What are labs please

[Brixhamhampster]

I read on many of the posts that people have their labs done. Could someone tell me what these are. I guess it is an abbreviation for something.

[Jora]

Short for Laboratory. I assume you have read it in the context of blood tests.

Jo

[Brixhamhampster in reply to Jora]

Thank you Jora. I have only ever had one blood test at the beginning in June this year which told the doctor I probably had pmr. Nothing since so didn't recognise the term.

[pollybee70 in reply to Brixhamhampster]

I'm with you Brixhamhampster. I've only had 1 blood test done,no rheumys or any of all these other attentions some sufferers get. In fact, my doctor doesn't really know much about PMR at all, she certainly doesn't know anything about giant cell.

I'm sure Jora didn't mean such a big put down.

[Brixhamhampster]

Thank you polybee Comforting to know you are in the same boat as far as tests are concerned. The difference in everyone's experience only adds to the confusion doesn't it.

[pollybee70 in reply to Brixhamhampster]

It all depends on the area you live in and comes down to funding for each practice in the end. My brother who lives in Hants, doesn't have PMR but numerous other things. He even gets Consultants ringing him. He is much more proactive than I am.

I am down to 10mg a day and as long as I can get things done I tend to go with the flow. I am attempting to decorate my bedroom right now. I just do things in manageable size bites. It is exhausting and the down side is, when I get tired I tend to become very unstable and have to stop, as I fall over easily. But hey ho, at least I don't feel redundant.

I'm hurrying, because my doctor is going to lower the dose, which is good, (if I can stop her stopping it abruptly as she did previously) but I think all the comments have made me realize I need to manage my PMR and be more assertive.

On the bright side, my grandaughter brought her 6 week old and two year old last week and left them both with me for an hour - courageous girl. I was having a really good day otherwise I wouldn't have agreed, but it was wonderful to feel I could help out and was for a brief time, back to being the carer and not the cared for.

[Brixhamhampster in reply to pollybee70]

Thank you pollybee you are saying so much that I agree with. I am managing to do everything in bite size amounts which includes my allotment. I am a passionate vegetable grower and for the brief time I can work there is the one time I forget I am ill. Well done with looking after your great grandchildren that would have been too much for me. I used to help with my best friends daughter's triplets but now they are bigger but still want to be picked up I cannot do it any more. We are all obviously careers at heart. Keep well.

[Brixhamhampster in reply to Brixhamhampster]

Sorry pollybee that should have been carers!

[Annodomini]

I have blood tests virtually on demand, when I feel I'm ready for another pred taper. I have never referred to them as 'labs'. The results come back (from the lab) the following day.

[Brixhamhampster in reply to Annodomini]

Thank you annodomini for that. Perhaps I ought to be more proactive in contacting my doctor. I assumed (wrongly) that he would contact me when I needed any tests. He is obviously signing each of my repeat prescriptions but it doesn't trigger anything. Grateful for your reply.

[piglette in reply to Brixhamhampster]

I only had my rheumatologist suggesting tests when first diagnosed, since then I have asked for them when I thought it was a good idea. I think it is up to us to be proactive, my GP practise seems to have virtually given up I am even having to suggest diagnoses! They have stopped referring people, xrays seem to be off limits and even drugs are being cut back. Perhaps they will close down next!

[Brixhamhampster in reply to piglette]

Piglette I think my practice is similar to yours. Good when you get to see a doctor but Grtting an appointment is like trying to pin jelly to a ceiling. I try to be more assertive but it doesn't come naturally to me.

[pollybee70 in reply to Brixhamhampster]

Haven't had a repeat prescription, my doctor prefers the yo yo approach!

[rogerthegov in reply to Annodomini]

how do you manage to get them back so quick ?

[Annodomini in reply to rogerthegov]

Hi rogerthegov, the lab collects bloods from our practice at around 11am and depending on how elaborate the test is, the results are sent on line as soon as they have them. I can get them if I phone after 3pm. The day my PMR was diagnosed, my GP took the blood in the morning and rang me late afternoon with the result. And the rest is history!! Some tests take a lot longer, but on the whole the operation is pretty slick.

[rogerthegov in reply to Annodomini]

Thanks for that - just had another blood test on Weds and was told if it is urgent they would ring on Friday otherwise leave it until Tuesday. The reason for this test is that following the last one I had a phone call to say I had over axctive thyroid and a perscription for Carbimazole would be available in the morning. Since then feeling very tired when results come back I am going to insist I see the Doc as I have been 'diagnosed' 3 times in the last 8 months on the telephone by different Docs and seen by 2 others !!!!!!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

i think it is just a reflection of the international nature of the forum - a lot of people in the USA go to the laboratory to have blood taken and know their test results come from "the lab" and for shorthand say "labs" just as many people in the UK might say "bloods".

[Brixhamhampster in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks for that pmrpro. It makes sense put like that.

[jevuki]

I have blood work done monthly to monitor the ESR rate etc. I keep copies so I can see trends and to just keep track myself of my progress. There is something to be said about taking charge of you medical condition if you leave it up to doctors you may not get all the best of what's available.

[Sandradsn]

I have blood tests done every couple of months,then a week after I see my GP,she tells me the results and I keep track of everything.It varies, sometimes its a full blood test , Vit D,thyroid or liver function and ESR/CRP.I tell her when I want to taper Pred.