Question 1

I'm really worried about my mom's health. Her ESR is high at 64 and her hemoglobin has dropped to 8.9. Two months ago, she had a blood transfusion and her hemoglobin was up to 10.8, but now it's gone back down. The doctor has her on Livogen XT, and for her vasculitis, she's taking Omnacortil 5 and MMF 101 BF. We see a rheumatologist every month, and he said not to worry about the ESR, that it will just be like that. Is this really okay? I'm just concerned and need some reassurance.

Accepted Answer

It sounds like your mothers condition is being managed carefully with the right medications, including Omnacortil and MMF for vasculitis. The low hemoglobin and high ESR can be concerning, but they are sometimes part of the ongoing inflammation or treatment effects in such conditions. It's important to follow her rheumatologist's advice and keep regular check-ups, as they are closely monitoring her health. If you're still concerned, dont hesitate to discuss further with her doctor.

Question 2

I'm worried about my health and need some advice. My c-reactive protein is at 6.09 mgL, and my lipoprotein a is 37.04 mgdl. Also, I'm dealing with constant neck and shoulder pain because of cervical spondylitis, and I've noticed my sr creatinine levels are high too. Can you help me understand what these numbers mean and what steps I should take next?

Accepted Answer

Your c reactive protein level of 6.09 mgL indicates inflammation in your body. To reduce inflammation, you can take Ibuprofen 400mg twice a day after meals for pain relief. For your lipoprotein a level of 37.04 mgdl, you can take Atorvastatin 20mg once daily at night to help lower your cholesterol. For your cervical spondylitis and constant neck and shoulder pain, you can take Acetaminophen 500mg three times a day for pain management. Additionally, doing neck exercises and maintaining a good posture can also help alleviate the pain. Since your sr creatinine levels are high, it is important to consult a nephrologist for further evaluation and management. They may recommend medications like Losartan 50mg once daily to help protect your kidneys. Remember to follow up with your healthcare provider regularly to monitor your progress.

Question 3

I'm really concerned because every morning when I wake up, my ribs hurt, and sometimes it gets worse with each breath. It feels really unbearable, and I'm just not sure what to do since obviously, I can't stop breathing. What could be causing this, and how can I find relief?

Accepted Answer

This type of pain in the ribs that worsens with breathing could be due to inflammation of the muscles between the ribs, a condition known as costochondritis. To help alleviate the pain and inflammation, you can take over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen (e.g. Advil) or naproxen (e.g. Aleve) at the recommended dosage. Additionally, applying a warm compress to the area and practicing deep breathing exercises may also provide some relief. If the pain persists or worsens, it is advisable to consult a healthcare professional for further evaluation and management.

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More Rheumatology Health Queries

I'm really concerned because every morning when I wake up, my ribs hurt, and sometimes it gets worse with each breath. It feels really unbearable, and I'm just not sure what to do since obviously, I can't stop breathing. What could be causing this, and how can I find relief?

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