Aa
HELP!
I have a few questions that I am hoping someone can help me with. After months and months of testing I just got a high ANA test result. The various antibodies that my doctor tested me for all came back negative. Now he wants to diagnose me with something like "Nonspecific Autoimmune Connective Tissue Disorder". I am suppose to see him in 2 weeks and we will discuss starting some type of steroid treatment. What tests should I ask for before starting the steroids? Any ideas of how to get a more specific diagnosis? Any words of wisdom from anyone who has been there would be very appreciated.
Thank you.
Thank you.
What was your ANA level and pattern?
I too have very dry eyes and personally think it may just go along w/ autoimmune. The soft tissue in the eyes are very vulnerable. I have a friend w/ rheumatoid and she also has very dry eyes and has formed yellow stuff in the corner of hr eyes. Her eye doc said after a while, the dry eyes that go along w/ rhematoid can eventually cause the yellow pockets in the corners. I try to keep systain drops in my eyes.
I don't know, but does joint pain go along w/ sjorgren's?
Exactly which of the lupus symptoms do you have?
Praying for you ~Kara
I too have very dry eyes and personally think it may just go along w/ autoimmune. The soft tissue in the eyes are very vulnerable. I have a friend w/ rheumatoid and she also has very dry eyes and has formed yellow stuff in the corner of hr eyes. Her eye doc said after a while, the dry eyes that go along w/ rhematoid can eventually cause the yellow pockets in the corners. I try to keep systain drops in my eyes.
I don't know, but does joint pain go along w/ sjorgren's?
Exactly which of the lupus symptoms do you have?
Praying for you ~Kara
I wouldnt do the steroids just in case you have a nematode infection,but I am not sure
I'm bumping this back up in the hopes someone may see it and be able to help. Thanks.
I definitely have some, but not most of the lupus symptoms. I am seeing a Rhuem and he tested me for lupus with some type of lupus panel. Except for the ANA everything else showed up negative. I am pretty sure I have Sjogrens (although I don't think it has affected my mouth yet, just really bad dry eyes.) I don't have the rash for lupus.
I have lots of pain in my hands and feet, SEVERE fatiuge, low grade fevers, palpitations, weight loss/decreased appetite, headaches poor memory, hot flashes
I noticed the blood in urine as a symptom. I've had that microscopically for years...had a bladder/kidney workup about 10 years ago and they found nothing.
It is so frustrating that these tests don't seem to really be all that accurate...in other words my Rhuem said that we have finally ruled in an autoimmune disorder, but we haven't really ruled any of them out. Does that make sense?
I have lots of pain in my hands and feet, SEVERE fatiuge, low grade fevers, palpitations, weight loss/decreased appetite, headaches poor memory, hot flashes
I noticed the blood in urine as a symptom. I've had that microscopically for years...had a bladder/kidney workup about 10 years ago and they found nothing.
It is so frustrating that these tests don't seem to really be all that accurate...in other words my Rhuem said that we have finally ruled in an autoimmune disorder, but we haven't really ruled any of them out. Does that make sense?
I just read your first post. Sorry about that. I see your ANA was 1:1,260. That is a significant amount, plus you have other symptoms that would build on that dx.
Look at these lupus symptoms and let me know if these some familar.
They 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 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
abdominal pain
chest pain
shortness of breath
blood in urine
hair falling out
fatigue
muscle pain and weakness
dizziness
poor memory
headaches
poor circulation in fingers and toes
tingling in extremities
diarrhea
bloating
nausea
weight loss
abdominal pain
blurred vision
depression
palpitations
raynauds (where fingers turn white when cold)
intollerance to cold
sore throat
...to name a few
Look at these lupus symptoms and let me know if these some familar.
They 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 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
abdominal pain
chest pain
shortness of breath
blood in urine
hair falling out
fatigue
muscle pain and weakness
dizziness
poor memory
headaches
poor circulation in fingers and toes
tingling in extremities
diarrhea
bloating
nausea
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 hope I can help.
First off, your dr. is thinking you have some sort of autoimmune disorder. Is this your general dr. or a rhematologist. It would proabably be helpful if you saw a rhematologist. Also, what are your symptoms. A good dr. looks at the whole picture....symptoms as well as lab.
There are other options beside steroids, which eat away at the bones and joints. Plaquinel is probably the first choice a rhematologist would go with and periodically use steroids to pull you out of a big flare.
What was your ANA level and pattern?
First off, your dr. is thinking you have some sort of autoimmune disorder. Is this your general dr. or a rhematologist. It would proabably be helpful if you saw a rhematologist. Also, what are your symptoms. A good dr. looks at the whole picture....symptoms as well as lab.
There are other options beside steroids, which eat away at the bones and joints. Plaquinel is probably the first choice a rhematologist would go with and periodically use steroids to pull you out of a big flare.
What was your ANA level and pattern?
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