[whirlwind123]

I have RA and MG, I am on methotrexate for RA along with Prednisone, recently my blood work esr was going up, now it is 60........can Mg have a affect on esr?

[suev]

ESR is a non-specific measurement of inflammation in the body and I'm guessing it is more indicative of what's going on with your RA than with the MG. But maybe if an MGer overexerts a muscle....?? calling Annie!!! what's the answer please!!!

[AnnieB3]

Hey, Whirlwind. I can never remember your "real" name!

ESR is one of the acute phase reactants. There are so many things that it can be from, such as inflammation, infection, and cancer.

http://www.aafp.org/afp/1999/1001/p1443.html

Do you have any new symptoms? Are you anemic? Do your doctors check a CBC periodically?

Since you're on immunosuppressants, your doctor should keep an eye on it.

I've had an ESR of 104, due to clostridium difficile. Anything over 100 is fairly serious. I've also had one of 68 where nothing could be found and then it went back to normal.

60 could simply be inflammation, as Sue said.

MG isn't an inflammatory disorder, so it wouldn't affect an ESR. I haven't found any articles that would indicate that.

Watch for any new symptoms, and maybe recheck it in a few months. I can't remember if you've had a thymoma or not. Does your doctor think that you are a cancer risk? Does cancer run in your family?

Trust your instincts and go in if anything new pops up.


Annie

[whirlwind123]

Annie, Hi, my name is Nancy, I also got my last test results and it shows my GFR as 41, which is low, my rheumatologist and PCP made absoultely no comment about it. With being on the methotrexate and pred I worry, the Rheumy said my kidney functions were fine, I just went to PCP and he made no mention of GFR, but I was looking at it when I got home.....I am so confused.

Originally Posted by AnnieB3

Hey, Whirlwind. I can never remember your "real" name!

ESR is one of the acute phase reactants. There are so many things that it can be from, such as inflammation, infection, and cancer.

http://www.aafp.org/afp/1999/1001/p1443.html

Do you have any new symptoms? Are you anemic? Do your doctors check a CBC periodically?

Since you're on immunosuppressants, your doctor should keep an eye on it.

I've had an ESR of 104, due to clostridium difficile. Anything over 100 is fairly serious. I've also had one of 68 where nothing could be found and then it went back to normal.

60 could simply be inflammation, as Sue said.

MG isn't an inflammatory disorder, so it wouldn't affect an ESR. I haven't found any articles that would indicate that.

Watch for any new symptoms, and maybe recheck it in a few months. I can't remember if you've had a thymoma or not. Does your doctor think that you are a cancer risk? Does cancer run in your family?

Trust your instincts and go in if anything new pops up.


Annie

[AnnieB3]

Thanks, Nancy! Now I won't forget again.

Since your GFR, which is usually calculated, is low, you should immediately consult with a nephrologist. Don't be worried, however, since you are on those drugs and the kidneys filter waste products from the body (including drugs), you can't be too careful!

My dad had kidney failure. It was from high blood pressure due to a blown aortic valve after having rheumatic fever. What I know from his experiences is that you never gloss over any kidney issue. How's your BP?

Do you know what the GFR has been in the past? Can you track a trend, and see if it was normal before the drugs?

Is it possible that you might have lupus?

It makes me nuts when doctors gloss over important information! Go see a GOOD nephrologist and figure this out.

Don't worry too much, but do take action (which I know you will). Take care of yourself!


Annie

[whirlwind123]

I looked back at my blood work, and once in 2011 it was 38 and never addressed, since then it has been in the 80's , the blood work in January was GSR 68, and Creatinine was 1.0..Now this time GSR 41 and Creatinine is 1.03
When I was at my Rheumy the other day, he looked at the blood work and says oh your kidney and liver are good....I didn't know any difference as I didn't see my blood work till I went to my PCP, and he was concerned with the ESR rate and Is trying to get me into another Rheumy. And then I see this and my hair is standing on edge. I told both of them how fatigued I am and The Rheumy blames MG,,,,anything he doesn't want to talk about or deal with he blames on MG..... Well I won't be going to him any longer.......it is such a shame there are so view Rheumys. I will be going to my Neurologist in June, back to my PCP end of June, I actually think I will call the Rheumy Monday and say...Hey I thought you said my Kidney functions were fine....I just don't understand the medical field any more....so Confused, Thank goodness for you Annie..

