AUTOIMMUNE DISORDERS COMMUNITY
Am I an autoimmune ticking time-bomb?? +++ANA, +ASMA, +RF

Am I an autoimmune ticking time-bomb?? +++ANA, +ASMA, +RF

After my first pregnancy, I developed an itchy, red rash on my hips and back that lasted one year (until I weaned). My OB thought I might be allergic to my own breastmilk (he's nuts). The dermatologist was no help with steroid creams, until she ran an ANA test and did a biopsy of the rash. The biopsy showed some mucin but not much else. My ANA was the highest value you can have and I went to a rheumatologist who also found I had Rheumatoid Factor and Anti-Smooth Muscle Antibody. I had a butterfly rash on my face and some sun sensitivity during much of that time.  But my ESR was normal to low, so I had no active inflammation, and the Doc simply said "Call me when your joints start to hurt." He suspected RA or Lupus; I read ASMA was tied to Autoimmune Hepatitis.

Well 4 years later and after a second successful pregnancy, I have been nursing my daughter for 2 years with no rash and no problems other than intermittent IBS-diarrhea which I've had for many years.

My question is, should I repeat my bloodwork for autoantibodies when I'm feeling well? Could they possibly come back negative this time?  Is the fact that I had an autoimmune  flare of some sort a guarantee than something is brewing inside me? What does a positive ANA, RF and ASMA point to?
Related Discussions
Avatar_f_tn
I remember now. My ANA was 1:1280 and a speckled pattern if that helps. Thanks!
Blank
Post a Comment
To
Comment
Post A Comment
Go
Blank
Weight Tracker
Reach your weight goal faster
Start Tracking Now
MedHelp Health Answers
Submit
Top Autoimmune Answerers
1530171_tn?1336156566
Blank
Nikodicreta
London, ON
434278_tn?1324709825
Blank
karajo
Spearsville, LA
1756321_tn?1337799323
Blank
Red_Star
Queensland, Australia
553995_tn?1332022440
Blank
Phtartist
Ocean, NJ
681148_tn?1285160820
Blank
FurballsMom
798555_tn?1292791151
Blank
LazyMoose
MN
RSS Expert Activity
1741471_tn?1336957856
Blank
LIVE WEBINAR TOMORROW!-SUPER BODY, ... Blank
May 22 by Michael Gonzalez-WallaceBlank
2126606_tn?1335910182
Blank
Fibromyalgia Awareness
May 11 by Clare Waismann Kavin, RASBlank
2126606_tn?1335910182
Blank
Opioid-induced hyperalgesia reduces...
May 03 by Clare Waismann Kavin, RASBlank