Another Newbie!!

Hi Limarie,

Welcome to the forum!

How are you? What symptoms were you having to lead your GP to run the ANA test?

I am slightly concerned that the doctor may have mislead you. Having a positive ANA does not mean with certainty that you have lupus. In fact most people with a positive ANA do not have lupus, especially those with a low positive result.
Also how high the titre is does not correlate to how long you've been sick, or how sick you are. Generally a very high titre (1:1250 or higher) is pretty conclusive that there is a real connective tissue disease present, but even then the person may be mildly affected, or someone with a low titre can still be very ill. The ANA titre someone has can change with time, and again this does not correlate usually with diseas activity.

A positive ANA plus symptoms which suggest lupus or a rheumatic condition are very good reasons to refer someone to a rheumatologist, so it is appropriate that you are getting to see one soon.

Read throught the information on the homepage of this site and you'll learn a lot about symptoms and diagnosis of lupus.

Make a note of all symptoms you have now and also have had in the past.
The rheumatologist will also do a lot more blood tests and examine you. It is very unusual to come away from a first appointment with a rheumatologist with a diagnosis. They will almost certainly not say anything definite straight away, but will wait for blood test results and probably also wait to see how your symptoms progress with time.

You make a good point about the mega pack (of prednisolone I presume?).Steroids can "mask" blood results resulting in a lower or negative result than other times. How long will have passed since stopping the pred and having the repeat ANA? Make sure you tell the rhumatologist you have recieved prednisolone in the recent past so he/she can take this into account.

What are your concerns about seeing a rheumatologist? They are the ones specialised in diagnosing and treating SLE. If you do indeed have it you will be having a long term relationship with your rheumatologist and it is worth making sure you have a good one.

Looking forward to learning more about you. I hope you like it here.

May I also direct you to read the forum guidelines?

X C X

Hi Cath!
Thanks for the welcome! I was pretty shocked to get the "mildly positive" results back. I was totally not expecting it. I actually went in for the joint pain and rash and found out I had a very high strepolysion O titer the 2nd time in 2 yrs. I wonder if this is why I keep getting the Stretolysin infections??????? As far as my symptoms go I am having severe joint pain, my hair is falling out by the hand fulls but only when I wash it, I broke out in a rash, I have old seizures that started back in 2005 out of the blue. I haven't had one in 1 1/2 yrs (knock on wood) I am a bit confused tho as to how the test turned into a FANA. I thought I had a ANA/DNA done and sent off out of town to Columbia Mo. But I get the results today and they say FANA. My DR (when I say my DR I actually mean her nurse) is not all that helpful. I know they are busy but this is my life!! I have a right to know what is going on don't I?? I am sorry but I am just not a happy camper today! But I do thank you all for the welcome and taking the time to post!!

Hi Linmarie and welcome to a great place.

I am newly dx with Lupus so I am learning a lot myself these days.

I know personally that blood test results can change from visit to visit.

I have had positive ANA's and then normal ANA's, guess it depends on if your flaring or not and that I am guessing at....like I said I am learning about Lupus too.

I think knowledge is power, the more we know the better off we are.

I wish you luck with your upcoming Rheumy appointment. Keep us posted and let us know how you get along.

Again welcome. You have found a great place for support and information.

The people on this forum are just awesome!!!:wink2:

Hi,

ANA and DNA are two seperate tests. Whilst the ANA is positive in almost everyone with lupus, it is in no way specific (ie it can mean a lot of other things or nothing at all).

The anti DNA antibodies are very specific to lupus, and if strongly positive are a extremely important diagnostic marker. But they are positive in less that 50% of people with lupus, so there absence in no way excludes a lupud diagnosis.

It is definately worth having both these tests done, and a lot of others too, but it can probably wait for the rheumy - unless he has requested that the blood work be done before your first appointment (which would be unusual).

That your Mum has SLE is significant. Family members do have an inincreased risk of having the disease themselves. However family members of someone with SLE also have a higher rate of "ïnnoscent" ANAs too - ie a positive ANA but no symptoms. Still, you do have symptoms, so there is a definite need to get this all investigated.

All the best. How long til your appointment?

X C X