Effective Treatment Strategies for Ankylosing Spondylitis in Young Patients
Treatment methods My son is currently 18 years old and began experiencing symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis two years ago, with a diagnosis made one year ago. I have the following questions: 1) For the past six months, my son has been taking two capsules of Celebrex (200 mg ea...
Dr. Zeng Guosen Reply:
1) It is effective, and it is recommended to continue taking it while adjusting the dosage over time. 2) Do not consider switching to immunomodulators for now. 3) Only if CRP/ESR remains high after medication can one apply for biologics. 4) SIMPONI is not suitable for children un...[Read More] Effective Treatment Strategies for Ankylosing Spondylitis in Young Patients
Impact of COVID-19 Vaccines on Inflammatory Markers in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis
COVID-19 Vaccines and Inflammatory Markers Hello Doctor: I am a patient with ankylosing spondylitis and have been taking Secukinumab for a year. My inflammatory markers were under control, but after receiving the first dose of the BNT vaccine on September 27, I noticed an increas...
Dr. Zeng Guosen Reply:
1) In outpatient experience, there have been cases where inflammation markers worsened after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, with literature reporting approximately 5%. 2) This has been observed in various rheumatic patients and with different vaccines. 3) The duration of the imp...[Read More] Impact of COVID-19 Vaccines on Inflammatory Markers in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis
Does COVID-19 Vaccination Worsen Ankylosing Spondylitis Symptoms?
Will getting the COVID-19 vaccine worsen the condition of ankylosing spondylitis? Hello Doctor: My child is a patient with ankylosing spondylitis and has been taking Secukinumab for a year. The inflammatory markers have been under control. On September 27, he received the first d...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your inquiry. Here are my responses: 1) In your clinical experience, how common is it for patients with rheumatic diseases to experience worsening conditions after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine? --> I only have personal experience and no national statist...[Read More] Does COVID-19 Vaccination Worsen Ankylosing Spondylitis Symptoms?
Is Daily Use of Celecoxib Effective for Managing Ankylosing Spondylitis?
Is this considered an effective treatment? My son is currently 18 years old and started showing symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis two years ago, with a diagnosis made one year ago. I have the following questions: 1) For the past six months, my son has been taking two capsules ...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your inquiry. Here is my response summarized as follows: 1) My son has been taking 2 capsules of Celecoxib (200 mg) daily for the past six months, which has kept his CRP around 0.3 mg/dL and ESR around 12, and he has not experienced any pain (previously he ...[Read More] Is Daily Use of Celecoxib Effective for Managing Ankylosing Spondylitis?
Should We Change Medications for Ankylosing Spondylitis Management?
Should the medication be changed? Hello Doctor: My child (born June 2003, currently 18 years and 6 months old) developed ankylosing spondylitis in June 2019 (symptoms only included sacroiliac joint pain, with no morning stiffness). However, he was only diagnosed with ankylosing s...
Dr. Zeng Guosen Reply:
1. At that time, the patient was unable to stabilize their condition with the current medication, so it may be worth trying the new medication recently; if it proves ineffective, we can switch back. 2. It may be worth trying the new medication recently; if it proves ineffective, ...[Read More] Should We Change Medications for Ankylosing Spondylitis Management?
Understanding Your ANA Test Results: Do They Indicate Lupus?
Is it systemic lupus erythematosus? This is my second follow-up report, and the ANA titer is still 1:640, the same as the first time. All other further examination indices are normal. The doctor said that my two 640 results are quite high, which suggests that I likely have system...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your question. The diagnosis of lupus erythematosus involves not only the antinuclear antibody (ANA) test but also the evaluation of other clinical symptoms and laboratory indicators. In addition to your current test results, you may discuss with your physici...[Read More] Understanding Your ANA Test Results: Do They Indicate Lupus?
Understanding Persistent Elevated Body Temperature After Vaccination
Body temperature issues Hello Doctor, I received the BNT vaccine on November 25th, and for the past three weeks, my body temperature has been consistently elevated. I have been measuring my ear temperature (pulling the ear back and inserting the thermometer deeply), which ranges ...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, 1. It is considered slightly elevated, but it does not reach the level of a true fever (38°C). 2. It is recommended to visit the Infectious Diseases outpatient clinic for a detailed fever evaluation. If everything is normal, you can feel more at ease. 3. It is advisable ...[Read More] Understanding Persistent Elevated Body Temperature After Vaccination
Understanding Persistent Low-Grade Fever After Vaccination: What You Need to Know
Elevated body temperature? Hello Doctor, I received the BNT vaccine on November 25th, and for the past three weeks, my body temperature has been consistently elevated. I have been measuring my ear temperature (inserting the thermometer as deeply as possible) and it ranges from ap...
