Guest guest Posted July 12, 2004 Report Share Posted July 12, 2004 Hi, I am new ... and have a burning question. My first ANA tests (three weeks ago) came back abnormal 1:320 and"speckled". The Doc ordered the Lupus panel, then ... the anti-RNA, theanti-SSA, the anit-SSB, the anti-Sm, and one other one ... I'm notremembering now what it was. They all came out negative, then. So theRheumatologist is now recommending I see an Endocrinologist to rule outhormone involvement. But my question is, how could the ANA come out withsuch a high number, and even speckled ... and then the other tests arenegative? I am a physical therapist, and familiar with many medicalconditions. I went to the medical library and researched these differenttests. After reading all the things that can go along with Lupus, I feellike I have had it a long time ... and maybe now am finally finding thecause of my periods of fatigue, facial "acne" (though not the butterflypattern), etc. I seem to remember reading that at least some of the tests need to bedone after fasting. I didn't fast, as no one told me to. And I think Iread something about a time frame that the blood samples needed to beprocessed after being taken. But mine were sent to Mao's ... and I'msure they didn't meet the time frame. I'm going to have to go look upthese parameters again. Could this affect the results?In just briefly reviewing some of the messages, it seems like some havehad a hard time getting a diagnosis!! Why is that?Not that I want a diagnosis ... because of insurability reasons.Also, what can anyone tell me about an antimalarial drug being effective? A lady I work with has discoid Lupus, and an antimalarial (I don't knowwhat the med is) has worked wonders for her. Are antimalarial drugseffective for systemic lupus, also? And does anybody know anything thathelps the fatigue?? I am planning on going to the Rheumatologist againto ask questions about the test results ... and also might ask him ifhe'd be willing to let me try some of the antimalarials, even without adiagnosis, to see if they help. Does anybody have any opinions aboutthis? (I will not do steroids ever unless I absolutely have too).THANK YOU so much for your help!!Cindi Woods ... a new member of the Lupies Yahoo Group Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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