Alk Phos Update For Sqad...

[erin-x]

Don't know if you'll remember my questions but I just thought i'd give an update :)

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Body-and-Soul/Question1149636.html

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Body-and-Soul/Question1179474.html

When I asked my GP about the raised alk phos levels she said that they were only slightly raised and nothing to worry about. That was in November.

Last week I had a rheumatology appointment and the doctor was really concerned about it. She thinks I might have a vitamin D deficiency. She was really mad at my GP for telling me otherwise actually! =s What does a vitamin D deficiency mean for me?

At rheumatology I also found out I have bad arthritis in my knee, slight scoliosis in my lower back and frequent episodes of tendinitis. I need to see a physiotherapist and a podiatrist on a regular basis and all of this is down to my hyper-mobility. The doctor was raging that i've been left for this long without any help :(

Anyway... I just wanted to share! Lol! At 22 it is a lot to take in.........

[Sqad]

Thanks for the update erin.

I see little point in listing causes for a low Vitamin C,but I will be specific in your case.

A low level of Vit C is so important in patients with RA as it increases the pain and bone damage. Low VitC increase in bone pain, simple as that......

You will need to take VitC in some form.

[NoMercy]

Vitamin D, Sqad !!!

[NoMercy]

Erin, you will need to optimise you vitamin D levels by either taking 25mcg OTC vitamin D or GP may be asked to prescribe Fultium D3 1 tablet daily until you are replete.

30mcg/l would be good, 45mcg/l would be excellent.

What are your levels at present? X

[Sqad]

Oops!......thanks NoM. ;-(

[slaney]

Erin - it's good that the rheumatology doctor is taking an interest and doing the right tests.
She suspects you could have a vitamin D deficiency because of the high Alk Phos. levels, but I presume you are still waiting for the result of the Vitamin D levels, or have you got the result already?

[erin-x]

I haven't got the result yet. My bloods were done last Tuesday and she was going to write to my GP so I think it'll be a little while yet.

Thanks for replying all :-)

[MadMen]

Also, lack of vitamin D could mean that you need a good 2 weeks in the sun!

:-)

[Smowball]

Nothing medical to add. just sorry to hear you are not in the best of health and hope things improve xx

[Eve]

Aww, bless ya. I have recurring low vitamin D levels, usually makes me feel run down and increases bone pain. It's always bounced back up with therapy though tends to drop again.

I've found once there is one thing like that all kinds of other things spring up. A lot of what you've said all sounds quite familiar, I've got arthritis, hypermobility, low Vit D, episodes of tendonitis and see a rhumo, physio, podiatrist etc...

If you ever fancy a chat or want to let off steam I'm sure we could get in touch somehow x

[erin-x]

We've chatted before, Eve. (I keep wanting to call you Jenna! I don't like these name changes lol!)

I don't have too much bother with pain or anything at the moment. Sometimes i'll have a dull, constant ache in my arms or legs but that's about it. The arthritis in my knee isn't painful either really. The worst thing is feeling it crunch every time I bend it under pressure but apart from that i'm not too bad.

I just hope that they've caught me early enough so I don't end up like my mum x

[NoMercy]

Erin, have they discussed DMARDs with you?

[erin-x]

No....... What is it?

They haven't discussed much tbh.

[NoMercy]

Disease-modifying agents.

What does your mother have precisely, and did Rheum Consultant do full immunology screen?

[erin-x]

Ehh I don't think so. Sorry i'm not of much use!

My mum has fybromyalgia, osteoarthritis, scoliosis, spondilosis, ME, vitamin D deficiency (hers was diagnosed through SAD), she suffers from depression quite badly (who wouldn't with all that, right?) and has anxiety issues. I think that could be it. She's currently being tested for diabetes.

We both require iron tablets for anaemia sometimes. Not all the time though.

[NoMercy]

Sorry to hear about your mother's health issues.

I was wondering if they did immunology bloods to determine if you have antibody positivity.

I hope you are all better soon.