Dr. Liao Zhongxin Reply:
1. Women's body temperature is indeed relatively higher during menstruation, while it tends to be lower at other times. 2. Generally, a person's body temperature can fluctuate throughout the day; for example, it is lowest in the morning upon waking and tends to be highe...[Read More] Understanding Persistent Low-Grade Fever After Vaccination: What You Need to Know
Understanding Ankylosing Spondylitis: Managing Inflammation and Treatment Options
Ankylosing spondylitis has fluctuating levels of inflammation markers? Doctor: A young male, 18 years old, was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis at the end of 2020 and started taking Celebrex (200 mg). Below are the CRP (mg/dL) / ESR (mm/hr) and medication records: 2020/11/...
Dr. Zeng Guosen Reply:
1. BNT may lead to instability in certain immune inflammatory diseases. 2. If the ESR is significantly elevated but there are no symptoms, it is advisable to monitor the situation; further investigation should be conducted if abnormalities arise. 3. Disease control includes: ...[Read More] Understanding Ankylosing Spondylitis: Managing Inflammation and Treatment Options
Does BNT Vaccine Affect ESR Levels in Patients with Inflammation?
Will the ESR value increase after receiving the BNT vaccine? Hello Doctor! My son is 18 years old and has stiffness. Over the past year, his CRP/ESR levels have been as follows: - 2021/03/31: CRP - 9.6 / ESR - 36 - 2020/12/22: CRP - 11.8 / ESR - 36 - 2020/11/24: CRP - 16.2 / ...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your question. Firstly, it is recommended not to monitor CRP and ESR too frequently; generally, checking them every three months is sufficient. These two values naturally fluctuate, and frequent monitoring can lead to difficulties in interpretation and unnece...[Read More] Does BNT Vaccine Affect ESR Levels in Patients with Inflammation?
Understanding Antinuclear Antibodies and Lupus: A Patient's Guide
Antinuclear antibodies in systemic lupus erythematosus? ANA: Speckled 1:640 HLA-B27: Negative E.S.R: 61 Basophils: 1.0 Eosinophils: 1.0 Hemoglobin (Hb): 11.9 Hematocrit (Hct): 36.1 Lymphocytes: 28.2 Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH): 25.3 Mean Corpuscular Hemogl...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your inquiry. Your question regarding elevated ANA and ESR levels indicates that it is essential to further investigate the cause of the elevated ANA. Additional tests may be necessary to confirm your diagnosis, and I recommend consulting a rheumatologist for...[Read More] Understanding Antinuclear Antibodies and Lupus: A Patient's Guide
Understanding Your Rheumatology Test Results: What Do They Mean?
Rheumatology and Immunology Examination Results I have been experiencing pain in my shoulders, neck, arms, and fingers for three months, and rehabilitation has not improved my condition. I consulted a rheumatologist, who ordered blood tests, and the results are as follows: ESR:...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your message. The abnormal findings in your test report indicate a PATTERN of Homogeneous 1/640 (Positive) and a PATTERN of Speckled 1/640 (Positive), which are results for Antinuclear Antibodies (ANA). Antinuclear antibodies are one of the screening indicato...[Read More] Understanding Your Rheumatology Test Results: What Do They Mean?
Understanding Your Blood Test Results: A Guide for Patients
Blood Test Report Could Dr. Hong please take a look at this blood report to see if there are any issues? Thank you. Hb: 13.6 Hct: 40.5 MCH: 29.9 MCHC: 33.6 MCV: 89.0 Platelet count: 221 RBC: 4.55 WBC: 5.22 A-Lym: 0.0 Band: 0.0 Baso: 1.0 Blast: 0.0 Eosin:...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, according to this examination report, the only slightly abnormal finding is the low neutrophil count, but this could also be within normal physiological range. It should be considered alongside your symptoms; if you have no discomfort, there is no need to worry. Thank you ...[Read More] Understanding Your Blood Test Results: A Guide for Patients
Understanding Blood Test Results: What Do They Mean for Your Health?
