lupus ?????

Hello...here is my brief history...I am a 26 year old white female.  3 years ago, right after the birth of my son I had friend die from lupus.  I started having bi-lateral knee pain.  I was sure I had lupus.  I went to 3 doctors and had a ton of blood test, ANA, RA, C3, C4, sjorgens., metalbolic, urinalysis.  All neg, so I was fine.  A year ago I had a huge ulcer on my togue and about 3 on my gums.  I went to my family doctor he gave me an antibiotic and wanted to run blood work, we called me and said that my blood work at fine expect that my ANA was post. 1:160 homogenous.  I was soo-upset because al of my fears of lupus came back.  I contacted a rheumatologist and Unv. of Penn.  He said that with no other symptoms I shouldn't be overally concerned so I went on with my life and I felt fine.  That brings me to the present.  I am in Nurisng school and was sent for a ton og mandatory blood work for school.  My family doctor called me and said that my RPR was reactive 1:1 and the confirmatory test was negative, so it was a false post. he didn't seemed concerned but after researching online.  I amm so-afraid that is so lupus and that since I had this false postivie test I must anit0cardiplin antibodies.  Can I really have a false positive RPR and not have a disease?  ALso when I had that Positive ANA test I was on a high protein diet, could that have caused it.  Thanks you for your time.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

A diagnosis of lupus is made via clinical symptoms, along with the ANA test.  The ANA test alone does not give a diagnosis of lupus.  The typical symptoms are as follows:

# Unexplained nonspecific symptoms such as fever, fatigue, weight loss, or anemia.
# Photosensitive rash
# Arthralgia or arthritis
# Raynaud phenomenon
# Serositis (pleuritis, pericarditis, peritonitis)

Note that there is a substantial portion of the population who have a positive ANA without disease.  This can range between 5 to 10 percent depending on how high the titer was.

If you are still concerned, you can consider another rheumatological opinion.  

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.
kevinmd_

[Belledonna]

I would like to recommend a great website  to you :DXLupux.org-------you can learn alot about Lupus as well as what to do about it.