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ANA test follow up results - anyone else experience this
Autoimmune Diseases | Last Active: Aug 11 11:02am | Replies (50)Comment receiving replies
I am in the same boat. I have a moderately positive ANA 1:180 with both speckled and homogenous patterns. I have been experiencing symptoms of random fevers, joint and muscle pain, dry mouth, dry eyes, fatigue and malar rash for 15 plus years. Only recently has any doctor taken me seriously. So I requested n autoimmune workout. The only positive result was my ANA.
My PCP referred me to a rheumatologist who proceeded to tell me she didn’t see anything “ rheumatolgoically” wrong with me despite the fact my joint were swollen, painful and inflamed at my appointment along with a blazing malar rash. Despite all that she did start me on gabapentin for the pain and turmeric for inflammation.
My PCP doesn’t quite agree with only using the turmeric for inflammation and thinks I should be on plaquenil but she is going along with the recs of the rheumatologist. I have a follow up with rheumatology next month. In the meantime I have been tracking my symptoms and taking pictures of rashes to show the doctor.
I do know that autoimmune diseases are a diagnosis of exclusion as frustrating as that is. Especially if one has been having symptoms for an extended period of time.
Hang in there. You re not alone,
Replies to "I am in the same boat. I have a moderately positive ANA 1:180 with both speckled..."
@itsmeagain
I seem to be lost on the subject of ANA and ANCA. Could someone please clarify?
Thanks
My heart aches for you. Personally, I would see another Rheumatoloigst for another evaluation/consult. Your body had built up antibodies against itself. So identify the SOURCE of those antibodies.
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@suzieq1980
It seems that you and I have had a very similar experience with being ill with much the same symptoms for 15 years and being dismissed by rheumatology. I love "Hang in there, you're not alone." (!!) Because while we all go through this individually, there are so many women who are not finding good healthcare for autoimmune illness.
I have commented on my experience here (jwj9) but wanted you to know that I take plaquenil without side effects. It seems to especially help with Sjogrens Syndrome; dry eyes, dry mouth. I keep up with eye exams too.
You are the only person who I've heard mention "random fevers"; an ongoing part of my life for many years.
I hope you can find a true human of a rheunatologist! I know there's a shortage of them, but I have found two doctors that are not burned out, have empathy, spend time with me. My current doctor told me , Let me know if there's anything I can help you with. And I trust him. What I have found is the younger the doctor, the more they are aware of what's new with treatments and also, they seem to be more understanding of a patient's needs.
Thank you for your comments!