Blood test results? Other test data source: Test category: Sorted items: Test item name: All. Rotating the mobile screen horizontally will display more data. Test Date | Test Item Name | Test Result 110/08/13 | HCT | 43.5 110/08/13 | HGB | 13.2 110/08/13 | MCH | 21.0 11...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, based on your blood test report: 1. Your blood glucose level is elevated. If this was a fasting blood test, it is recommended to visit a metabolic clinic to check for diabetes. 2. Your oxygen saturation is low, but it is unclear whether the sample was drawn from an arter...[Read More] Understanding Blood Test Results: What Do They Mean for Your Health?
Understanding Elevated hs-CRP Levels in SLE Patients: What You Need to Know
Regarding the inflammatory marker CRP (C-reactive protein)? Hello doctor, I am a patient with SLE. In the past two to three years, I have noticed that my hs-CRP levels in blood tests seem to be elevated, ranging from 30 to 45. However, my doctor hasn't mentioned anything spe...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your question. Was your CRP measured in Taiwan? In Taiwan, the unit for testing is often mg/dL, but the values rarely exceed 30. If it does, it may indicate a more severe inflammation or infection, and physicians typically investigate the cause further. There...[Read More] Understanding Elevated hs-CRP Levels in SLE Patients: What You Need to Know
Understanding Rheumatoid Arthritis: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Concerns
Regarding the diagnosis and medication use for rheumatoid arthritis? Dear Director Gao, I apologize for the length of my inquiry and hope you can take the time to clarify my doubts. Thank you! About a year and a half ago, blood tests revealed that my rheumatoid factor (RF) was...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your questions. Here are my consolidated responses: 1. Can anti-CCP antibodies be present intermittently? (There was a significant difference in test results just five days apart.) Could differences in testing methods cause varying results? Are there differe...[Read More] Understanding Rheumatoid Arthritis: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Concerns
Persistent Fever for Four Weeks: Unraveling the Mystery of Undiagnosed Infection
Fever has persisted for nearly four weeks, and no definitive source of infection has been identified? In the first week, there was a persistent elevated body temperature at night, with an ear temperature above 37.5°C. In the second week, after four to five days, the body temperat...
Dr. Lin Wufu Reply:
Hello: Based on the symptoms and test results you described, the most likely diagnosis is infectious mononucleosis caused by CMV infection. To confirm the diagnosis, a measurement of the viral load of CMV in the blood can be performed. Generally, the condition tends to resolve on...[Read More] Persistent Fever for Four Weeks: Unraveling the Mystery of Undiagnosed Infection
Understanding Chronic Eczema: Treatment, Management, and Concerns
Chronic eczema consultation? Hello, Doctor. I would like to consult you about psoriasis. About six months ago, I visited a dermatologist who diagnosed it as chronic eczema. The doctor prescribed two ointments for me. Initially, after applying them, I felt that the flaking had dim...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Chronic eczema refers to chronic inflammation of the skin and is not a specific disease. In contrast, the conditions you mentioned, psoriasis and lupus, are specific diseases that must be diagnosed by a qualified physician based on the overall clinical condition. However, based o...[Read More] Understanding Chronic Eczema: Treatment, Management, and Concerns
Understanding Finger and Wrist Pain: Is It Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Regarding finger and wrist pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis? Dear Dr. Gao, Hello. Last June, during a routine check-up, I unexpectedly found out that my RF factor was positive. Subsequently, I visited the hospital, where the doctor arranged for additional blood tests. T...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your message. Here are the responses to your questions: 1. Regarding the fluctuations in your Anti-CCP test results: On March 7, the hospital test was normal; on April 20, your self-test showed a significantly elevated level; however, on April 24, another fa...[Read More] Understanding Finger and Wrist Pain: Is It Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Understanding Fever Symptoms: When to Seek Medical Attention
Fever symptoms Hello Dr. Hong: I started experiencing chills and high fever ranging from 38.5 to 40.1 degrees Celsius on February 14. Therefore, I went to the outpatient department for hospitalization on February 17, where I underwent the following tests: blood tests (including c...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, based on your description, it is indeed difficult to determine the cause of the fever of unknown origin. There are a few points to consider: First, rheumatological and immunological issues may be a concern, which is likely why your physician has suspected this and prescr...[Read More] Understanding Fever Symptoms: When to Seek Medical Attention