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Autoimmune Disorders Community
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Wondering if I should I go to a rhumatologist
by Kabees, Nov 29, 2008 02:37AM
I apologize in adance for the length
About 10 years ago when I was 18, I developed a bad case of ocular rosacea which was treated with steroid eye drops. After a few months of treatment this problem went away but the rosacea still remained on my cheeks. I saw a dermaologist who referred me to a rhumatologist to be checked for autoimmune disease, and the tests came back showing I had elevated levels of ANAs.
This was so long ago I'm afraid I no longer have any details about how high the levels were or anything else she may have tested for. I saw the rhumatologist many times and had the same set of blood and urine tests each time for at least a year perhaps a little over a year. She would ask me a lot of questions and the only symptom I manifested was the rosacea on my face and the ANAs.
She never diagnosed me as haveing any particular autoimmune disease but wanted me to continue seeing her regularly for an indefinite amount of time but I stopped going after awhile because nothing seemed to be changing and I typically waited 3 hours in a closet-sized waiting room full of very ill people and not enough places to sit.
Since then I've had some vague health problems - such as recurring UTIs, occasional throbbing chest and throat pains, and unexplained vision changes (which I've seen numerous eye doctors over). My regular doctor knows about these things and didn't feel it was worth worrying over.
What I'm wondering, is should I go back to a rhumatologist again to be tested again to see if anything's going on w/my immune system?
Thanks for any input :)
About 10 years ago when I was 18, I developed a bad case of ocular rosacea which was treated with steroid eye drops. After a few months of treatment this problem went away but the rosacea still remained on my cheeks. I saw a dermaologist who referred me to a rhumatologist to be checked for autoimmune disease, and the tests came back showing I had elevated levels of ANAs.
This was so long ago I'm afraid I no longer have any details about how high the levels were or anything else she may have tested for. I saw the rhumatologist many times and had the same set of blood and urine tests each time for at least a year perhaps a little over a year. She would ask me a lot of questions and the only symptom I manifested was the rosacea on my face and the ANAs.
She never diagnosed me as haveing any particular autoimmune disease but wanted me to continue seeing her regularly for an indefinite amount of time but I stopped going after awhile because nothing seemed to be changing and I typically waited 3 hours in a closet-sized waiting room full of very ill people and not enough places to sit.
Since then I've had some vague health problems - such as recurring UTIs, occasional throbbing chest and throat pains, and unexplained vision changes (which I've seen numerous eye doctors over). My regular doctor knows about these things and didn't feel it was worth worrying over.
What I'm wondering, is should I go back to a rhumatologist again to be tested again to see if anything's going on w/my immune system?
Thanks for any input :)
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The rosea is a sign of Lupus. Look it up on the internet but do not frighten yourself over it as many women suffer from it and it is treatable to a degree that will stabilise you. The elevated ANA results confirm that this could be the case but you should be sure and also be treated. With the right meds, the condition will not worsen. I was diagnosed with this in the early 90's and although I am fine with the Lupus side, I do have other auto immune issues that have manefested. You need regular checks with the rheumatologist etc to make sure that you are stable.
The vision changes, when the optician says that your eyes are fine but you know you are getting tired eyes and blurred vision is a sign that your body is working harder to make them work. I get this all the time. It is not all doom and gloom, I have a good life and with meds I hope to live for a long time. I have chronic liver disorders linked with the auto immunes. Please get diagnosed and keep a diary of events on how you are feeling, what hurts, what itches, what rashes, colour of faeces, darkness of urine. All this counts. Ask for an AMA (anti neuclear anti body) blood test, some people have this as I have as well as the ANA. It could help with a diagnosis. You see, with these things, when you have a regular illness like a cold, chest infection etc, it is a little harder for our bodies to get rid of them and we sometimes need a kick start.