[Mel32]

Hi, I had a positive ANA 1:320 speckled homogenous pattern. Since then I have been worked up for Lupus and Sjoren all negative. As well as celiac and thyroid. I do have hashimoto but its under control. I have had an MRI it was clear. My symptoms are getting worse. I have severe vertigo, memory loss, fatigue, weight loss, body aches, and now my left hand and arm are tingling and going numb. Its like my arm keeps falling asleep. I am at a loss here, I feel so sick all the time but no one knows whats wrong with me. Any ideas?

Thanks

 

[marymackay]

like symptoms

Hi Mel
sounds like you are like many of us, trying to get definite d/x- very hard to do. My symptoms are very similar, except that I have had strokes, seizure, and kidney, skin, hands and feet probs and having to wear sport shoes, including carpal tunnel, Raynauds, Sjogrens, gumlumps in mouth, distended abdo, pneumonia, urtis, red lumps on muscles, sun ensitive, laser and catarct surery- with lightand skin sensitive to sun, (I keep out of it and wear sunnies), bad sinus and high BP. Symptoms continue to emerge.

It is into 2 years now investigating, with no spec in local area. My ANA is less than yours- 1:160 positive, and also have positive but low Anti Cardioliptin. At least one rheumy said lupus like symptoms and gave me Plaquinel which has helped a little. :blush: So it is just a question of finding knowledgeable doctors, and continue to use sites like this to help you to get d/x and cope, and talking to others on chat, and reading others' probs.
All the best for the future, :hehe: and be happy!

 

[Lily]

Hi Mel,

Sorry to hear you are so unwell :hugbetter: I read your other posts and see that you have been diagnosed with Fibro by two Rheumies. Are the meds they gave you for that helping any? Are you due to go back and see the Rheumy for management and monitoring of any new symptoms you may have?

Have any further blood tests been done to see if your ANA is still positive and whether it has risen?

Often it takes time to work out what is going on and for specific symptoms to emerge that point in the direction of one particular disease. That's why periodic blood tests and follow up combined with symptom reporting by you can help bring it all together. However in the mean time you should not have to suffer in pain and your Rheumy can address that for you if your current meds aren't working.

Take a look at the criteria used to help diagnose Lupus pinned at the top of this forum and see if you can identify with any of them. If so then make sure you tell your Rheumy about them. Often little things that we consider insignificant can actually help fill in the gaps for a doc and aid in diagnosis. Of course a good Lupus specialist would have asked you about those criteria but not all Rheumies are Lupus specialists unfortunately.

Has anyone done any urine testing on you?

love
Lily