RNP HIGH

In July 2008 I had a postive anachoice screen w/refl ifa.   I also had a ana titer and patter - anti-nuclear ab titer ana pattern of 1.40.  (1.80 elevated antibody level)  My rheumatoid factor is 7 and c-reactive is 0.4.  I have chronic pain and stiffness in my knees, back, hips and wrist. My fingers also swell up and get red.  I am 36 yr old male in reasonablly good health.  I have been going back and forth to rhemo and she again did further testing.  This time my rnp came back 2.45 which is high.  She started me on plaquen (??sp).  I just went to eye dr and am aware of the eye risk with this med.    What can these test suggest and where do I go from here.  She said it can be lupus or syrgonsesn (sp??)  She also said it can tak a while to come out (she said up to 10 yrs)  Just a little concerned and wondering if there are any men with these disease tha can give me some advice and suggestions.  Is there any other test that can help.

[lion919674]

Oh forgot to add that I have torn my left and right calve muscle in less than 8 months.  Can this be related

[txsilver]

I am sorry you are going through this.  I am on plaquenil, too, though for different conditions (but I do have mild sjogren's syndrome.)  Your best bet for finding answers on Lupus is in the Lupus forum here on medhelp.  While we do get some folks with sjogrens here in the arthritis forum, many more post in the autoimmune conditions forum.  
It's good to get a base line on your eyes when you start plaquenil.  That helps them have a starting point to compare to when you get your annual check up - essential while you are on plaquenil.  My eye doc told me that if problems are experienced it is usually after 20 yrs of taking the medicine, but that there are exceptions and so each year your eyes should be checked.  I have 2 side effects from this drug.  First, sometimes my eyes have trouble focusing.  I rest them (close them) for a few and then try again.  That usually does the trick.  Second, I get some crazy vivid dreams.  Really vivid.  Almost real.  Other than that, I have done fine with the med.  I am told it can cause you to lose weight, but the other meds I take can cause you to gain so apparently that is a wash - would be nice to pick and choose our side effects!  I would keep the vivid dreams though.  Sometimes they are nice.