

erin

Active, Severe RA. Crohns Disease. Chiari Malformation & Right Brain venous anomoly. AS. Emphysema. Rheumatic Lung. MVP and Tricuspid prolapse. Had Lymes disease for 10 years.

Meds: Humira 40mg every 4 days; pred; Pentasa; Imuran; dilaudid; diazepam; Avinza 30mg; MiraLax & too many others.

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