Positive ANA 1:160 Speckled and lot of strange symptoms

[MoriahC321]

I have had a lot of bothersome symptoms in the past year and a half that began with getting very out of breath from just walking slowly. Felt extremely weak to where I couldn't stand up for more than a couple minutes at a time. I also experience shortness of breath at time while doing nothing. The next symptoms that started was raynauds causes my hands and feet turn completely purple and numb. I also have both hand swelling and my hands turn bright red, veins bulge, and pulse. They are also extremely hot to touch and feel like burning. There are other times where just my finger joints are red and have hand swelling. I have been getting rashes on my hands as well that itch veryyy much. I have been getting rashes across my arms, chest, and face in addition to my hands. My face gets extremely red across my nose and cheeks and feels tight and warm. I have two circular red patches on the side-back of my scalp under my hair that are dry, but don't itch. Have chronic back and neck pain, and there are times where my knees hurt so badly, and nothing takes it away. I also lost 18 pounds in about 4-5 months. I also experiences diarreah and horrible cramping numerous times a time, along with bloating, nausea, and sometimes vomiting. I started a gluten free diet which relieved these symptoms a lot, but I still experience episodes of nausea. Headaches all the time. I also have fatigue so badly that I cannot function and usually ahve to just sleep, and the most frustrating symptom is the disconnected feeling or "brain fog". There are sometimes where I sit in front of something for minutes at a time just trying to piece together enough thoughts figure out what I was trying to do in the first place. Horrible memory. I will say things twice in a row because I think I just thought it and was getting ready to say it. I tend to forget what I'm saying in the middle of a sentence on a frequent basis. I had a ANA test in Dec. 2012 that was positive at 1:160 and speckled pattern. I also had a Negative RF test. My family doctor thinks something along the lines of Rheumatoid arthritis or lupus. She referred me to a Rheumatologist, and I waiting to get right now, but feeling this way with and waiting is very hard! I was almost relieved that the test was positive, because I thought I was just going crazy. I tried to act normal and didn't talk to anyone about my symptoms before my dr. but my family and friends could tell something wasn't right. The "brain fog" and seeming out-of-it was the biggest give-away. I"d really appreciate any insight on what these symptoms are common to. Thank you!

[MoriahC321]

Thank you so much for your response. You offered a lot of good points and suggestions so thank you. I'm not sure if phlebitis or cellulitis is causes the symptoms in my hands because the symptoms come and go, but I honestly don't know enough about either to know for sure. I have had my thyroid levels checked on a couple different occasions and they all were normal. I'm pretty familiar with thyroid problems because my mom has an underactive thyroid. Again, I really appreciate the feedback and I will definitely follow up with your suggestions for I have my first appt. with rheumatologist. Thanks!

[karajo]

I don't know what to think about the veins pulsing and hot to touch.  Maybe it is phlebitis or cellulitis.  

In my opinion, you quite possibly might have lupus.  But just so you know, your ANA is considered low, even though it is in the positive range.  Just be aware that more test will be coming.  Meanwhile there are somethings that you might want to try.  There are what we call lupus triggers.  They are sugar, lack of sleep, sun exposure and stress.  I would try to avoid all of these.  But b/4 your next appt w/ the rhematologis, spend time in the sun for about 10 or 15 (even if its cloudy).  If you have lupus, it will cause your ANA to be more elevated.  If you don't have lupus, it won't do a thing.  

Your rhemy will probably order a vit D test along w/ the assorted autimmune test, but if not, you might want to request that one test in particular.  

Have they ruled out anything that might be going wrong w/ your thyroid?  That would also be one of my considerations.