Elevated ANA and chiari

[Stephiec79]

Hi everyone. I got some bloodwork results back today. I guess my ANA was positive, but it's non-specific and in a speckled pattern (whatever that means). My question is: is there any correlation between auto-immune markers and chiari?
Thank you!
Steph

[selmaS]

  Hi....well my first suggestion would be to get copies of ALL testing u have had so far, MRI's blood panels etc along with reports...so many times things can be missed or overlooked as an incidental finding.

It is awful that we have to educate ourselves in order to get the proper care but we do....some Drs do not like it and I say tuff.....we need to be aware of the right care and to know enuff we have the right Dr too.

A small spot or lesion  could be nething, could indicate u have really bad headaches....u need a copy of the report and MRI and take a look at everything and try to see what symptoms u have and get a Dr to listen, it took me yrs to get my DX .....

Another thing is to look to ur family 's medical history as it could have clues and indications ur Drs are missing....I thought I had all the info on my family and not until I  got a few diff DX's did I learn more about my family so do dig there for more info.

[LOUGIE]

Hi Selma,
You sound like you are well educated in this area. Yes I had an MRI of my brain at least a couple of times. One time they said they saw a small spot but said it wasn't anything to worry about. I'm sure they will do one when I go to Mayo, so I am just biding my time. My goal is to live long enough to find out what I have so it will help my daughter's and/or my grandchildren if God forbid they have something like this. If u have any additional info. I would appreciate your input.

[LOUGIE]

I have about every test in the book. CT; MRI, PET.
, I have pos.ana titer extremely elevated as well as a esr which was 60. extremely high. I get elief from pain meds that have codeine in them but drs. are so skeptical about giving u those meds. I take gabapentin, savella,paxil, warfarin (had blood clot in my leg) 2 yrs. ago, lung cancer last year, had wedge section removed, not over that yet. As I am posting this I feel like I have polio. Sounds silly to say that but my legs hurt so bad I can hardly walk. I am an old country girl, worked hard all my life, and still do when I can, and sometimes I just push myself to the limit. I just want to find out what I have so maybe my girls will get the proper treatments. thanks for your post Selma S. I sure can use any help I can get. Its so bad to feel so embarrased  to even ask for pain meds. bcause they must answer to FDA for everything due to druggies abuse. what is a person to do? My GP is very good, but won't really listen to me I think she doesn't know what to do with me. My rheum. is the one that is sending me to Mayo, bcause she said it was beyond her realm of capabilities. I am desparite for help. sorry bout my spelling.

[desertstorm2009]

Hi Steph...
I had an elevated ANA and was diagnosed with RA twelve years ago. Later my ANA was normal. My belief is that most of the symptoms I have suffered with have been related to my Chiari. May not be what you wanted to hear, I didn't want to hear it either and still don't. I hope you solve the pieces to your puzzle soon. Good luck :-) Lisa

[selmaS]

  Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum,.

I know it is frustrating to get a Chiari DX as there are more of us with it then there are Drs that know and understand it.

Have u had a MRI of ur brain and cervical spine? That is where u need to start and get copies of ALL testing including the reports so u can more easily go for other opinions.

[LOUGIE]

I HAVE SOMETHING THAT CANNOT AND HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED AFTER 35 DOCTORS AND BIOPSIES,AND ENOUGH BLOOD DRAWN TO FLOAT A BOAT. THEY FINALLY DIAGNOSED ME WITH DISCOID LUPUS ONLY BECAUSE THEY SIMPLY DID NOT KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO. I HAVE HAD SHOTS IN EVERY JOINT IN MY BODY I THINK, WITH SOME RELIEF FOR VERY SHORT PERIODS OF TIME. I AM TRYING TO GET INTO MAYO, IN ROCHESTER, MINN. JUST WAITING FOR THEM TO CALL FOR MY APPOINTMENT. MY ELDEST DAUGHTER HAS THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS ME. MY YOUNGEST DAUGHTER IS NOW BEING TESTED FOR CHIARI DISEASE. I HAVE HAD THIS SINCE 1989 WITH REALLY NO HELP FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME JUST PAIN MEDS. I HAVE BEEN CALLED EVERYTHING IN THE BOOK, DOCTORS HAVE TOLD ME I AM CRAZ