New Rheumatologist Visit – Vectra DA Blood Test

Published April 13, 2012 | By Tanya Martin

This week I had my first visit with the new Rheumatolgist, Dr. Solomon Forouzesh in Culver City. It was a good first visit, the doctor listened and discussed the issues I have been having with my Rheumatoid Arthritis also known as Rheumatoid Autoimmune Disease (see we refuse to be mislabeled). During my visit I was able to have my blood tests done and a bone density test right there in the office. That was pretty nice, not to do any other paperwork for labs or go somewhere else for tests. Not that I had it hard with my Rheumatologist in Indiana, everything was just down the hall which was also nice. Lloyd even brought in his camera and was able to get some photos throughout the visit without any issues.

During the visit I asked for muscle relaxers, I had tried Flexeril before and knew it did help. I thought maybe it caused some depression during my use of it during the end of 2010. But I realized that it was probably a depression because I knew I was no longer in remission (see Sustained Rheumatoid Arthritis Remission Is Rare). So far this has helped relieve some of the pain so I can sleep better at night. The weight of my blanket does not seem to bother me now, before adding the Flexeril the blankets felt heavy, the tenderness in my feet, knees and hips would increase because of the weight of the blankets.

One of the blood test that I had blood drawn for was a Vectra DA blood test. The doctor suggested we might be the first to blog about the Vectra DA test but we are not. RA warrior has discussed the test in a few posts like A Paradigm Shift in Rheumatoid Arthritis Disease Activity and Evidenced-based Medicine or Easy-bake Oven: Tension Between Evidence and Reality.

Just a few blood tests, including the Vectra DA.

I will be heading back to the doctors in 10 days to get an ultrasound of my thyroid as well as the results of my tests. I am wondering if the bone density test will show any damage to the spine. I know there is some in my neck area because the last scan of it to check my swollen lymph nodes showed damage starting in the throughout the upper spine (see Can Rheumatoid Arthritis Affect the Spine and Spine Health). I am having an ultrasound to check out the thyroid because the previous scans show a nodule in the thyroid.

Have you had the Vectra DA blood test? What do you think of this new test?