Go see a rheumatologist. The ANA alone points to autoimmune disease. Some people have a positive ANA without having autoimmune disease, but I would definitely see a rheumy. Autoimmune disease is nothing to play with.
I am not convinced it is autoimmune and am looking for suggestions of other things I should look at besides autoimmune. Even a list that I could check out would be very helpful
I agree with "Chick". A rheumatologist is who you need to see. Especially since you PC is giving you the brush-off. Autoimmune diseases can flare up one day and settle down the next leaving you thinking - was I horribly sick yesterday or was that all in my head. Then hit you again within hours.
Here is an example of some common symptoms associated with lupus, which is one of the many AI diseases out there.
There are 11 criteria for a lupus dx. You must have at least 4 of the 11 to recieve a dx.
They are:
1. malar rash over cheeks (butterfly rash) (74%)
2. discoid rash, red raised patches
3. photosensitivity - reaction to sunlight, resulting in skin rash (50%)
4. oral and nose ulcers
5. arthritis (95%)
6. serositis - inflamation of the lining of the lung or heart
7. reanl disorder - excessive protein in urine and/or cellular casts
8. neurologic disorder - seizures, or psychosis
9. anemia or low white blood count or lymphopenia or low platelet count
10. positive ANA
11. positive anti-DNA or anti-Sm, or antiphospholipid antibody or false pos. syphilis test
Other symptoms are:
fever (90-95%)
low vit D levels
abdominal pain
chest pain
shortness of breath
blood in urine
hair falling out (27%)
fatigue (90%)
muscle pain and weakness (90%)
dizziness
poor memory
headaches
poor circulation in fingers and toes
tingling in extremities
diarrhea
bloating
nausea
weight loss
blurred vision
depression
palpitations
raynauds (where fingers turn white when cold)
intollerance to cold
sore throat
lymph node swelling (50%)
...to name a few
I know that know one wants to think they may have auto-immune disease, it is a scary diagnosis. Just know that, although there is no cure, a lot of the symptoms can be managed with proper monitoring and medication. But to get that treatment and monitoring, you have robe diagnosed. If you see a rheumatologist, best case you find out you don't have auto-immune disease, if you do, you learn what to expect, what your treatment options are and get the medication you need to manage the disease.
No one is going to tell you that living with AI is easy, it is not. But it is a lot easier with treatment than without. And Lupus is just one AI disease, and not even the most common one. I know this because I have multiple AI diseases and none of them are Lupus. With AI, sometimes you're the windshield, sometimes you're the bug, but on the windshield days you can forget you are AI for a little while. On top of AI disease I also have fibromyalgia and neck and back injuries which are far more debilitating to me on a day to day basis. Sure, I have the occasional flare, which is no fun at all, but for the most part I have lived a pretty normal life with AI.
Please see a rheumatologist so at least you know what you are dealing with.
I hate autocorrect almost as much as auto-immune, lol, please read the above knowing that autocorrect bit me a couple of times in the above post.
I see a pulmonary person tomorrow. I do not do meds so that is not an option for me regardless of what is going on. I am leaning at the moment toward Lyme Disease again. I will be demanding a couple of Lyme tests when I see her. I am looking for some doc online to list what can cause these increased labs and then I will make my own decision. THe docs in my area do nto know anything and do nothing except collect their paycheck and make more money for the hospital. They like to fire you because you are asking questions and trying to determine what is going on. And then say it is all in your head regardless of waht the tests indicate. So I have no faith in a doctor's diag. I have faith in my own research based on knowing what can cause these increased labs which is all I am looking for - a laundry list for me to investigate.