Would appreciate input.

I have Rheumatoid Arthritis, Sjorgens, Degenerative Disk Disease, I have been to my Rheumatologist this week and he is testing for lupus.  I have been tested many times and it is always (-).  I have been to have my eyes checked this week and then won't diagnosis but says I could possible have the being of Macular Degeneration.  Does anyone on this board have any of this combination of illness's. I am thirty-nine hears old/female looking for answers.  

[n40066]

i do....i also have a chiari malformation and fibromyalgia and cervical neuropathy.  and everything started when i was in an accident.....at 39 yrs. of age.  sorry you're here, but welcome to my world..i'm now 49.
elizabeth

[karajo]

I too have fibromyalgia and lupus.  Some of my joints are starting to look deformed and I am wondering if I also have RA.  

If you have lupus and you spend time in the sun prior to your ANA being checked it will cause the ANA to be elevated.  Just go to your appointment early and stand, or sit in the sun for 15 or 20 min.  (even if it is a cloudy day - UVA rays are what does it)  If your ANA is still neg, then I don't know.  

What symptoms is making the doc think ou also have lupus?

[soonergirl39]

I have of course RA, sjorgens, fibro, but I also have rashes that itch.  It is like patches on my arm and legs, I also have severe fatigue, boarder like anemia. I have ulcers from time to time in my mouth and nose.  I will also have sore's on my head, but have had sarisosis. I have gotten some lab back and ANA is neg, but I have low Vitamin D that I can't keep up to normal levels.  That you for any response.

[karajo]

Sorry it has taken so long to get back w/ you.  Been a busy time of the year.

What are they giving you for the low D?  

Boy, your symptoms really do sound like lupus.  Was this neg ANA after sun exposure?

[soonergirl39]

Sorry I am just getting back to you, I am taking 50000 units of Vitamin D per week and also am taking Caltrate 500mg twice a day. The ANA was after about 10 minutes in the sun.  I try to stay out of the sun because it makes me itch and I  burn very easily.

[karajo]

There is a medication that is prescribed to both RA and lupus patients.  It is called plaquinel.  You could ask you dr. what he/she thinks about that.  W/ the macular degeneration this ed might not be a good selection, but they should know.

[soonergirl39]

I have been on plaquinel for five years, so I don't know what to think.  The Rhuemy says he doesn't think lupus, so I don't know.

[karajo]

Plaquinel can make the ANA read negative.  (this is what I understand)  I haven't tried spending time in the sun prior to the ANA test since I was started on plaquinel, but I know it made a big difference when I was going through the dx process.  

The things that I have found that helps the symptoms are cutting back on sugar (eliminating), eating fresh vegs and fruits, staying out of the sun and trying not to stress out about things.

[soonergirl39]

Thank you for all your advice.  My diet isn't good but I will try to correct that and see what happens.

[karajo]

I called the folks at the lupus foundation.  301-670-9292 or 800-558-0121.  Spoke w/ a medical advisor who told me that for some unknown reason the ANA can be elevated and then turn negative, then turn postive.  I told her my ANA was 1:2,560.  Is there anything else beside lupus that can cause an ANA of that elevation?  She told me there is nothing else but lupus.  

She also told me that because of the ANA being so unpredictable, it is an unreliable way of determining lupus activity.  Elevated ANA, or negative ANA does not indicate disease activity.  

www.itzarion.com/lupusana.html  (ANA test: what does it mean?)