Of course, only us with "mystery" chronic illnesses can appreciate how we feel when finally a blood tests shows what we've been talking about for months or even years! I went to the rheumy yesterday and as we're talking he mentions that 1 test did come back abnormal, HLA B27. Of course I'm not real clear on what it means (if someone can explain it to me in the simplest of terms, I'd appreciate it).
I've posted in the past strange episodes concerning my eyes. Sometimes they'll burn, tear excessively,swell up and finally be extremely sensitive to the light. Because of those symptoms and this abnormal blood test, he's having me go to an Opthomologist. He thinks I might be developing an inflammatory eye disease. What else?? I think this blood test result could also be the reason behind my constant lower back pain. We're also discussing the possibility of switching from Plaquenil to some other similar med starting with an A. (anybody have any idea?) Since I'm still dealing with morning pain and stiffness and my fingers hurt in the morning!
Thanks for listening and I'm looking forward to being educated :)
An abnormal, or positive, HLA B27 basically means that you have an autoimmune disease. It's a protein found on your white blood cells that tells your body to destroy that cell. If the HLA B27 is there, it's like the cell runs around your body with a big sign saying "Eat Me!" Since it's a sign on your own cells, instead of bad cells (like germs), that's what makes it autoimmune. So when they see that protein/sign/HLA B27, it means you have something autoimmune going on. Does that help at all?
In terms of the HLA B27 and your eyes, it could be HLA B27 uveitis which is basicaly inflammation of the middle layer of your eye caused by that HLA protein saying "Eat me" on the cells in your eye and could explain the tearing, burning, swelling, and light sensitivity. Hope this answers some of your questions.
I also have that same eye problem, but like most problems with autoimmune disease, is there anything that can be done to fix it? I am currently on a med named imuran, but don't quite understand how it works. Anyone have answers? Thanks
I can relate, i too breathe a sigh of relief of the all too familiar. Recently went to see pain management physician. On this paticuliar visit he wanted to discuss taking me off the pain medication....well I went into mild fits and yet again explained that this is about the only way I can function at all. So yet again, admist my tears, I go into my pitiful spiel on how this hurts and that hurts, I've tried this done that yada yada yada... So old doc decides to take some blood and look for some cause yet again for my imaginay symptoms. Well everything came back abnormal, out of range, elevated!!!! YAAAHHOOOOOOO!!! He even ended the visit with "well you'll be on pain management most likely forever now, yes , yes you'll need to continue with your medications" That's when we discovered it was Lupus.
I can’t help with the education part but I understand how you feel with hoping a blood test will be abnormal. I feel a lot of people dont get that it’s not that you want to be sick, it’s that you are and want to know why… It sounds like you may be getting somewhere so I hope you’re able to get it figured out soon and start treatment so you feel some relief.
Your explanation was so simple even I could understand it! Thank you so much. :-) Ballerina8876 said:
An abnormal, or positive, HLA B27 basically means that you have an autoimmune disease. It's a protein found on your white blood cells that tells your body to destroy that cell. If the HLA B27 is there, it's like the cell runs around your body with a big sign saying "Eat Me!" Since it's a sign on your own cells, instead of bad cells (like germs), that's what makes it autoimmune. So when they see that protein/sign/HLA B27, it means you have something autoimmune going on. Does that help at all?
In terms of the HLA B27 and your eyes, it could be HLA B27 uveitis which is basicaly inflammation of the middle layer of your eye caused by that HLA protein saying "Eat me" on the cells in your eye and could explain the tearing, burning, swelling, and light sensitivity. Hope this answers some of your questions.
Hope things turn out well for you! My eyes do the sme and my doctor told me in oct,2013 there was nothing wrong with my eyes and we both are debating at this visit with each other ! Am telling her what is going on with my eyes bd she wants me to cut back on the plaquilin -which that is not going to happen it is what helps me move for the day seriously she is out of her mind! But she told me to buy some eyes drops and wash and to come back in Dec.2013 and maybe the problems that is happening will have changed -I don’t think it will be cause it has gotten worse since oct! I don’t know about some doctors -I really like he but I might have to find another. Something is wrong with my eyes and am not giving up the med that help me to move-sorry that just not going to happen, but good luck to yo…Bevely L.
Not much of an explanation, but Imuran stops cells from reproducing DNA to make new cells. Without the DNA to make new cells, your body can't produce the bad auto-antibodies that cause all the autoimmune symptoms/problems. It's not a cure, but it can slow disease progression. Basically it's like shutting down a factory. But, since Imuran stops DNA reproduction/new cell creation, you're at a higher risk for infection because Imuran can't go specifically to the auto-antibody factory (wouldn't it be awesome if it could?) so all your new cell making factories get shut down/slow production. So things like your white blood cells to fight infection are fewer in number (and are harder to make when you do have an infection) so infection can happen easily. Does this help any?
lol said:
I also have that same eye problem, but like most problems with autoimmune disease, is there anything that can be done to fix it? I am currently on a med named imuran, but don't quite understand how it works. Anyone have answers? Thanks
Could be Sjogren’s. My eyes are like that quite a bit from the Sjogren’s. I can’t go outside without sunglasses and my ducts have been cauterized. Sorry they’re bothering you.
I remember when I first went to my rheumy last year, HLA B27 was one of the first things to come up due to my previous eye problems and the fact that I had two very painful points low on my back. I wasn't even aware I had joints there, where my pelvis met my spine. He told me that these were possible indicators of ankylosing spondylitis, which you can learn more aboutHERE. As it turned out, my blood test came back negative, so it was ruled out.
I can totally relate about getting nothing but negative blood tests. It can be frustrating to explain to folks who love me that I don't LIKE getting negative blood tests, because they mean nothing at all. While I don't want to get worse, I am still hoping eventually to have SOMETHING pop up in my blood work. I'm not terribly fond of being relegated to UCTD. I'd prefer to know what's going on and be able to face it head on.