ANA positive, Epstein-Barr positive, & C-reactive proteins elevated

MY ANA was positive (1:640) and homogeneous pattern. I am going to the Rheumatologist in a month (earliest possible visit) but my PCP said that I might have lupus. I also tested positive for Epstein-Barr virus (off the charts level). Other than that, my c-reactive protein was high too. My lym (not sure what this is abbreviated for in WBC) is low-normal. I have intense joint pain, a rash on my cheeks/nose, severe fatigue, low-grade fever, and headaches. I'm only 20...so I'm hoping for the best at the next appointment!

What exactly is c-reactive proteins?
Is there anything other than lupus that shows these types of symptoms/test results?

I have my lab results with me......so if you have a question about them, I can give you numbers! I just want answers.....I'm tired of feeling like this.

[PlateletGal]

Hi ! How long have you been ill ? It does sound like you could have a lupus diagnosis.

The C-Reactive Protein measures inflammation.

[justliveyalife]

I have been feeling like this on and off (sometimes severe joint pain or headaches...but all of the time fatigued) for about 2 months now.

I've seen people writing about their sed rate being elevated on here...what exactly is the sed rate? I don't know for sure if mine were tested, and I think it was..and was in the normal range. Just wondering.

I've always been very active and healthy, then all of a sudden this has hit me like a brick. I'm not even able to work out or exercise without getting short breathed or being tired. I am ready to see what this rhuematologist says I suppose.

[txsilver]

Glad you are seeing a rheumy.  These things come on slow for some and over night for others.  I am not a doctor or even in the medical field, but I will share with you what I know about the sed rate test and the diagnosis process.  

Sed rate is another inflammation indicator.  The higher the sed rate, the more inflammation that is present.  What is actually measured is the rate at which your blood cells separate from the serum.

Doctors run blood work to check for inflamation (inflammation) and antibodies so that they can get a better idea of what is going on with our bodies.  They use the results to narrow in on possibilities and further blood work gets run.  Sometimes you get a false positive or a false negative in the results so the blood work cannot by itself diagnose the cause of your symptoms.  Results of the blood tests are combined with your symptoms, examination and other tests results to provide a diagnosis.

Some times it can take a long time to get a diagnosis and sometimes things fall in line very quickly.  I hope this is a very quick process for you with the best possible news.