Can I have ANA test, Rheumatoid factor and RA positives and not beenn diagnose for nothing?

All the labs mentiones before are positive also anti-Sm and proteins in urine, but the Rheumathologist says it is ok.  If you experienced somthing else come back. What else she is waiting for?  I'm always feeling tires, with headaches and abdominal pain.

[TrudieC]

I am shocked she is not treating you.  My rheumy wasn't sure if I had RA or Lupus (ANA was positive one time, negative the next), had a high RF factor (low the next time) among other results.  He put me on plaquenil and around the clock ibuprofen.  After 5 months I am seeing a big improvement in my symptoms which are now looking to settle on Lupus.  I would be asking for a 2nd opinion.

[karajo]

Hi Nydia,

I know it's frustrating, but so many times Drs. cautiously approach diagnosing autoimmune diseases.  For many reasons.  Once you are dx w/ say Lupus, you can NEVER get life insurance.  Before I was dx, I just knew I had something serious and literally crawled to the computer and sent off for some life insurance.  I'm so glad I did.  Because even though I'm doing good now, I wouldn't have that opportunity to purchase this insurance.  There is also the stigma that goes along w/ an incurable disease.

Just so you know, there are 11 criteria for a lupus dx.  One must have at least 4 out of the 11 for a dx.  So what you dr. is doing is putting ALL the puzzle pieces together.  Because not everybody who has an elevated ANA has lupus, but I would certainly think that if you had elevated RF, you would likely have RA.  (I'm not real familiar w/ RA)

The criteria for lupus are:
1. malar rash over cheeks (butterfly rash)
2. discoid rash, red raised patches
3. photosensitivity - reaction to sunlight, resulting in skin rash
4. oral and nose ulcers
5. arthritis
6. serositis - inflamation (inflammation) 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 countor 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:
hair falling out
fatigue
muscle pain and weakness
dizziness
poor memory
headaches
tingling in extremities
diarrhea
bloating
weight loss
abdominal pain
blurred vision
depression
palpitations
raynauds (where fingers turn white when cold)
intollerance to cold
sore throat
...to name a few

(I have a friend w/ RA and sometimes she gets a rash on her face.)  So I'm not sure if that goes along w/ RA too.  That would be a good question for the RA forum.

Let me know how many of these you have.  
Praying for you, Kara