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Widespread Body Pain and High ANA
Autoimmune Diseases | Last Active: Aug 4, 2023 | Replies (43)Comment receiving replies
@windyshores — Thanks so much for your response. I am so new to all of this. How do the doctors determine if there is damage occurring to internal organs? Is that through various blood tests for example to test kidney function and urinalysis to look for protein in the urine etc.?
If there is a chance that internal organ damage is occurring then do the doctors discuss utilization of various drugs as needed, including DMARD’s if warranted, to minimize and halt the damage to internal organs?
Can organ damage be occurring with very low and normal inflammatory markers such as CRP and ESR?
I am working on securing an appointment with a rheumatologist. Autoimmune disease diagnosis and treatment seems very tricky and complicated. Each of us have such varying symptoms and it seems as if the symptoms of many patients don’t align perfectly with the more common autoimmune disorders such as Lupus, Scleroderma which makes final diagnosis difficult.
Replies to "@windyshores — Thanks so much for your response. I am so new to all of this...."
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I feel that labels are difficult but doctors use them for insurance codes. Of course they are also very useful when treatments are needed.
All I can say is that I have had ANA's like 1:5120 for 20+ years with pain and paresthesias (burning, tingling) but no severe illness (I get sick in the sun).
I did not introduce the idea of internal organ damage to worry you. Instead I was trying to say that many of us do fine with autoimmune disorders and do not have any organ damage.
Your rheumatologist will give you more information and order appropriate tests. I would try not to worry too much. That ANA of 1:320 may not be significant especially with no markers for inflammation. I am just another patient and your doc can tell you more.
ps my daughter, in her 30's, has had a positive ANA her entire life with no illness; not true for you since you have symptoms but many healthy people do have positive ANA's- at least healthy so far!