Some tests results back and I'm afraid

[Sonya]

I just went in for my yearly exam at the Dr and they called today and said my CRP (C-reactive protein cardiac) came back high. It should be a 1 or 2 and mine was an 18. I guess this means I'm at risk for a heart attack. I am really freaked out!
Also my test marker for lupus came back positive. I don't know if this means I have it or another inflamatory condition.
I'm so afraid. Can anyone give me words of encouragement?

 

[birdiesunshine]

Keep your chin up!!!! Once the Drs. explain exactly what's going on and what they are gonna do to keep you healthy, I'm sure you will feel much better. All I know about Lupus is that a lot of people have it and go on to lead normal, happy and healthy lives. Stay positive!!! I am sending pixie dust to you anyway!!

 

[scarlett873]

i had a seizure for the first time in my life a few months ago. it was very scary not knowing how and why it had happened. they ran every test imaginable on me...even a lupus detection test. the only thing that came from that was an elevated ANA count. i went to a rheumotologist and they found not a single solitary thing wrong with me!

hang in there!

 

[DoeWDW]

I don't think you have cause to panic just yet. Take a deep breath and count all your blessings first. Try to relax your mind.

Very few tests are 100% accurate, so please take the first results with a grain of salt. There are things you can do to lower your risk of heart disease - eat healthy and exercise are good places to start. You can start doing those things today! Exercise releases endorphins, which are stress-busting feel-good hormones, into your body and you could use them. A half hour brisk walk might do you a world of good.

Do you have another appointment with your doctor? How soon? I know he/she will have some other ideas of things you can do to help yourself. If you were in immediate danger, they'd be sending you to the hospital immediately so if your appointment is in a few days or weeks, there's no need to worry too much.

I hope all turns out OK and will keep you in my prayers.

 

[minniepumpernickel]

I swim with a lady who has Lupus. She is a faster swimmer than I am, lol!

I wouldn't let the test results scare you. I'd probably wait, and get a second opinion.

Hang in there!

 

[Chattyaholic]

I'm sorry you're having to deal with this. Most times, it's the "not knowing" that causes us to worry and fret. Once we know what we're dealing with, and how to deal with it, things usually get better so try to just think positive and hang in there until you can really talk to your doctor about what is going on.

I have a high school (graduated in '75) friend out in California who has lupus, and our pastor's wife has lupus, and they are both doing fine with it and each have had it for many years.

 

[CEDmom]

I can image how you feel but try not to worry too much until you've spoken with your doctor. I do have to say that it really burns me up when a doctor's office just calls up with results that are out of the normal range without providing any other information. Does anyone really need that kind of stress ?

Hope all turns out well. Keep us posted .

 

[RachelEllen]

Hi,

Sorry to hear you are stressed. Those are both very, very nonspecific tests. It's kind of a general problem in medicine that our ability to get information is much better than knowing what to do with it. A lot of tests are considered abnormal if your level is outside of what 95% of people have. Maybe that's abnormal, maybe that's just you. That kind of means if you do enough tests on anyone, you're going to get some abnormal result.


It sounds like you have a doctor who does very thorough physicals. That can be a great thing, because they might finding something that someone else can miss. But it also has a down side, in that they'll find lots of worrysome stuff that turns out to be nothing.

It's easier said than done, but try not to worry until you can discuss the big picture with your doctor.

Rachel

 

[Sonya]

I just called and got an appt for next Monday. I would have tried to get in sooner but she's on vacation. The Dr who called didn't seem to think I needed to get in sooner with another Dr so that is good.

The lupus isn't worring me. I've lived with arthritis for 14 years now and it could have been lupus since then. My tests always come back positive but they never did much about them, just thought I might have rheumatoid. My new Dr doesn't think so and ordered it again and said it might be lupus.

It's the heart test that is worring me. It is very high! I know I haven't been exercising as much as I should but I'm not a couch potato and my diet isn't all that bad. I stay away from fried foods, etc.

CED mom, I hate the wait too. I don't know how else they could to it though. The Dr who called was very nice, saying he had the same factor on the CRP test and I wasn't going to have a heart attack for sure. I just don't want this!

 

[Dan Murphy]

A Sonya. Always tough, those results, without conclusive interpretation of them. Hang in there till Monday and your appt. Always easier said, I know. My best, you'll be in my prayers. 's

 

[piglet too]

Just wanted to give you a hug for support!

 

[RachelEllen]

If it helps at all, CRP levels can be increased by arthritis too. It used to be a common test for evaluating significant inflammation. Sort of what I said in my last post, but the test has just gotton better. It used to only be used to look for significant inflammation like in arthritis or serious infections. Now it's much better and they can look for low level inflammation in healthy people. (the cardiac 'specific' test) But it's not all that specific at all, if you've also got some other source of inflammation (like those types of arthritis), then you're still going to get a very high level!

Good luck on Monday.

Rachel

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Not a medical person so I don't know what to say, but I do know that not all test results are accurate the first time (I have had test results come back with some strange things later to find out they were normal the second time around). The doctor will have info for you when you see him/her.

hang in there. You will be okay.

 

[soccerchick]

I'm a big worrier too, so I know how it feels. Try to hang in there! It sounds good that the dr. isn't concerned about getting you in fast w/ someone else. Prayers and pixie dust coming your way! Everything will be fine.

 

[Kallison]

I'll pray for good results.

 

[floridafam]

If you have inflammation anywhere in your body, your CRP test could be off. I would get tested again. I recently had my blood drawn 2 days after surgery and CRP was one of the things my Dr. was testing. She said that if I had a high reading she would just have me tested again when it could be more accurate. There are so many things that can cause this number to be high.


Also, I wouldn't worry if your cholesterol and your homocysteine levels were down. I would tend to worry more about a high CRP coupled with high cholesterol. Someone with a high CRP alone might not be a heart attack waiting to happen.

You can start eating lots of fruits and veggies and do regular exercise. This sometimes makes a world of difference.

Did you have your cholesterol checked? How about your thyroid levels?

I freaked out after my blood draw because my CA-125 came back high but I am going to be tested next month again. My CRP was less than 1 but I have high cholesterol and high LDL so I've got to get moving on living a healthier lifestyle.

Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[tkyes]

to you Sonya

 

[Raulandpinboy]

I was told I was a high risk for heart problems and I was high myself, but one little pill brought iit all under control.

So dont panic all will be fine.

 

[grinningghost]

I've gone through so many medical tests, I feel like a guinea pig, and the waiting is the hardest part. Don't these doctors realize that? I wonder if THEY wait for their results forever too?

Here's a hug for support until you get the news. Just hang in there and keep busy. Things will be OK.

 

[Sonya]

Thanks everyone! I feel much better after I read this, especially since I know my cholestrol is not high and my thyroid is OK. At least I assume it's OK since I had these same tests done at the same time and they didn't mention anything about them.

It makes since that since the CRP test is looking for any inflmation that as I have some sort of infamatory thing going on, either arthritis or lupus, that the score comes back high. Thank you for pointing that out. It helps greatly.

I might call the Dr who called me this morning back and talk a little more with him. I hope he doesn't mind. It's just a lot to throw at someone!