Possible New Diagnosis

Hi. I am 34 years old and recently began having severe headaches behind my eyes.  My eyes have felt swollen and so very dry.  Due to it being so sudden, I went to a neurologist.  He had an MRI, and MRA of the brain, as well as blood work done.  Everything was normal except for one blood test and that was the ANA test.  They said that it was "borderline".  I am not sure what that means.  My only really bothersome symptoms is a constant non-stop headache behind my eyes, my eyes feeling swollen and sore, and blurry, sometimes hazy vision.  I had Lasik done 5 years ago, so I was not sure whether it was regressing or not.  I guess my question is, can these be symptoms of Lupus and what does a borderline blood result mean?  I have an appointment with a Rheumotologist (I think I botched the spelling) next week and am pretty nervous.  I am visiting too many websites.  Some say if I do have Lupus that I can live a normal lifespan, some say I will die tomorrow.  I think I will lay off the websites until I see the doctor!  I look at the normal symptoms of Lupus and I do not have any of those.  Just the swollen feeling in my eyes and the headaches and blurriness.  I appreciate your reponse so much!  I even have an appointment to up my life insurance due to one of the websites that I read!!!  Thank you!

[Kevin Pho, MD]

With a normal MRI and MRA, it would be unlikely that a neurological process is going on.

Dry eyes can be a symptom of Sjogren's syndrome, which is a chronic inflammatory disorder that can lead to dryness of the salivary glands and tear ducts.  

This diagnosis can be evaluated with the following blood tests: complete blood count; serum urea nitrogen, creatinine, aminotransferase enzymes, rheumatoid factor, ANA, anti-Ro/SSA, anti-La/SSB, and protein electrophoresis.

There are more specialized tests that can pin down this diagnosis (i.e. a Schirmer test - which can be discussed with your doctor) - but the rheumatolgy evaluation is the right way to go at this point.  

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
Medical Weblog:
kevinmd_b

[Mother Margaret]

Eyes dry?  Headaches?

These are part of what a chemical exposure can do

Because its primary route of exposure is through the eye membranes

And headaches, is part of what the chemical does, along with an odd assortment of symptoms like what Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome would be.

You don't mention fatigue, though, and that is usually a common denominator.

So, either you wouldn't have enough exposure for this to be 'full blown' OR it is something else altogether.

The 2-butoxyethanol is in lots of products many people use all the time.  Painters are at risk; those who clean; many others.

Also part of what I would suspect for harm to the military since 1930s when it was invented, most noticeable during the first gulf war & cause, in my opinion of 'gulf war syndrome'

This chemical:  http://home.gci.net/~blessing/pages/discoveries.htm#2-b