Wasn't sure whether to start a new thread about my recent activities but I remembered this thread and it seems be the most relevant.
I've been off IVIG since October and just on methotrexate, also fighting edema since January and had to stop the meloxicam.
Long story short, my new to me primary doctor got involved and put me on a durietic and ordered lab tests after an abdominal ultrasound found gallstones and a thickened gallbladder wall.
She ordered albumin and prealbumin labs, I never had the prealbumin test before.
Low levels can cause water retention and are signs of low protein intake.
My albumin level was normal like its been for years but the prealbumin test she ordered showed that it was at 5 mg/dl, normal is 17 to 34 mg/dl.
Low prealbumin and normal albumin levels seem to be present where a disease is involved.
After researching prealbumin I went on a high protein diet including protein powder, l-glutamine and branch chained amino acids.
Apparently Kaiser agrees as they have given me a referal to the nutrition dept and emailed me that it may be connected to my myopathy.
So far in 4 weeks, I've lost 10+ pounds, IBS symptoms are much better, my foot/ankle tendonitis thats been killing me for months has greatly improved and I have more energy.
The bad part is I am sleeping much deeper the last half of the night and I have really bad neuropathy everywhere now.
In the body, arms/hands down to the foot.
The deeper the sleep I go into, the worse the pain and stiffness, it wakes me up and I have to take pain meds.
This may be a sign of nerve regeneration as I've read it can be painful, I don't see my neuro til late June so will ask him then.
I've been off IVIG since October and just on methotrexate, also fighting edema since January and had to stop the meloxicam.
Long story short, my new to me primary doctor got involved and put me on a durietic and ordered lab tests after an abdominal ultrasound found gallstones and a thickened gallbladder wall.
She ordered albumin and prealbumin labs, I never had the prealbumin test before.
Low levels can cause water retention and are signs of low protein intake.
My albumin level was normal like its been for years but the prealbumin test she ordered showed that it was at 5 mg/dl, normal is 17 to 34 mg/dl.
Low prealbumin and normal albumin levels seem to be present where a disease is involved.
After researching prealbumin I went on a high protein diet including protein powder, l-glutamine and branch chained amino acids.
Apparently Kaiser agrees as they have given me a referal to the nutrition dept and emailed me that it may be connected to my myopathy.
So far in 4 weeks, I've lost 10+ pounds, IBS symptoms are much better, my foot/ankle tendonitis thats been killing me for months has greatly improved and I have more energy.
The bad part is I am sleeping much deeper the last half of the night and I have really bad neuropathy everywhere now.
In the body, arms/hands down to the foot.
The deeper the sleep I go into, the worse the pain and stiffness, it wakes me up and I have to take pain meds.
This may be a sign of nerve regeneration as I've read it can be painful, I don't see my neuro til late June so will ask him then.
