why does my lupus blood test (ANA) keeps coming back negative

[roxyhenise]

I was diagnosed with  Lupus soon after I was out of the military, once I enrolled with the VA Medical System Care my (ANA) blood test started to coming back negative, at the beginning doctors said my Lupus was on remission, however, 4 years later after I was diagnosed they say that there is no reason to believe I have Lupus because most of my symptoms are not there except for the chronic pain all over my body. Well...mostly is focus on the left side of my body, from my head (cluster headaches) to the bottom of my toes (nerve, and muscle pain).
I forgot to mention I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia just when I was about to get out of the Army, so doctors told me not long ago, that it might be just fibromyalgia.
What should I do?
thanks
Roxy Henise

[donjoe341]

My husband, my son and myself have been battling lyme disease. This is something you should look into because it weakens the immune system setting our bodies up for autoimmune conditions. My husband and I were both diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Our fibromyalgia pain has gotten so much better since we have been in treatment for lyme disease. Being in the army means you do a lot of work outside in all kinds of vegetation. You don't have to have a bullseye rash and getting a negative test result does not mean you don't have it. The testing for lyme disease is very poor. I should know because I had 4 tests and they all came back negative. It wasn't until I was put on antibiotics for 3 months and retested that the test came back positive. Testing works because your body makes antibodies against the infection and these antibodies is what is used to get a positive or negative test result. The problem is if your immune system has been compromised by lyme you may not make enough antibodies to show an infection. If you need more info you can contact me. Lyme disease is very under diagnosed in this country because of such poor testing.

[Dr Prasad, MBBS]

Thanks for query.
One of the best ways to diagnose lupus is to get an ANA  profile done, other invstigations  required are RA factor, le cell, CRP as a completion of the connective tissue work up. Whether or not it is SLE, treatment  more or less revolves around steroids. Get a total CPK done to rule out fibromyositis.
Wish u good health.