past my sell by date part 3

[AnniesRyder5]

I sort of struck lucky with a new gp who ordered a raft of tests

“Sort of” because whereas I couldn’t understand some results I have been booked in for a US urinary tract because neither antibiotics or pessaries helped.

Despite already taking amlodipine for bp my latest reading is 150/75. An ECG was abnormal so she’s referred me to Cardiology and prescribed beta blockers plus under tongue spray- I think it’s for angina!

Apparently a serum ferritin level of 195,000,000 reflects inflammation. I won’t bore you with other stats but what I’m wondering is how does this affect PMR- if at all?

I have an endocrinologist appointment on December 27th - at which point I might just be sent to the knackers yard.

The other good news is we go next Tuesday on a 2 week river cruise on the Nile ending at Petra.

I haven’t yet contacted the insurance company 🥴

[PMRpro Ambassador]

If the insurance was taken out before the blood tests were mooted and you had declared everything then - it is valid for everything without any penalty.

Do you take calcium supplements? That is a very common reason for cystitis/urgency that doesn't respond to the usual approaches of abx etc,

Ferritin is also an acute phase inflammatory marker like ESR and CRP - ferritin is the only marker I have that rises with PMR. But it can also rise in response to other things,

What is the GP arranging for you to come home to?

[AnniesRyder5 in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you once again. I do take Adcal because apparently if I fall I’m likely to break something as I have osteoporosis 🥴

Maybe the ferritin result will be noted by the endocrinologist?

As for when I get back I’m hoping there will be a cardiologist appointment but others have told me to not hold my breath!

Can you think of anything I should ask to be considered?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to AnniesRyder5]

I think that ferritin needs some investigation - given the range of things that can send it up. But not before your holiday ...

[AnniesRyder5 in reply to PMRpro]

Funnily enough I did ask her about it because I actually understood the term but she seemed to shrug it off as an inflammatory marker!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to AnniesRyder5]

It IS an inflammatory marker but is that figure you gave correct?

[AnniesRyder5 in reply to PMRpro]

I don’t know how to photograph the results but this is an extract

Serum ferritin 195g/l above high reference limit

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to AnniesRyder5]

Wonder what they class high - 200 is a usual cut-off. Is there a range in brackets after the figure?

[AnniesRyder5 in reply to PMRpro]

13-150 ! Is the range

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to AnniesRyder5]

So it is raised by their standards.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Under tongue spray is GTN [Glyceryl Trinitrate] and yes for angina. My hubby always had his on him...just be aware sometimes it can give a headache....

nhs.uk/medicines/glyceryl-t...

[AnniesRyder5 in reply to DorsetLady]

thanks for the warning!