? type of autoimmune disorder

I have been diagnosed with undifferentiated autoimmune disorder.  I have a ANA of 1:160 with a speckled and dot pattern, slightly elevated SMA, Normal Liver function test, no evidence of any live disfunction, CT scan normal liver.  What can expect in the progression of this disorder?  Will I develope autoimmune hepatitis?

[OldFatChick]

Hi Lori.  I have undifferentiated connective tissue disease, as well.  Right now I am doing pretty well.  What symptoms were you experiencing that resulted in the diagnosis?  It sounds as if your liver is functioning fine. The frustrating thing about auto-immune disease is that it manifests differently from one person to the next.  You may go for month or years and never get any worse than you are now, on the other hand, you could end up being one of those unlucky ones that gets everything.  I have been diagnosed with UCTD, Sjogren's Syndrome and hypothyroidism.  I am on meds for all and am mostly symptom free when I take my meds as I should.  I do have to warn about NSAIDS.  I had GERD for years and I also had a hiatal hernia.  After a few years of Naproxen, the gastro issues went from bad to worse.  Be careful and try to avoid if possible. I just had surgery to remove my gallbladder, repair the hiatal hernia and a total hysterectomy in March and I am here to tell you that you MUST stay on your meds post-op.  Just remember that just because you have an auto-immune disease, you are not destined to get any particular related disease.  This stuff is a crap-shoot and you just don't know.  Just make sure you find a GOOD rheumatologist and keep your rheumy up to date with your symptoms. Good luck!

[lori0461]

Thanks for your reply,
The symptoms that led me to going to the rheumatologist were, very low white counts, joint swelling, nails pealing, hair loss, gross fatigue, intolerance to heat, recurrent respiratory infections.  I really felt horrible.  I was put on Plaquenil about 6 mos ago and am doing better.  They thought I had lupus but also had many symptoms that mimicked other autoimmune diseases. My rhumatoligist is great, at least I know it's not all in my head.

[karajo]

From what I read @ http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/asma/test.html  It said that the SMA (smooth muscle antibody) is usually performed after an elevated liver ensyme test is found elevated.  What prompted them to do the SMA?  Were you having symptoms?

[lori0461]

Hi Karajo,
They did a battery of blood test, to try to figure out what was wrong with me.  The SMA was part to the Rhum panel ordered.  The only symptoms (GI) was bloating, I thought my gallbladder might have been inflammed orginally so I had an ultrasound which showed normal gallbladder but did show a mass on my liver.  Did a CT scan to comfirm the US,  CT scan was normal no masses seen my liver was completely normal.  All liver function tests were normal.   All the liver stuff was done before I was even diagnosed with the autoimmune disorder.   I work in surgery, so I had many doctors to confer with including GI docs, they are as baffled as I am.  The Rhumatologist I have is extremely through.  I went to another one about a year ago and told there was nothing wrong my ANA back then was normal.  He didn't do any of the same blood work this new doctor did.  She was the only one who took the time to explore each of my symptoms and stated she knew I had an autoimmune disordered but my symptoms mimicked 3, orginally was thought to have lupus.  The positive SMA threw me for a loop.  Everything I read was horrible.  The GI doc I talked with stated unless the Liver Functions are off there is little to worry about.  But I wonder, will my liver function become abnormal because to the positive SMA.  I just want to know if at possible what I should be looking for if anything.  I feel like I'm in a holding pattern.  

[karajo]

"The only GI symptoms are bloating"  I have that as well and don't know what causes that.  It often happens in the evening.  

Exactly what symptoms are you having?  What made them decide you had the connective tissue disorder?

I asked my rhematologist about the liver question too because I periodically have an elevated bilirubin in my urine. (which shows up much sooner than even the liver function test will show liver problems)  She assured me that if lupus was causing problems in my liver, it would show up on the liver enzyme test.  So I have decided not to worry about it.  Have you been nauseous?

[kjelltp]

Bloating is caused by the stomach not being able to properly digest, and thus  the food ferments and causes gas.    You gets this if you have a weak GI system or other inflammatory conditions.  Very often seen in autoimmune disease.. I had this all the time too (+reflux), now seldom if at all (unless I eat "junk", which I seldom do).   Working on a healthy GI system is probably one of the key things anyone with autoimmune dysfunction should do.  Personally I followed the blood type diet, and used several herbal remedies and probiotics to make the GI more functional.  

[lori0461]

Hi,
I just wasn't feeling right.  I'm sort of a typeA person with excess engery.  The last year I had extreme fatigue, fogginess,joint swelling and stiffiness in all joints but especially in my fingers, wrists and ankles.  This increased in the mornings after getting out of bed.  I had to wake up at least an hour before I needed to just to get my hands more limber. I started loosing my hair, eye brows, my nails were pealing, my appetite sucked.  I lost weight, For the last 3 years have had very low white blood counts and I kept getting upper respiratory infections.  I just couldn't stand it anymore.  I was like an old lady.  I went to the Rhumatologist and her screening took over two hours and 17 vials of blood.  I was tested before and my ANA was always normal, but this last time I converted in a big way.  That's when I found out it truely was an autoimmune issue.  I have had an increase in the bloating especially after eating for approx the last three years.  I was told to increase the fiber, which really didn't work except to increase the bloating.  I am very careful of what I eat.  I don't have any nausea, and only on occasion abdominal discomfort.I was told by the Rhumy that I will need to have LFT's (liver function tests) every 6 mos to see if there are any changes.  I never had any bili spill in my urine. It was just a fluke that she caught the SMA.  My Rhumy also ordered a bacteria over growth test.  With autoimmune issues it not unsual so I'm told to have an over growth of bacteria in the colon which could also cause the bloating.  I'm awaiting my test to come back.  As I stated before I am feeling better after being treated with the Plaquenil. I hope and pray the road ahead will be uncomplicated and very slow to progress.

[karajo]

Hi Lori,

It sounds like your dr. is keeping an eye on everything.  

I would encourage you to try the fiber along w/ plenty of water.  They say to take your weight and drink half of that in ounces.  If you weight 120 pounds, you would need to drink 60 ounces of water.  Some say this is just too much, but it would be a good goal.  I take a product I buy @ Wal-Mart called "Fiber Therapy".  

How long have you been on plaquinel?

[lori0461]

Hi Karajo.
I have been on Plaqenil since Octobr.  It is a God send.  Though my joints are still sore daily, they are better than before. my hair and nails have returned.  My eye brows are stll very thin.  .  It's an improvement, I was starting to think I was crazy with all the symptoms.  It is so nice to have at least a few answers.  I will be going on Pro Biotic Vits very soon for the bloating like kjelltp from one of the post stated it worked for him. GI doc also recommened the vits.  I 'm going to give it try.  I hope your Rhum is also keeping an eye on you.  I wish us both the best.  It's a scary road but with knowledge, support and treatment I know we'll do much better.  Keep me informed.  Thanks for the replys and info.  I means a lot to me know there are others that are going through what I am.  It is nice to get information on what worked and didn't work for them. chat with you soon.