[lauren_kitts]

I have not officially been diagnosed with lupus however i have been bounced back and forth between doctors for a few years i am 22 and have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia however i hae done alot of searchin and lupus is the only thing that explains all my symptoms in one package... i know this is hoping for a miracle but thats all I have at the moment.... I have had an ANA test adn it was neg/norm. but i can't help but wonder if it's wrong.... :worried: not sure what to do and I need some support because my family is tired and so are my friends....
frustrated

 

[onetay]

Lauren,
Welcome to the site. You have come to the right place for information, advise, support, and our favorite cheering up. We have a chat room and you can get a lot of information in there. The people on this site are so understanding and supportive I hope that you find the help that you need. I am sorry that you are having problems at the moment with getting a dx, but it took some of us a long time and even more doctors. Hang in there it will come. In the meant time have fun with us and pick our brains just leave some for the next day please lol.

 

[Katharine]

Hello Lauren and :welcome:

I'm sorry I seem to have missed your post until now, but as they say, better late than never

I don't know what symptoms you have but you may find it useful to take a look at the diagnostic criteria listed here and see how many things fit/don't fit for you.

http://www.thelupussite.com/forum/showthread.php?t=33123

It is true that the ANA test is used as an initial screening test for lupus and other auto-immune diseases but it is not the "only" test and no one test excludes a diagnosis.

I'm wondering with your fibro diagnosis if you already see a rheumy? It not it could well be worthwhile asking for a referral to a theumy specialising in auto-immune disease.

feel free to ask questions, we'll help as much as we can.

bye for now,
Katharine

 

[LolaLola]

Hello Lauren,
Sorry to hear things are hard for you. Sometimes a little bit of time makes the diagnosis clearer. Negative bloods do sometimes change over time but in the meanwhile you need symptom control whatever the bloods say. Negative bloods do not mean you are necessarily "less ill" than other people
I felt at my very worst before my bloods changed.

We will all do our best to help you.
x Lola

 

[macfamily53]

Hi Lauren

First of all i would like to welcome you to the sight.I also am sorry it took so long to see your post(((hugs))).Brain is working a little slow these days.

I do understand how frustrating it can be with friends and family do not believe us or just plain tired of listening to me.I just want to say you know what i am tired of feeling this way grr.

Well anyway you can get tons of information on here and lost of support also.we do understand you and you have already been given a web sight to go to help you out by kathrine.Just dont give up on finding out what is going on((((hugs)))).It takes time for some doctors to see it in the labs that you do have lupus.Please keep us posted on how things are going and keeping my fingers crossed for you.

Tammy

 

[Pink Pearl]

Hi Lauren and welcome to the board,
As the others have said, ana is not the only test for diagnosing lupus. I have never, 20+ years, had a positive ana test. I have had a lot of other things, anti ds dna, acl, apl, elevated esr, elev crp, and other tests positive....but never had a positive ana. SO, do NOT let any doctor put all the eggs in one basket for lack of a positive ana. Had my doctors looked further I most likely would have been diagnosed 10+ years before I actually was.

A diagnosis of lupus is made on meeting 4 of 11 criteria, with OR without lab work. So, read the criteria, check off those which match or fit with symptoms you have had. Talk that over with your doctor. If the doctor still locks in on primarily ana....then talk to another doctor..... There is nothing wrong with getting a second opinion.

Good luck,
Sally

 

[iksyfaye]

Hi Lauren,
I am also new here...I just wanted to say that when I first had an ANA run, it came by negative...over time, my Dr. checked it again, and the last few have come back positive with 2 different patterns...as the others have said, it seems that the ANA can be negative one time, and positive the next...I just had so many of the symptoms, diagnosed with a chronic bladder disease-that may also be autoimmune related, a family history positive for autoimmune...and most thankfully, a Dr. who actually would not let ME ignore it...not that I am thankful to have any of what I do, but better to know what I am "battling"...I agree that maybe a second opinion would be good...can you make an appt. with a Rheumy, or do you have to have your GP refer you?
Good Luck to you, and I hope you get some answers soon...
I