Does anyone know about, high levels of Fibrinogen, or CRP?

Im getting plasmapheresis tomorrow, and i as my doctor to tell me the results of my blood tests, i had to ASK to have done, and she said they were slightly high. and i feel like this could affect my plex.

any ideas?

Yes. They are nonspecific tests but generally can show inflammation or infection. Because of the fact that you are taking both Pred and Accutane, it's more than likely inflammation.

CRP and Fibrinogen are "acute phase reactants" which can make the blood "thicker." Do you know what your Pro-time test was?

http://www.uptodate.com/patients/con...2ip2ecYo1z07Yp

http://www.fpnotebook.com/Hemeonc/Lab/Fbrngn.htm
http://www.fpnotebook.com/Hemeonc/Lab/CRctvPrtn.htm

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate is another one of these "markers." When I had clostridium difficile a few years ago, mine rose to 104.

This is something to keep an eye on, along with your cholesterol testing. More than likely, they will normalize after stopping Accutane. Or it could continue as long as you are on Pred. They don't know a lot about these markers in relation to drugs or what impact they really have on the body.

My CRP and Fibrinogen were high for years due to taking the birth control pill. Anytime you mess with hormones/steroids, they can increase. I'd put some sites up but I'm too worn out today.

Don't get too alarmed. It is something to be cautious about. If your cardiac function is fine, then keeping an eye on these markers is enough. But do you know if your heart is okay? Have you had an echocardiogram?

You can't separate body parts. One thing effects another effects another. I hope your doctors will be VERY cautious when they mix in fluid with blood that is "thicker."

I hope it all goes well tomorrow.

Annie

Get copies of all test results so you can see for yourself "how high" everything is.

I dont know what my protime test came back as, yet im trying to contact my doctor to find out...

Thanks for posting those.

I will keep an eye on, how do i do a cholestrol test? Im now starting to wean off my pred. starting tomorrow, so maybe it will just go away.

I asked my doctor via text if its possible to do an echocardiogram at the office.


Thanks, im hoping for no catheter. Please veins work.


Thanks again annie.

Accutane raises triglycerides to very high numbers in some people. When this happens the blood can get very thick, and it is this increase in viscosity that leads to heart attacks, or blood clots.

Any invasive procedure can raise c reactive protein. Mine went up .5 when I just had my root canal done before Xmas.

So, my veins did work, and I dont have to do inpatient which im quite happy about.

I feel paralyzed, im so tired, and dont have the energy to get out of bed right now.
Halfway through the procedure, i started to crash, my blood pressure went high, and my pulse 100+ and i was hot all over, yet I regained control, and was okay.

Yet not one of the smoothest, yet not horrible.

I just woke up from a nap, and feel like i could sleep for another 12 hours.

Hope your all doing well.

Also, just walking up the stairs (checking my pulse after) was 114. is that normal?

Hi Tyson,

I remember around the time of my diagnosis, I was always sooooo tired. I would fall into bed at about 7.30, and wouldn't be unusual for me to sleep till 10am the next day. My neuro kept saying, mg doesn't make you tired, just fatigues you muscles. I cant see how you can have one without the other, I mean my body is working so hard to try and work, ie other muscles are trying to take over what others can't do, so of course I'm tired, still he doesn't have the disease, so can only go on his medical theories. I still need more than a normal amount of sleep, if I'm not in bed by 9, I turn into a pumkin!!!

114 after a "small"(not small for us mgers) does seem high, but what is your "usual" resting pulse.

Kate- I completley agree with what your saying above. Yet sometimes I am
so tired but just can't fall asleep, possiby due to the prednisone. At rest my heart rate is 70-75. So when doing a small thing such as walking up the stairs it shoots to 114.

I woke up this morning, and had horrible chest pains, like I was having a heart attack, yet they went away. Any ideas what that could be?

Hope you all feel as well as possible.

Tyson, You woke up with chest pain and no one has responded to your post. Come on guys!!!

First, if you or anyone else here has CHEST PAIN, it is an emergency. Period. Don't go on the forum and ask for help. Call your doctor or go directly to the ER. Especially after having something like IVIG or plasmapheresis!!! Or when you are on Pred and Accutane, Tyson, and your blood is THICKER. Damn it. The effects of drugs can last for months later, so you have to be very cautious. Has anyone suggested taking a baby aspirin? Anyone?!!!!!

Are you drinking enough water? Don't slam it down, drink it slowly and with a snack (you need a tiny bit of sodium but not too much due to Pred).

No, it's not normal for your pulse to skyrocket. That can happen if MG is worse or if you have an infection or lots of other reasons.

Get in to have that echocardiogram. Talk to the doctor who ran those tests (pro-time, fibrinogen, CRP). Get yourself some help before you do have a bigger problem.

Annie

Annie- don't worry I took initiative and went to the er later that day. I'm in crisis, very close to crashing they say, my bp
is consistently 140/80. Pulse 85.

Have to concentrate on breathing.

So I am
a unc once again probably for a week. I haven't even been excersizing and I'm in crisis, what the heck is this?

Thanks for your concern.