Lab Tests and Stressed about Life

[peacefulstorm]

Hi everyone!

I know I haven't been responding much because I have still been in the healing process, but I need to share some things to get it off my chest.

First, I got my SjS results back from my RA doc and I need help understanding what it actually means and if any of you can help me that would be great!

Regular Range
ssDNA     99
RNP/Sm  83
SSA(Ro)  91

My Results
ssDNA     384
RNP/sm   120
SSA/(ro)  193

WHAT DOES this mean? The doctor just sent me a generic letter this time and didn't explain what the high numbers meant or the actual tests.  Please help!

If things weren't bad enough, Brian(hubby) lost his job yesterday. He didn't get fired but was laid off because the company isn't making what it used to and I'm very upset by this because he was promised a promotion at the beginning of this year just 2 weeks ago.  How can you say that and then just turn around and let someone go with NO warning! I am not bringing any money home because I cant work and my DANG employer still has NOT sent in my disability paperwork for my disability funds.  I don't know how much more I can take.  Thankfully we live with my mother and have a roof over our heads and food in our bellies.  My husband is just beside himself because he has always been the "provider" and its really bothering him. The last time this happened I was at least working! I'm so scared.

To top things off I just recently found out that I owe my Pain Management doctor 9,000 because my insurance wont pay for a procedure that they did on me THREE times. The first time it was 4/8 then the next 2 times were 8/22 and 9/23, you cant tell me they didn't know that then, each time was 3K and they knew it wasn't a payable claim. I am expecting bills to come in any moment for my back surgery as well.  I don't know how we are going to do all of this.  I can' sleep its 1:35 am here and I'm just crying like a baby.  I know in the end it will be ok, but right this moment I'm so worried.

My pain from the surgery is getting better but I I still have days (mostly nights) that I really cant stand the pain.  I got an infection in my scar as well and I have been on anti-biotics, Brian has had to put hydrogen peroxide on it every day to try and make it better. He says its looking much better, but when I look in the mirror it looks so swollen and red still to me. 

Just too much on my plate right now and I feel I'm going to loose it!
Cortnee'

[Joe S.]

I know that times are tough for many across the world. Take time to breath and relax a bit. Look at your options and see what you can do. Try not to be over charged emotionally. Believe that you deserve a blessing as you truly do. Focus on the blessings that you have in your life.

You have a roof over your head. This is very good since there are a lot of people being forced from their homes. I am sure if you look for the positive things in your life you will find them.

Personally I am thankful for the my wife still having her job even though we lost most of our pensions. The foreclosure of our home (because I know we will find a better one). And of course for Reiki in helping me deal with the AI issues and symptoms that I have.

Yes life can be very challenging for us (with AI's) and our families. But as our parents and grandparents made it through the Great Depression, we will make it through the "Greater Recession". These challenging times are affecting all the nations of the world. There will be tremendous changes before this is corrected.

[genko_b]

Hi Cortnee:

It sounds like a scary time, and when you are going through difficult times there is not much comfort initially in knowing that many people are also going through them. And recovering from surgery takes all your energy, making it hard to be positive in the face of more bad news. It also sounds like you recognize you will feel better soon. I say go ahead and cry - it always washes away some of the tension for me.

Is there any way you can push at your employer to get that disability paperwork in? That is a benefit that you are owed and now with your husband's job situation you have a good reason to call them and ask that they put some hustle on the process. If they continue to stall, at some point you may need to rattle their cage a bit by having an attorney write a letter to them.

Someone like Linda will come along soon and explain the tests to you better than I can. About all I know is that the SSA value is a pretty good indicator of Sjogren's.

Take care. You have the support of your parents and your husband and that counts for a lot.

Genko

[Scottietottie]

Hi Cortnee

I'm sorry - I can't read your results for you. As far as I know - high readings are 'positive' but the actual amount of the number is not the important thing. I mean a vastly greater number does not necessarily mean that the disease is worse. Someone will come along who can explain that better! 

I'm really sorry to hear that your husband has lost his job. I'm in the UK and people are being laid off all over the place here too. Unemployment is rising sharply. I think it's terrible that he was promised promotion and then this happened. That really is unfair. Hoprfully he will get a good reference from the people who laid him off for future employment. I'm glad you're not out on the street and hungry anyway.

You do have a lot on your plate. somehow you are going to have to shove a lot of it to the back of your mind and get on with healing because you can't do anything until you are somewhat better.

Take care - Scottie 

[trector1955]

Hi Cortnee,
       I know you don't want to hear things will get better but they  they always do. Like everyone said you have a roof over your heads and food in your tummy and you have each other and that is the most important thing any ways. We all have to count our blessing. We are all so blessed. maybe not in job, or money but we still have our love ones. I would not trade a million dollars for my love ones. I am also out of work and waiting for the disability and haven't worked for about 5 years. I have tons for health problems too. Thank God for a healthy husband. It stinks for all the money we spent on Drs and meds. I counldn't even afford to go to the Drs. before Christmas. I finally made a appt to the eye dr in the morning something is wrong with my left eye. I am pretty new to Sjogrens only since Last July I never even heard of it. I had fibermyalgia and thought all the achs and pains were from that. It stinks but I have been some kind of sick my whole life and i am 53. I could write a book.
But I still count my blessing and move on. But we all need to cry sometimes. It makes us feel better. I saw this lady on Oprah that was so burned and disfigured that she said she will only let her self cry 5 mins a day. At least she is alive. And try not to stress I know stress makes me sick. You know maybe your husband will find a better job and this just helped him get to a better level. No one knows what the future will bring, I am hoping for you guys lots of blessing and Health. Hang in there things always get better.
Theresa

[wen.uk]

Hi Cortnee
Massive hugs and a tissue to help you with your tears, it sounds as if you've just had too much to deal with recently so go ahead and have a cry and get the emotion out of your system as bottling it in will just make you worse.  However, as others have said it is so important - and i know terribly hard too - to try to look for the positives.

Things are heading the same way in the UK too, my hubby's business (also Brian!) is very slow at the mo and I'm just hoping that we can hang on in there.  He's fighting desperately for business and I know doesn't want to worry me in case it makes me ill.  My part-time wage won't go far but at least we have that, so that's something.

I would definitely start to chase your employer - you are entitled to that money and need it desperately, if you can't face doing it perhaps your hubby or someone else can do it on your behalf.  I truly hope you start to feel better soon, we're all here for you.
Wen x