[lphillips]

:worried: HI! I'm a new girl to the site but I have a couple of questions.
Last year I was in the hospital for a week with pneumonia. Since then I''ve not felt "myself". I started with extreme fatigue, my neck felt like a slept on it wrong. Over a period of days my right knee starting hurting, then my left, then my right thumb then left. I developed sores in the roof of my mouth and in one of my nostrils. I work in a doctors office and did a ANA which was elevated 257. My RA panel was negative. I went to the Medical University of South Carolina. Saw a resident who I didn't care for at all. He was only focused on a bruise I had on my shin and wanted to think I had sarcoidosis. He never looked in my mouth and didn't seem concerned about my ANA. He ended up drawing blood and CXR and I called him back a week later after I didn't hear anything and he said everything was normal. I never felt comfortable with him so I had my labwork faxed to me and it showed a slightly low white blood count (4.0) and a low C4 complement. When I looked up what it could mean if both were low it said one of the diagnosis could be SLE. Also my ANA and titer was normal. I want so bad to find out what is wrong with me. Is there alot of people with normal titers but ended up with Lupus? I have an appt. with another Rheum. Sept 4th 08. Oh! my grandfather had SLE also. Thanks for any help you may can give me.

 

[sjink]

Hi

Just popping in to welcome you. I am not very good on blood test results I am afraid but other people are sure to have some support for you.

It can take a long time to sort out diagnosis of lupus and other auto-immune diseases. Many of us here have had frustrating beginnings to diagnosis and been less than satisfied with some of the specialists we see. However your new appointment will hopefully throw some light on things. Is the new Rheumy a lupus specialist?

Hope you get some answers and start feeling better soon.

Sara
x

 

[Maia]

Well, technically you have had one strong positive ANA (I am assuming the first test was the newer version reported with just a number and not with a titre). So, if the next rheumy takes into account all your current symptoms and past blood results & the family history, he or she may very well decide that something autoimmune is going on.

On the other hand, sometimes ANA can be fleetingly positive even amongst healthy people following various types of temporary illnesses, and it is possible that is what happened with you. ANA is also known to be positive frequently in health family members of those related to someone with lupus yet they never develop it themselves. Unfortunately there are a lot of "if"s when diagnosing an autoimmune disease.

I think it's a great idea getting a second opinion especially since you were uncomfortable with the first rheumy and he didn't seem to get all the relevant information at the time that he should have (such as the mouth ulcers). Be sure to bring copies of recent bloodwork (positive and negative results), as well as a symptom list and any photos you can get of the visible signs you have experienced. I would mention the family history of autoimmune disease too - any and all of them that may be in your family.

I hope that you get some answers soon as to what is causing this and then some helpful treatment to get better!

 

[LolaLola]

Hello and Welcome here.
x Lola

 

[lazylegs]

Hi,

Welcome to the site.

Getting a second opinion is a good idea. Most doctors do not really understand Lupus. My first rheumy used to bring in residents during my visits to diagnose me. They never got it right. Good luck with the new Rheumatologist. I hope he can find some answers for you.

Take care,
Lazylegs

 

[cad]

Hi,
Welcome to the site.

I would definately seek a second opinion rregarding your test results.

I really hope you get sorted out soon and in the meantime this is a great place to get support.


Good Luck

Cassie

 

[beci]

Hi

Hi there,

I don't blame you for requesting another rheumy if you don't have faith in the one you have theres no point. I have had lots of bloods done that have all returned as normal, but at the moment I can't walk without crutches?? I have been told that this doesn't rule out SLE as some people can have sero-negative results??

Good luck with your appointment I hope everything goes well for you.

Beci
x

 

[lphillips]

waiting for 2nd opinion

Thanks for your support. I'll let you know how my appt. goes.