[ashli]

Hi, ill keep this short. I'm a 19 year old female, and after visiting the doctor was told i needed blood tests. one of the tests i need is an ANA. i know this is for lupus, and was wondering if anyone here thinks that my symptoms sound like it could be lupus.
for about the last 4 years ive had very bad joint pain in my hips, spine and knees. ive also had acute Urticaria for about the last 7 years. (i know that urticaria can be a symptom of lupus).
i also developed a rash on my hands, which was itchy and took a day or so to go.
i know these arent a lot of symptoms, but when i read the symptom page on this site, a lot of them were relevant to me, such as fatigue and eye problems. ive had eye problems since birth, including conjunctivitis and blepharitis.
Can anyone shed any light on this?
thanks
ashli xx

 

[angieb]

Hi Ashli
I cannot give any medical type advice , but i am in same sort of position as you. I have some symptoms of Lupus, i have also had a positive ANA but it was only mildly pos so gotta have it done agian waiting for results. All i can say is after reading some other posts on here it can take a while to get a positive diagnosis but you have to just keep going. Also this great site for support and if you feel like venting you can and no one judges. I sometimes feel like a complete hypochondriac because i look lkay but feel like rubbish. anyway please keep positive and let us know what happens.

 

[gbstewart]

Know how you feel but be a PATIENT patient!

The diagnosis of Lupus seems to me to be made more from a subjective intake than scientific data. I am not certain anyone can be unequivocally diagnosed as having Lupus. It has taken over three years and two rheumys for me to be given a tentative diagnosis of Lupus, basically being told I have a connective tissue disorder that is reminiscent of Lupus. Needless to say, Lupus presents the GP and Rheumy (s) with a hugely frustrating diagnostic dilemma. There does not seem to be a cookie cutter-like pattern to determining the diagnosis. For example, all of my labs have been marginal (at best). The symptoms that I have experienced are joint pain and swelling and fatigue. I had some low grade fevers, cyclic in nature until I was treated with placquinel and methotrexate. Since then pain has improved but still exist and I have a litte more energy but no fevers.
The trail to treatment is an arduous experience one but hang in there. You are not crazy, although you probably feel that way. This thing takes a toll!
Hopefully you can get treatment soon.
Good luck-
Bernie

 

[ashli]

hey guys, thanks for the comments. im trying to be patient, but its hard when i have no idea whats wrong. it gets me down a bit.
i got my blood tests yesterday. i never realised how much blood got taken out!!
hopefully the results wont take too long!
hows everything going for you??
xx

 

[dudley]

Hi,

I having a positive ANA does not mean you have lupus...it does not even mean that you have a autoimune disease. People can have a positive ANA till the day they die with out ever having a auto immune disease. I hope you take this as good news. I know you must be frustrated but I hope for you they find something to DX you with that is not autimmune.

I hope in the end that it is not lupus. Lupus is the great immatator. There is no test to say you have it. There are no meds that are just for lupus. It is trail and error on the dx and the meds.

I hope that you get a correct DX soon and that it not lupus.


Elaine

 

[ashli]

hi elaine. thanks for your message. im hoping its not lupus, im also getting tested for arthritis etc. i just felt i could relate to a lot of the symptoms on this site. but as you say, its hopefully not this.
hope everythings ok for you xx