ANA positive and speckled?

Hi,
Ive got some blood results. They say RF is negative but ANA is positive and speckled.
my symptoms are joint pain all over, iv never had any rashes.
Do you think the results mean that it is something wrong?

[OldFatChick]

Not necessarily.  ANA can be elevated due to many auto-immune diseases, it can, however, be elevated even if you don't have auto-immune disease.  Did they tell you what your levels were?  ANA is generally one of the first tests and then they go by symptoms and other tests to further narrow down the possibilities.  A good rheumatologist is your best bet.

[nellietheelephant]

i dont think it was majorly high, just mildly positive. the joint pains soo bad though, i dont know what to do with myself

[karajo]

What other symptoms do you have?  I know that a person can have rhematoid arthritis and not have a pos. RA factor.  Eventually the labs will show up what is really going on.  

My advice to you is to ask if your ANA could be checked again sometime soon.  Spend time in the sun prior to your test. (even if it's a cloudy day)  (about 15 min)  If you have lupus it will cause your ANA to spike.  Meanwhile, stay out of the sun, try to destress, drink lots of water, stay away from sugar (in general, eat more healthy).

Other things that can cause joint pain are: (certainly not a complete list)

rhematoid and osteo arthritis
lupus
Sjogrens
celiac disease
Bursitis
Chondromalacia patellae
Gout (especially found in the big toe)

diseases, including
◦Epstein-Barr viral syndrome
◦Hepatitis
◦Influenza
◦Lyme disease
◦Measles (rubeola)
◦Mumps
◦Parvovirus
◦Rheumatic fever
◦Rubella (German measles)
◦Varicella (chickenpox)

Injury, including fracture
•Osteoarthritis
•Osteomyelitis
•Septic arthritis
•Tendinitis

A rhematologist will take an overview of symptoms along with various labs and come up with a dx.  Usually any autoimmune disease takes time (sometimes years) to put all the puzzle pieces together.  So keep very good records of symptoms, even if they wax and wane.  Most autoimmune diseases have symptoms that come and go.  

[karajo]

ANA Speckled Pattern

A.Most common, least specific

B.Disorders
1.Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
2.Mixed Connective Tissue Disease
3.Scleroderma
4.Sjogren's Syndrome

C.Further evaluation
1.Smith Antibody (Anti-Smith)
2.Ribonucleoprotein Antibody (Anti-RNP)
3.Scl-70 kD kinetochore (Anti-Topoisomerase I)
4.Anti-La (Anti-SSB)

[nellietheelephant]

hey thanks for your reply. i saw a rheumatologist and he said it could just be because i have raynauds or coz i have another autoimmune condition. but hes going to do some strange other blood tests just incase. need to look up what they are for! some sort of DNA antibodies,

er painly just joint pain in all joints in arms and legs, and some minor swelling at MCPs, not much else, though i have been getting headaches lately

[karajo]

What about fatigue. Have you been tired?

[nellietheelephant]

not especially. Im always pretty tired, but iv had problems with iron deficiency and things so its hard to tell.

[karajo]

Sorry for the delay in my response.  

Chances are this will reveal itself eventually or just fade away and leave you wondering if it ever meant anything.  There is a % of healthy folks that have a positive ANA.  

What was the level of your ANA?  

Many autoimmune diseases are difficult to dx.  And sometimes take years for all the puzzle pieces to come together.

[Katarina2010]

When I was 15, I was hospitalized with kidney infection and quickly found out I was alergic (allergic) to penicillin.  That was a long time ago, since then I have had many UTI's, hospitalized twice with Kidney Infections, once with pneumonia, have had several unexplained rashes on different parts of body, endometritis, and shingles once.  Last spring after UV light facial treatment broke out with bad rash on face which ended up on neck and chest.  After 3 months was finally referred to Rheumatologist with ANA 320 (3X)  I was also feeling sore, lethargic and continuous headaches.  She diagnosed Lupus and started me on Prednisone and Plaquenil, had to get off Prednisone after 3 months on various doses and Plaquenil finally kicked in after almost 5 months.  I had to move to new city and lost first Rheumi, the next one was very skeptical (my rash was under control) and my ANA was negative so she said I was fine.  I was feeling very crappy that day and said I was not fine and wanted tests redone.  Finally got results with ANA 1280 Homogenous.  An Internist got those results and again said I had Lupus, but when he retested it was negative again.  Now I will have to go see another Rheumi (have moved again for work) and afraid I am going to get tossed out.  I know how I feel, I flush when I am tired or excited, if in room with florescent lighting or outside even with sunscreen it gets worse and I get bad headache and nauseas.  Have gone through shoulders so sore I need help dressing, sore and swollen knees, and always sore thigh muscles.  When your ANA is negative they give you that look like you are wasting their time, how do I convince a new Doctor to take me seriously so that I know I have their support?

[kashif8402]

my sister had sweling on her face in early. i got her complete lab test. she was diagnosed hepatitus (hepatitis) c, and mild effusion. i consulted physician and after some time she felt difficulty in breathing and fatigue. doctor advised that she has water in her lungs. doctror also suggested that she has TB and started TB treatment. Now she undergone pericardictory recently. after cardiac surgery she has positive ANA. I am worry and want to know the complexties and treatment of this effect. i shall be thankful to all.  

[silverfox67]

You may have Fibromyalgia.  If so, inflammation causes pain all over the body, joints and muscles.  It is recommended that one avoid tomatoes, potatoes, egg plant and mushrooms as they can aggravate the pain.  I take Essiac and old Osage Indian remedy which really helps me.  Also I take Gabapentin (Neurontin) when the pain gets excessive.  I hope this helps you.  See a rheumatologist.

[karajo]

Hi Katarina,
I'm so sorry I overlooked your reply.  That was way back in June.  
I too had a high ANA before treatment 160, then 320, then 640, then it jumped to 2,560 after spending time in the sun.  That's when I was put on plaquinel.  (which made a tremendous difference)  But ever since that my ANA has been negative, even after spending time in the sun.  I've talked to several people  who says they too have a neg ANA after treatment started.  I also talked to the lupus foundation and they said that ANA levels can vary and even be neg and is not a good indicator of disease activity.  When I asked them what else could make an ANA be that high they said only lupus.  My rheumy agrees to keep me on plaquinel because it has helped so much and will even give me a steroid shot when needed.  His dx is fibromyalgia and connective tisuue disease - which I'm OK with.  I really DON'T want a lupus dx.  As long as they treat me like I'm not making all of this up and continue w/ meds, I'm fine with that.  

I'm so sorry you are getting the run-around.  It sound like you move alot.  And that can be very stressful.  I know stress really affects me.  

Are you sleeping well.  That too can aggrevate things.  

Please forgive me for not getting back with you until now.  
Blessings, K