Originally Posted by AnnieB3

Thanks, Nancy! Now I won't forget again.

Since your GFR, which is usually calculated, is low, you should immediately consult with a nephrologist. Don't be worried, however, since you are on those drugs and the kidneys filter waste products from the body (including drugs), you can't be too careful!

My dad had kidney failure. It was from high blood pressure due to a blown aortic valve after having rheumatic fever. What I know from his experiences is that you never gloss over any kidney issue. How's your BP?

Do you know what the GFR has been in the past? Can you track a trend, and see if it was normal before the drugs?

Is it possible that you might have lupus?

It makes me nuts when doctors gloss over important information! Go see a GOOD nephrologist and figure this out.

Don't worry too much, but do take action (which I know you will). Take care of yourself!


Annie

[whirlwind123]

my BP has been running low 98 over 59, I take two bp pills and one water pill ( maxide ) I was tested for lupus, they say no to that I was supposed to be tested for sjordans syndrome, but he never did test. I am seronegative RA.
I have my CBC, my WBC is 14.2 and RBC is 3.98 and RDW is 16.9, everything else is nurmal.

Originally Posted by whirlwind123

I looked back at my blood work, and once in 2011 it was 38 and never addressed, since then it has been in the 80's , the blood work in January was GSR 68, and Creatinine was 1.0..Now this time GSR 41 and Creatinine is 1.03
When I was at my Rheumy the other day, he looked at the blood work and says oh your kidney and liver are good....I didn't know any difference as I didn't see my blood work till I went to my PCP, and he was concerned with the ESR rate and Is trying to get me into another Rheumy. And then I see this and my hair is standing on edge. I told both of them how fatigued I am and The Rheumy blames MG,,,,anything he doesn't want to talk about or deal with he blames on MG..... Well I won't be going to him any longer.......it is such a shame there are so view Rheumys. I will be going to my Neurologist in June, back to my PCP end of June, I actually think I will call the Rheumy Monday and say...Hey I thought you said my Kidney functions were fine....I just don't understand the medical field any more....so Confused, Thank goodness for you Annie..

[AnnieB3]

At least make your first stop a nephrologist.

Methotrexate may be the culprit. You're supposed to stay well-hydrated while on it due to the affect it can have on the kidneys. And who put you on the diuretic? That's a pretty heavy duty one, too!!!

Do you have edema? Why would you need a diuretic? That's not the one they usually give patients, because it's a "combo" drug.

I cannot stress this enough. You need to get in to see a nephrologist right away. Someone also needs to assess all of your drugs, why you need them, if there are alternatives (drug or "natural"), and make a game plan!

That diuretic can reduce saliva levels. Maybe you don't have Sjogrens.

Did you know that coconut and celery are natural diuretics? No, don't make any changes, but I'm wondering why they went to such a strong drug first. Do you have allergies to others?

I have no idea why the medical profession is so haywire. There are some great docs out there, but there also seem to be a lot of them that can't be bothered to THINK!

I hope you can find doctors to help you through this. I'm really sorry you have not had optimum care.


Annie

http://ww2.rheumatology.org/directory/geo.asp

[whirlwind123]

My pcp gave me maxide for bp, but lately my bp is low , I am going off of the Maxide, it is a shame but you have to research your own health issues, you can't depend on Drs. My pcp is supposed to call me this week about the new rheumy referrel. I will be calling him ifnot, and at that time I am going to ask him about the GFR and ask for a blood work slip to check it again.
Yes I need a good rheumy who will assess everything. I am also on Nexium, whichI am going off of , I will take pepcid when needed for heartburn. I take the prinivil and norvasc, bp meds, and folic acid , prednisone daily, and once a week the methotrexate, I take lipitor and singulair and 81mg aspirin.
I agree, with getting the Kidney specialist. This whole thing has me bonkers....
I know the methotrexate has helped my RA pain 100 percent, but is it worth it if it is ruining my Kidneys, I am hoping if I go off the Maxide and hydrate mroe that that will help.
Thank you

[AnnieB3]

Please make sure that you check with your primary doctor before going off of Maxide. Any change in a medication can hurt you!