Hello Everyone,
I have been reading here for awhile but haven't really posted much. I am going through quite an interesting period right now related to being (or not being) diagnosed with Lupus. Okay so basically I am wondering what you would do after hearing this (long) story. Thanks in advance!
October of 07 I started having a lot of joint pain in my hands. I also felt like my vision was decreasing a little. Anyway, i went to see my GP (who I don't see anymore bc she retired) about the hand pain. She did a lot of blood tests including ANA and Sed rate. ANA was mildly positive and Sed Rate was great. None the less, she referred me to a Rhumie.
In the meantime, I also had an eye exam. She said that my vision is fine but that I do have dry eyes. I asked about Sjogrens, but she blew it off. So, I don't know what to think of that really.
Went to the Rhumie in January. He did TONS of blood work and said that I didn't have the classic Lupus symptoms so he also wanted to check for Rhum Arthritis. Anyway, the things that came back positive were the ANA again and a positive Smith-test. So, obviously at this point I thought I had lupus. He said that I still didn't have enough physical symptoms to get a diagnosis and to re-do all the blood work in another 6 months and come back.
The whole six months I am basically preparing myself for Lupus. I had came to accept it. So, 2 weeks ago I re-do the blood work and go for my appt. He does the usual checking of the joints, etc. Then he goes over the blood work. A couple of unrelated things were VERY slightly out of range like creatin. Then he says "Well, your ANA was negative therefore they didn't do the smith-test. I don't think you have lupus." Ummmm....what?!?! Like that was not what I was expecting. So I asked what should I do from here. In so many words he basically said..."have a nice life".
I take the good news back to my hubby and family. They think it is great and I should believe him and be happy. However, I feel like...were the blood tests wrong? Why was everything positive before?? I am a skeptical person. So, if you actually read all this......what would you do? Would you believe it and move on or would you go to a new doc for a 2nd opinion? I REALLY appreciate any advice anyone can give on where to go from here.
I have been reading here for awhile but haven't really posted much. I am going through quite an interesting period right now related to being (or not being) diagnosed with Lupus. Okay so basically I am wondering what you would do after hearing this (long) story. Thanks in advance!
October of 07 I started having a lot of joint pain in my hands. I also felt like my vision was decreasing a little. Anyway, i went to see my GP (who I don't see anymore bc she retired) about the hand pain. She did a lot of blood tests including ANA and Sed rate. ANA was mildly positive and Sed Rate was great. None the less, she referred me to a Rhumie.
In the meantime, I also had an eye exam. She said that my vision is fine but that I do have dry eyes. I asked about Sjogrens, but she blew it off. So, I don't know what to think of that really.
Went to the Rhumie in January. He did TONS of blood work and said that I didn't have the classic Lupus symptoms so he also wanted to check for Rhum Arthritis. Anyway, the things that came back positive were the ANA again and a positive Smith-test. So, obviously at this point I thought I had lupus. He said that I still didn't have enough physical symptoms to get a diagnosis and to re-do all the blood work in another 6 months and come back.
The whole six months I am basically preparing myself for Lupus. I had came to accept it. So, 2 weeks ago I re-do the blood work and go for my appt. He does the usual checking of the joints, etc. Then he goes over the blood work. A couple of unrelated things were VERY slightly out of range like creatin. Then he says "Well, your ANA was negative therefore they didn't do the smith-test. I don't think you have lupus." Ummmm....what?!?! Like that was not what I was expecting. So I asked what should I do from here. In so many words he basically said..."have a nice life".
I take the good news back to my hubby and family. They think it is great and I should believe him and be happy. However, I feel like...were the blood tests wrong? Why was everything positive before?? I am a skeptical person. So, if you actually read all this......what would you do? Would you believe it and move on or would you go to a new doc for a 2nd opinion? I REALLY appreciate any advice anyone can give on where to go from here.