Anyone know what to make of "minimal chronic inflammation"? I meet with an internal medicine doc on Monday, so I really don't know what this means for a diagnosis. My ENT says that he would think everything is pointing to SS, but that it is not his call.
I had a feeling that this would happen because my lip is the only place that I produce saliva. It's the back of my mouth that is so dry, but a biopsy back there is much more of a procedure.
Please let me know if anyone else has had this result. Perhaps this is what they mean by inconclusive. :-\
Thanks. Kellie
Kellie, you are probably right about it being "inconclusive." Remember though, lab tests can be subjective and read one thing to one doc or clinic and something else to another. Lucy
Minimal and chronic are contradictory (sp?) though surely? This is why I refuse a lip biopsy!!
to me it sounds like it is showing a mild but chronic inflammation, so it would seem to be on the positive side. which is why the ENT says it is all pointing to sjs.
If I had read the posts about biopsy's on this site before I had it done, I would have refused it. I would think that my pos ana, ssa, and eye exam, results would be enough, but then again this is a military hospital.
I am pretty confident though that everything will go well on Monday during my visit with internal medicine, and that I will be shipped off to see a rheumetologist. I also have a move to Sacramento to look forward to, as I know I will be able to find wonderful providers there.
I do feel fortunate that everything is "minimal". I just can't imagine what my mouth would feel like with significant chronic inflammation. Also, I do not have people to "lean on" during bad days, nor do I have a physical shoulder to cry on (if I had tears that is!). This forum has been a wonder place to vent honestly, and think "out loud".
Thanks so much!
Hi KJ,
I sure know what you mean! I got the "there's some inflitration, but the test is inconclusive". Huh? I thought it was about the infiltration, according to the folks that read the samples, I'm wrong. The rheumy I see now wants me to do it again, ah, NOT!
If your doctor tells you different, please do post, I'd like to hear what he has to say about the report.
Take care -
Patze
I am real new to this. I was just diagnosed last week. But does it seem that Sjogrens reacts differently on everyone. All of my blood work came back ok. It was my symptoms that made my doctor send me to get a lip biopsy. That report came back positive for Sjogrens. I asked him why the blood work did not support it and he told me in Sjogrens, the blood work doesn't always mean anything.
Margaret
Margaret, Sounds like you got a good doc.. Roxanne
All the doctors I saw for my sjogrens, agreed, that a lip biopsy was not needed, and they didnt want to tear up my lip for that. Based on symptoms and blood work, they
were able to make a diagnoses...I would never agree to one either. Alot of these tests, both blood and other, never show anything anyways? its crazy.
Hi Margaret...welcome to Sjogrens World!
I agree with Roxanne 100%..it sounds like you found a great doc who is knowledgeable about sjogrens and willing to think outside the box. Hold on to that one! ;)
KJ,
When I was in the early stages of getting a diagnosis....my rheumy also wanted me get a lip biopsy as well ( I'm not sure why now...lol). My blood work was positive (ANA and SSB) and I had the symptoms but could not get an accurate reading for my Schirmers test. My problem there is I have many tears...just not the proper kind and they evaporate off of my eye fast...so I would drench the little strip as soon as it was put in my eye.
I was lucky to have a wonderful doctor do my lip biopsy who does them all of the time and also has the backing of an experienced lab. It came back positive and I had no problems with the procedure!
Good luck with your appt on Monday...let us know how it goes!
Hi KJ,
I was diagnosed with a Schirmer's test, positive ANA and Anti Ro of 400 something. SED rate wasn't too bad, all else was fine. I also have fatigue and neurological symptoms. The rheumatologists at the teaching hospital I go to felt confident with their diagnosis, although for some reason I still question it. They said I didn't need a lip biopsy and that even if I had a lip biopsy and it came back negative that does not mean that I don't have SS. I guess some doctors feel a positive lip biopsy is essential for diagnosis though. I don't have a dry mouth at all. Just dry eyes.
Good luck with your appt. on Monday!
Terri