another quick question

[cclnikki]

when nicole gets another fever can that cause an ana to elevate. or will that take time if it is going to get +. i already posted that nicole has a slightly +.
thanks if you know.
celina

[cath]

Hi Celina,

Únfortuantely (as far as I know) the ANA doesn't reflect disease activity and doesn't correlate to symptoms, so taking it during a fever is unlikely to make a difference. On the other hand, sometimes a fleeting ANA results from an infection, in which case it should go negative once the infection is over.

I really sympathise ith your dilema of working out if the ANA is simply because of the caeliacs, or a indication of lupus. I hope for Nikki's sake she doesn't get any more problems:( .

Hugs,

X C X

[cclnikki]

Thank You. Hopefully nothing comes of the next blood tests.
Celina

[cclnikki]

This still confuses me. But Nicole still gets the malar rash off and on for no known reason. We will be in the house and it will appear. Maybe when she has her blood done again when she has another fever maybe something will show ir it will all be fine. any thoughts on what else can cause that type of rash it only started maybe in the spring early summer of this year.
Thanks again
Celina

[cath]

Hi Celina,

Flushing across the nose and cheeks can be from a variety of reasons (the most simple being a bit too warm). The best and only really scientfic way to work out if the redness is lupus caused is to do a biopsy. A dermatologist is the specialist to organise this.

Before considering doing something this invasive though, there should be a good reason.... ie - to "clinch" a diagnosis.

Can you describe the rash in more detail? Ie is it just red/flushes, or is it raised and lumpy, is there any fluid/exudate/blisters/pus, what about the edges - are they difficult to see or really marked and raised, is the skin between the nose and cheeks involved or not? How long does it last for?

If you are really concerned that this is the "lupus" malar rash, then the best thing to do would be to ask for a dermatology referal to discuss your concerns with them.

All the best,

X C X

[cclnikki]

Thanks. The rash comes on at any time. And can stay for a few days or just 1 day or a few weeks (especially over the summer). But it is not raised it is like a very visable blushing. The area around her nose is not red at all. But her rheumy just sent me the lab work for when she gets another fever to have her
CRP,ESR,IgD,CBC,urinalysis,urine mevalonic acid checked. Is this checking for lupus or periodic fever or some thing else? If you know. But if her fevers follow the same course she isn't due for another one until around Dec 8th or so.
Thanks
Celina

If I can get a good pic of it I will post it,but hard to capture on the camera

[Lily]

Hi Celina,

From experience here on the boards, the best way to find out what a particular rash is to see a Dermatologist. They are the experts and would be able to probably tell by looking what it is, at least with a fair amount of certainty anyway.

Sending hugs for you and your daughter.

love
Lily