Quick question to all of you all...

I went to the GP early this morning..and his asst had me get a shot of Toradol to help my severe back and rib pain. I showed him the area that hurt most. He said it was the xiphoid bone..or xiphoid process. The bottom of the sternum I believe?? I never heard ot this..and looked it up in the net, but wanted to know if any of you all had inflammation in this spot as well?? The shot seems to have helped..as this morning he kept asking me to take a deeper breath and I couldnt it hurt so bad.

He also told me that what some of you all mentioned...that the alkaline phosphates test shows elevations in folks with bone damage or trauma. Also in growing children. Hes the PA..and said that they dont think it has anything to do with my liver as so much spondy related. So that made sense. Good gravy, dont I wish I could get those answers from my new Rheumy. The hlab27 test was detected as well. JUST like I told my new Rheumy. Not sure if he's gonna care anyway. My Gp's PA said to see him for my most recent blood work and bone scan results and once thats done..if I dont feel sastisfied with his answers or explanations..to call them and they'll get me the referral for my old rheumy or another rheumy altogether.

Take care everyone..


Toodles!
Angie

I wouldn't mind knowing what a high Alkaline Phosphate (ALP) means either. I would bet a large number of us have raised ALP levels. Mine have been consistantly raised for over a year. I seem to remember there being two different possible causes for a raised ALP, just as you said. And I was told they are able to do other tests to figure out exactly which one it is - yet they never bothered to check it out with me either ..

"So long and thanks for all the fish" - Hitch Hikers Guide To The Galaxy

Hi there..
not sure what it means...I am due to see this same rheumy come Thursday..so I am hoping to get some answers at that point. My GP's PA seemed to think it's all spondy related. They've been caring for me for 8 years, and knew me back when I was doing real well....pre AS days...so they know what I've been going through as opposed to this Rheumatologist. We'll see what happens and will keep you posted on what the tests mean. My PA said my other liver tests were fine, which led him to believe it was possibly due to inflammation. The fact that I had to get a toradol shot for my sternum...perhaps thats why that came out like that way....flare up time..big time. Got a blazing headache right now.

Take care ..



Toodles!
Angie

Buggie,

I have a ruptured xiphoid process (but don't normally mention it in polite company) . It doesn't hurt unless I press on the bump.

I got the bump 25 years ago playing squash in college. I was closely playing the front wall and a smash went past my defenses. Ouch!

Best regards,

jcwinnie

Hi there...
you gave me a good chuckle !

Polite company...I suppose I havent been too polite then LOL

I dont know what the deal was...the thing is I always have the pain in the top of the sternum..not the bottom part. I had a toradol shot...and it helped for a couple of days..but today...its back to the old ball and chain. It hurts to breathe. I got real sharp pains in my midback...and it circles around to the front...with my ribs throbbing when I breathe.

Was there anything that helped it out??

Take care,

Toodles!
Angie

Buggie,

Tincture of time is all.

Glad I could give you a chuckle. My spouse looked over a disability form that I had to complete and laughed when she came to one of my responses (and cried at another):

Do you have problems with oral instructions [ ]Yes [ ]No
Do you have problems with written instructions [ ]Yes [ ]No

My bracketed response to both was "Depends upon their complexity and comprehesibility."

She said, "You should add, 'I haven't lost my sense of humor yet, dammit!' " I didn't, but am thinking about sending the Social Security Administration their "Fickle Finger of Fate" award!

(That was a BBCRC -- Baby Boomer Culturally Relevant Comment.)

Best regards,

jcwinnie


You bet your bippie it was!

Angie, just wanted to let you know that I know nothing about any of this and am now more confused than I was when I started. Seriously, I'm glad your PA is listening, if no-one else is. Sounds like a treasure!

JC, oh my god, the Laugh-in Bippie reference at the bottom of your post almost had me falling off my chair laughing! Thanks! I used to love that show!

Hugs,

Kat

LOL
That's one thing for sure...we cant lose our sense of humor..its what keeps us going with this AS.....if I didnt laugh at it...Lord ..I would be one grumpy little buggy !!

Take care..


Toodles!
Angie

Kat ...
you think YOU are confused...I have that stamped on my forehead with this AS business !!

I understand now. It seems that the xiphoid process is at the bottom of the sternum..more cartlidge than anything...but my PA...physians asst. said it happens with as...as it's cartlidge. I could hardly breathe. It was terrible. The shot did help though.....I dread shots..but the toradol has helped me plenty of times..

Take care..

Toodles!
Angie