I have had multiple emails, texts, calls, etc concerning the goings on of my health currently. So, I thought I would quickly just give a mid/late week update with what I found out yesterday:
On both Monday and Tuesday I went to the doctor. Monday was to an emergent care type of place. The doctor there confirmed by swollen lymph nodes and started me on a course of prednisone. His suggestion was to get into a permanent family doctor ASAP for continued treatment and maintenance. THANKFULLY, I was successful in finding a family doctor who is only about 10 minutes down the road and to whom I was excessively impressed with. On Tuesday afternoon, I met with my new family doctor who began a battery of labs on me. I got a call yesterday afternoon with my results. Here's how it breaks down:
1. Vitamin D is a 24. The bottom normal of vitamin D starts at 32... so, its way off. This has been a continued problem for the past year in conjunction with the beginning SLE (Systematic Lupus Erythematosus) diagnosis. Evidently, those two things are very closely linked. As a result, he has started me on a high dose of vitamin D which I will continue for 3 months before having labs rechecked.
2. Last fall, also in conjunction with the SLE, I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism (under active thyroid). I was informed this is also a common problem with lupus. Last year my dosing started at .25 and then increased to .5 but as of yesterday, due to the low levels, my dosage has doubled and I'm now on 1.0 of synthroid to help with this problem.
3. My WBC (white blood count), lymphocytes, and neutrophils were all 'very' elevated, which the doctor said is indicative of an acute bacterial infection. Interestingly enough, while at both doctors this week, they did the routine checking of my ears, nose, throat, and lungs and both doctors said everything was clear with no infection. Obviously, somewhere in my body... infection is plaguing me... so- I have been started on an antibiotic which will hopefully knock whatever it is causing the problem OUT fast.
With all of the above- the good news was that my kidney and liver functions were good- though bordering the low end of normal. The rest of my electrolytes looked fine and so did my red blood count and platelets. So... the course of treatment is all I mentioned above, as well as continuing on the prednisone. And the doctors office is making the referral appointment to Vanderbilt hospital for a rheumatologist there. We are hoping to get an appointment prior to Thanksgiving to kind of keep the flare from getting worse and to keep everything under some type of 'control.'
Currently, I can just say that I am frustrated and extremely fatigued. The most aggravating symptoms I'm dealing with are the flushed/red facial 'rash', on again off again temperature, and fatigue. My Raynaud's (blue fingers) is acting up almost daily... but, I don't necessarily mind that so much. So, that's it in a nutshell. I'm making adjustments to daily life to alleviate some stress and increased pressure and hopefully that will help. If you think of me, whisper a prayer... I can use it!
My initial thought is....Oh wow! The hits just keep coming for you guys. Then I think of a couple of families I could say that to. THEN I remember this isn't our home. As much as it makes me dream of that home, it also makes me thankful that this "life" is just a blink of an eye. He does have a plan thru this. I can't imagine what it is. I know its exhausting to be exhausted.... I love you guys. I'll be praying! (jen)
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