I had some blood tests this week and they have come back rather odd and I wonder if it is the steroids?
The doctor is concerned that my markers for igE (which I believe is an allergy marker) is 1131 and it should be under 87 UmL according to the test results - Is this perhaps steroid allergies? I don't have any rashes or anything but feel pretty poisoned at the moment! (on 50mg prednisone) AND then I have a high reading of CA 19-9 (it is 54.09 and should be under 23 umL). The doctor said this is indicative of pancreatic cancer! I don't have any other cancer markers as far as I know, but could this also be steroids?
I am still in China, but given that I have now also had some other bad news my health is becoming complex and so I have booked to come back to get this all checked out. Has anyone had anything similar perhaps or do I have other things going on. Thanks everyone
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GingerPoodle1
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Obviously that doctor REALLY knows how to panic a patient! Ca 19 can be raised in a whole load of other things besides pancreatic cancer - and I'd suggest if you had advanced pancreatic cancer you would have the odd other symptom.
"it may also be elevated in other cancers and diseases such as bowel cancer, lung cancer and gall bladder cancer, as well as in benign diseases such as gall stones, pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis, and liver disease. Because elevated levels of CA 19-9 are seen in many diseases, elevated levels do not necessary mean the presence of pancreatic cancer. Very small amounts of CA19-9 may also be found in healthy patients."
IgE is a bit non-specific - it is raised in autoimmune disease and as far as I can tell, could well be raised in GCA, but the immunology is awfully complex and quite new in the literature.
Oh thank goodness for your objectivity! I no longer have a gallbladder and so rat could well be it. Phew panic is subsiding. Yes I think the other one could just be my on autoimmune response in overdrive. I’ve been in touch with GO in England and have been told to present myself first thing on the 30th - they have all the info and will take it from there. I’ll be in Warwickshire!
Sounds as if they have their heads screwed on at least! I don't know much about the local rheumatology service but you do have the diagnosis, so they only have to manage it and most of them do manage GCA, it's the PMR they are less good at!
I do objectivity - the little bunny must have been googling! It always gives the worst possible case scenario and that alone says to me look for the less nasty options and worry about them first.
No googling this time (but mea culpa the rest of the time) - too scared to look! I have had a rheumatologist appointment though and we also noticed that I have some uterine fibroids (which should not be there) and she thinks it could be that - what with the steroids and all.. I have had another ultrasound to confirm that they ARE there and will be sending the report through to the UK doctor as soon as I can! Thanks for your support - I am finding this so useful.
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