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What Causes Pressure In Chest And Swelling In Ankles?
Question: hello i am a 42 year old woman with elevated CK 218, Sed Rate 74, CRP 7.71, Postive Anti-RNP and Positive Sjogrens. I have recently been experiencing alot of pressure in my chest and swelling in my ankles (more in the left than the right) I feel that my current physician is not explaining this to me in full capacity. will you please help me understand what is going on with me? also have an elevated gamma globin
Brief Answer:
Sjogrens Syndrome
Detailed Answer:
Good evening mam
Thank you for writing on health care magic
I have gone through your history.
High ESR, Gamma Globulins, Positive antibodies for RNP do indicate you have a connective tissue disease.
As we know, SLE, Sjogrens syndrome all can present in same way and cause more or less the same symptoms
I do have a few queries, if you could answer that, it will be great
1. Do you experience dry eyes or dry mouth
2. Do you experience any hair fall/joint pains/oral ulcers
3. Any time you had rashes over the legs which worsen on standing?
4. Do you have problems getting up from squatting position or climbing stairs or raising your arms above the head
5. As for the swelling on ankles, Does it get depressed on pressure? is it painful with movements
6. When was the last time you got your liver function , renal function and urine tests done
7. What treatment are you taking currently
Do let me know these answers and i will be able to help you out further. It will give me a clear picture on how severe your disease is and how we need to control it.
regards
Dr naval
Sjogrens Syndrome
Detailed Answer:
Good evening mam
Thank you for writing on health care magic
I have gone through your history.
High ESR, Gamma Globulins, Positive antibodies for RNP do indicate you have a connective tissue disease.
As we know, SLE, Sjogrens syndrome all can present in same way and cause more or less the same symptoms
I do have a few queries, if you could answer that, it will be great
1. Do you experience dry eyes or dry mouth
2. Do you experience any hair fall/joint pains/oral ulcers
3. Any time you had rashes over the legs which worsen on standing?
4. Do you have problems getting up from squatting position or climbing stairs or raising your arms above the head
5. As for the swelling on ankles, Does it get depressed on pressure? is it painful with movements
6. When was the last time you got your liver function , renal function and urine tests done
7. What treatment are you taking currently
Do let me know these answers and i will be able to help you out further. It will give me a clear picture on how severe your disease is and how we need to control it.
regards
Dr naval
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
Hello Dr. Naval:
Thank you for your prompt response. Here are my responses to your questions:
1. Do you experience dry eyes or dry mouth? YES
2. Do you experience any hair fall/joint pains/oral ulcers? YES
3. Any time you had rashes over the legs which worsen on standing? YES
4. Do you have problems getting up from squatting position or climbing stairs or raising your arms above the head? YES
5. As for the swelling on ankles, Does it get depressed on pressure? is it painful with movements? YES with the depression. It is not too painful but some pain is associated.
6. When was the last time you got your liver function , renal function and urine tests done? My liver function test came back normal. It was last checked in August of this year.
7. What treatment are you taking currently. The doctor has me on plaquenil and percocet.
Thank you for your prompt response. Here are my responses to your questions:
1. Do you experience dry eyes or dry mouth? YES
2. Do you experience any hair fall/joint pains/oral ulcers? YES
3. Any time you had rashes over the legs which worsen on standing? YES
4. Do you have problems getting up from squatting position or climbing stairs or raising your arms above the head? YES
5. As for the swelling on ankles, Does it get depressed on pressure? is it painful with movements? YES with the depression. It is not too painful but some pain is associated.
6. When was the last time you got your liver function , renal function and urine tests done? My liver function test came back normal. It was last checked in August of this year.
7. What treatment are you taking currently. The doctor has me on plaquenil and percocet.
Brief Answer:
sjogren syndrome
Detailed Answer:
Good evening. Sorry for a bit late response as it was night time here.
Considering your history and the current symptoms you are experiencing , I feel you need some more treatment than plaquenil. Sjogren syndrome is an auto immune disease, that is our immune system is hyperactive and starts attacking the body's own cells. The rashes , ankle swelling, raised ESR and globulin indicate that the disease is active.
I would suggest you consult with your physician and get an appointment scheduled with a rheumatologist. You may need low dose of steroids for some time to control your disease. It will help resolve most of the symptoms you are experiencing and give you a sense of well being. Plaquenil alone is not sufficient.
Hope the information was useful
Do let me know about the queries you have
sjogren syndrome
Detailed Answer:
Good evening. Sorry for a bit late response as it was night time here.
Considering your history and the current symptoms you are experiencing , I feel you need some more treatment than plaquenil. Sjogren syndrome is an auto immune disease, that is our immune system is hyperactive and starts attacking the body's own cells. The rashes , ankle swelling, raised ESR and globulin indicate that the disease is active.
I would suggest you consult with your physician and get an appointment scheduled with a rheumatologist. You may need low dose of steroids for some time to control your disease. It will help resolve most of the symptoms you are experiencing and give you a sense of well being. Plaquenil alone is not sufficient.
Hope the information was useful
Do let me know about the queries you have
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Ok I will. Thank you. Should I be concerned about the elevated creatine kinease. My level is 218
Brief Answer:
sjogrens syndrome
Detailed Answer:
Good evening
Your cpk is a bit High but not too high for a muscle disease. It can be a part of sjogrens and also due to vitamin d deficiency. I suppose you would have been told to avoid sun exposure. So vitamin d deficiency can happen. you can take some supplements for it. But it s not too high that I would be concerned here..
But yes I feel your treatment needs to be streamlined once. The adequate one is missing .
Feel free to ask me for the queries
Regards
Dr naval
sjogrens syndrome
Detailed Answer:
Good evening
Your cpk is a bit High but not too high for a muscle disease. It can be a part of sjogrens and also due to vitamin d deficiency. I suppose you would have been told to avoid sun exposure. So vitamin d deficiency can happen. you can take some supplements for it. But it s not too high that I would be concerned here..
But yes I feel your treatment needs to be streamlined once. The adequate one is missing .
Feel free to ask me for the queries
Regards
Dr naval
Note: For further queries related to kidney problems Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
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