Re: help with test results

[Guest guest]

Butch

I can't make any recommendations, but if it was me, I would ask to have

them redone in 3-4 months (especially the rheumatoid factor). Also, the ANA

screen is not the best test, the ANA by IFA is far superior for looking for

lupus. Also, they should consider running a comprehensive ANA to look for

more than just lupus because most of the autoimmune illnesses share similar

symptoms.

Also, look into the anti-CCP antibodies test.

Steve M in PA

[Guest guest]

, Matrese wrote:

> Butch

>

> I can't make any recommendations, but if it was me, I would ask to have

> them redone in 3-4 months (especially the rheumatoid factor). Also, the ANA

> screen is not the best test, the ANA by IFA is far superior for looking for

> Lupus. Also, they should consider running a comprehensive ANA to look for

> more than just lupus because most of the autoimmune illnesses share similar

> symptoms.

>

> Also, look into the anti-CCP antibodies test.

>

ANA are NOT true indicators of immune diseases and you can have lupus without a

positive ANA. Go to the American Lupus Foundation and research and read there.

Lupus as with other immune diseases co exist with others. I had Raynaurds and

malar rash and never had positive ANA, you have to catch the ANA when there is

infection or high.

Here are the symptoms:

To help the doctors diagnose lupus, a list of 11 common criteria, or measures,

was developed by the American College of Rheumatology (ACR). ACR is a

professional association of rheumatologists. These are the doctors who

specialize in treating diseases of the joints and muscles, like lupus. If you

have at least four of the criteria on the list, either at the present time or at

some time in the past, there is a strong chance that you have lupus.

• Malar rash – a rash over the cheeks and nose, often in the shape of a

butterfly

• Discoid rash – a rash that appears as red, raised, disk-shaped patches

• Photosensitivity – a reaction to sun or light that causes a skin rash to

appear or get worse

• Oral ulcers – sores appearing in the mouth

• Arthritis – joint pain and swelling of two or more joints in which the bones

around the joints do not become destroyed

• Serositis – inflammation of the lining around the lungs (pleuritis) or

inflammation of the lining around the heart that causes chest pain which is

worse with deep breathing (pericarditis)

• Kidney disorder – persistent protein or cellular casts in the urine

• Neurological disorder – seizures or psychosis

• Blood disorder – anemia (low red blood cell count), leukopenia (low white

blood cell count), lymphopenia (low level of specific white blood cells), or

thrombocytopenia (low platelet count)

• Immunologic disorder – abnormal anti-double-stranded DNA or anti-Sm, positive

antiphospholipid antibodies

• Abnormal antinuclear antibody (ANA)

People with lupus also may experience symptoms that do not appear among the ACR

criteria:

• fever (over 100° F)

• extreme fatigue

• hair loss

• fingers turning white and/or blue when cold (Raynaud’s phenomenon)

I have taken pictures of my malar rash, butterfly rash, and the red, white, and

blue on my fingers. I have had high EPSTEIN BARR infections which indicate I

have a immune infection and I have an atypical cell disease and you can't always

put you finger on it. I got sores in the top of my mouth and got lock jaw one

time watching the Vienna Boys Chior. If you have a Rheumolologists that just

diagnosis' you with ANA, run, run far away. Arthritis co exists with lupus and

others get intermittent MS and with MS you have to have opital exams that are

very specific and can come from a small trigger with fever or not.

Every disease you think you might want to research there will be a foundation or

association and NORD is the National Organization for Rare Diseases , if you

want to check out ::

http://www.rarediseases.org/rare-disease-information/rare-diseases. These

organizations will assist you in finding ways to get testing especially thru 211

call. On line labs has a special section on immune diseases , their tests

needed, and will assist you in a very readable format. As Steve and I and others

have said, it is so important to learn as much as you can and the associations

needed. Good Luck and no matter the symptoms, it needs to be treated.

I have been diagnosed with silicone poisoning, cat scratch fever, Becketts

Syndrome, Raynauds (which I do have), Lupus (which I think I do have), Atypical

Cell Disease (which I think I have), MS, which I am afraid I get, and then they

tell me that if I don't get my EBS Epstein Barr Infection down it could turn

into Cardeomegly Virus (Heart) .

Everyone has EBS , it turns into mono and then other diseases when not addressed

and treated or the condition of your body. So it is smart to know what is going

on with you, you are not hyprochrondriac but people must be aware of what can

happen when you get run down.

So that is my soapbox and the man point is to know the research and search the

associations that represent conditions you may have and make sure you are see

the specialists you need to see.

I hope I did not misrepresent you Steve but I am advocate in researching and

knowing what it going on and any subject just put association or foundation on

end and you will usually find a good source. Bennie (living through thirty plus

years of looking at foundations) ^ I also used to do this for a living so I have

a keen interest in it .

You can also call your labs and they tell you the combination of tests you need

to identify a specific disease, I have called CPL labs all the time but check

out http://labtestsonline.org/

Bennie

[Guest guest]

My wife and I read that FIFTY PERCENT of patients with Lupus NEVER have a

positive ANA. Bennie, I do not believe that you misrepresented me, but I did not

read my original message.

Steve M in PA

> Bennie wrote:

....ANA are NOT true indicators of immune diseases and you can have lupus

without a positive ANA. Go to the American Lupus Foundation and research

and read there.

[Guest guest]

Okay, I have a semi-related question. I have absolutely no idea regarding the

original post, but here's my question.

I have a positive ANA yet my blood work ($2G worth) shows absolutely nothing

else.

We have long thought (4 diff docs + my Mayo PCP) fibromyalgia.

What exactly is an ANA and what is it showing?

My mom has lupus. My dads mom had Lupus, RA and Fibro.

Just curious.

Beth C

>

> Bennie wrote:

> ANA are NOT true indicators of immune diseases and you can have lupus without

a positive ANA. Go to the American Lupus Foundation and research and read there.