1. < Autoimmune Diseases

Can you have combined autoimmune disorders? I need a second opinion

Posted by martensk @martensk, Sep 13, 2022

My current diagnoses are:
-psoriasis
-hidradenitis suppurativa
-ankylosing spondylitis
-history of mental disorders
-thyroid disease

So, I went for my normal checkup to my rhumie as I am currently on remicade infusions for AS. My doctor pointed out that the rash on my face was more prominent than usual and wanted to test my ANA again which was previously checked in Dec 22. That was yesterday and today I received results without a call from my doctor yet that I tested positive for ANA and Scleroderma and abnormally high white blood cell count.
I was negative for dsDNA with a result of 1.00, sjogrens, and smith. Basically I was sent a vague message asking if I was okay... I'm not worried about my doctor, I just wish they would have called me instead of posting the results and then sending a message that is asking if I am okay since I tested positive for ANA...

So, some questions I have are is this a big deal for my health or not being positive for both ANA and scleroderma and also my C Reactive Protein is 9.0 with a sedimentation rate of ESR 33?

Is this an indicator that something is finally showing up and may be progressing? Of course I looked all of this up and you know how the internet is with the web of lies rabbit hole where all diagnoses lead to death.

Basically, I'm wondering if I have lupus because I show all of the signs for it plus a prominent malar rash or if I don't since the smith is in the negative. Do I have an infection or is this just normal behavior for autoimmune issues?

Like I said, I have never tested positive for ANA before, so that's why my head is spinning with so many questions. My glucose level is high as well and I've never been close to the stage of having diabetes.

I do feel like my body is in a current state of hell. I am stressed out to the max being a teacher and having additional students beyond my normal 157. I'm also teaching virtual and I'm now up to 241. I am also the department head of my subject within my district, a team leader and am currently going through a personal financial crisis.

Health wise- my HS is out of control. It's everywhere in the usual spots and now it is even under my breasts. Huge cyst-like bumps in my groin, armpits and I can count at least 50-60 under my breasts. They hurt so badly. The ones in-between my legs are also very painful. Sometimes I can put my palm around one and it is the size of a golf ball or bigger. I've fallen twice in the past two weeks, once hitting a concrete slab face first right on my cheekbone. Black eye and my entire cheekbone is black currently. I have horrible night sweats even with my thermo on 65 and the fan on full blast and wearing nothing. My vision can become blurry and the brain fog is present. My body aches obviously with the AS, but my feet are also on fire and I cannot sleep at all.

This is now turning into rambling because I feel like there is so much going on.

Could this positive ANA result just be from stress or was it already in the works? Just would basically like some advice or knowledge from medical professionals. This is my first time using this and I appreciate any and all help.

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oldkarl | @oldkarl | Sep 16, 2022

@maartensk Hi, friend. This is a simple one to answer. In my experience, my genes clump together in varying groups. Each group usually makes its own little rules and guidelines, and each of these, if they bring problems, can be considered a disease. For instance, One of my groups (dealing primarily with proteins and cell nets) is called Gelsolin. Another group, genes dealing with neuromuscular stuff, is called Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy r23. I have several hundred variants in each of these groups. The easy way to see this is to think of a box of dominoes. Then, how many different patterns of stacked dominoes can you create, with none repeating? Then, add in the number of variant containers (chromosomes) these dominoes come in, and different companies making them. Anyway, Each stack of dominoes is either a disorder, a disease, or something similar. To make a long story shorter, I have several thousand pieces of genetic bits of info. Suppose a gene now has a thousand modifying variants, and all of these can enter a stack of domino genes combined in a unique manner. I cannot count these potential diseases on my fingers and toes. Let's see. assume each variant has 9,000,000 gene types. That means that each one has 9,000,000 potential disease formats, without adding in all the other stuff such as environment, psycho realities, etc.... Anyway, you might be subject to millions of diseases. But only a few of these can and will clump together. I have a total of around a thousand pathogenic (damaging) variants. So that means I could count 1,000,000 times 1,000,000 x....... possible diseases, at any one time. Yes, I do have multiple pathogenic diseases which have been identified. hundreds of them. oldkarl

REPLY
martensk | @martensk | Sep 17, 2022
In reply to @jeebs "First let me say I am NOT a medical professional though I was in premed until..." + (show)
@jeebs

First let me say I am NOT a medical professional though I was in premed until life got in the way. I have what is called undifferentiated connective tissue disease. Basically it's an overlap of autoimmune diseases. A little of each but not enough of one to say definitely that you have Lupus or RA, etc. In my case Sjogrens is the main culprit with a little bit of Lupus thrown in to keep me honest I guess. Plus some other stuff. It's been a horrible ride since I was in my late 30s. I'm now 69 and just getting the answers. I've been told it's anxiety, been misdiagnosed and finally it's been blamed on the murder of my 3 year old grandson. So yes you can have multiples. Also a lot of symptoms are positive with a lot of diseases. That's what makes it so difficult for a Dr. to diagnose. They do their best but it can take awhile to get your answers. Best of luck to you and try not to let it get you down. Just be strong and confident when you talk to your docs. Don't let them tell you you're not feeling what you know you are feeling. Be strong. God's blessings

Jump to this post

Thank you for your response. I haven’t had any issues with my current doctors because they actually listen to me and try to help and figure out the issues. I had to move to a bigger city to find any doctor that was willing to explore further.

REPLY
1 reply
martensk | @martensk | Sep 17, 2022
In reply to @jeebs "First let me say I am NOT a medical professional though I was in premed until..." + (show)
@jeebs

First let me say I am NOT a medical professional though I was in premed until life got in the way. I have what is called undifferentiated connective tissue disease. Basically it's an overlap of autoimmune diseases. A little of each but not enough of one to say definitely that you have Lupus or RA, etc. In my case Sjogrens is the main culprit with a little bit of Lupus thrown in to keep me honest I guess. Plus some other stuff. It's been a horrible ride since I was in my late 30s. I'm now 69 and just getting the answers. I've been told it's anxiety, been misdiagnosed and finally it's been blamed on the murder of my 3 year old grandson. So yes you can have multiples. Also a lot of symptoms are positive with a lot of diseases. That's what makes it so difficult for a Dr. to diagnose. They do their best but it can take awhile to get your answers. Best of luck to you and try not to let it get you down. Just be strong and confident when you talk to your docs. Don't let them tell you you're not feeling what you know you are feeling. Be strong. God's blessings

Jump to this post

And that’s very traumatizing to lose a family member at such young of an age. I work with children, yet do not have any of my own. It affects me deeply when my students go through difficult situations. I am a bleeding heart which is not helpful and usually leads to more stress. I am glad you found some answers.

REPLY
gillysmom | @gillysmom | Sep 17, 2022
In reply to @martensk "Thank you for your response. I haven’t had any issues with my current doctors because they..." + (show)
@martensk

Thank you for your response. I haven’t had any issues with my current doctors because they actually listen to me and try to help and figure out the issues. I had to move to a bigger city to find any doctor that was willing to explore further.

Jump to this post

The doctor makes the difference. Small town medicine ruined my health. You were wise to move.

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