Positive ANA: What might be the cause?

Hello, I am new to this group and would like to share my story. Maybe someone here has an answer, or at least an idea what my next step should be. I have been in pain for several months (hands and feet, also pins and needles), get worse at night. OTC painkillers don't help as well as prescription ones (gabapentin, amitriptyline, Robaxin). I first thought about RA as my mom has it so got tested for RA panel. ANA is positive, the rest is negative thus it is not RA, per my providers. ANA cascade test: ANA positive, the rest negative thus it is not autoimmune, per my providers. All other tests (cbc, bpm, vitamins, hormones) are normal. Pain is slowly getting worse and now not just feet and hands but also arms and legs hurt. Pain doesn't get worse or better because of certain activities (or inactivity). I spoke to three doctors (all internal medicine). One told me it was nothing, just probably fibromyalgia and gave me amitriptyline that didn't work. The second one told me it was nothing because healthy people often have positive ANA and my pain will go away if I take ibuprofen. The third one simply told me not to worry about it. I asked all three for a referral to a rheumatologist but non of them saw a reason for me to see a rheumatologist, or any other specialist. So here I am, trying to convince myself that it is nothing and my pain is nothing to worry about, as recommended by my providers:-)

Hello, I am new to this group and would like to share my story. Maybe someone here has an answer, or at least an idea what my next step should be. I have been in pain for several months (hands and feet, also pins and needles), get worse at night. OTC painkillers don't help as well as prescription ones (gabapentin, amitriptyline, Robaxin). I first thought about RA as my mom has it so got tested for RA panel. ANA is positive, the rest is negative thus it is not RA, per my providers. ANA cascade test: ANA positive, the rest negative thus it is not autoimmune, per my providers. All other tests (cbc, bpm, vitamins, hormones) are normal. Pain is slowly getting worse and now not just feet and hands but also arms and legs hurt. Pain doesn't get worse or better because of certain activities (or inactivity). I spoke to three doctors (all internal medicine). One told me it was nothing, just probably fibromyalgia and gave me amitriptyline that didn't work. The second one told me it was nothing because healthy people often have positive ANA and my pain will go away if I take ibuprofen. The third one simply told me not to worry about it. I asked all three for a referral to a rheumatologist but non of them saw a reason for me to see a rheumatologist, or any other specialist. So here I am, trying to convince myself that it is nothing and my pain is nothing to worry about, as recommended by my providers:-)

@kaprizzz
Most definitely see a rheumatologist!! I can't believe docs won't give you a referral!! That's disturbing. Maybe call your insurance company and tell them what is going on.

Hello, I am new to this group and would like to share my story. Maybe someone here has an answer, or at least an idea what my next step should be. I have been in pain for several months (hands and feet, also pins and needles), get worse at night. OTC painkillers don't help as well as prescription ones (gabapentin, amitriptyline, Robaxin). I first thought about RA as my mom has it so got tested for RA panel. ANA is positive, the rest is negative thus it is not RA, per my providers. ANA cascade test: ANA positive, the rest negative thus it is not autoimmune, per my providers. All other tests (cbc, bpm, vitamins, hormones) are normal. Pain is slowly getting worse and now not just feet and hands but also arms and legs hurt. Pain doesn't get worse or better because of certain activities (or inactivity). I spoke to three doctors (all internal medicine). One told me it was nothing, just probably fibromyalgia and gave me amitriptyline that didn't work. The second one told me it was nothing because healthy people often have positive ANA and my pain will go away if I take ibuprofen. The third one simply told me not to worry about it. I asked all three for a referral to a rheumatologist but non of them saw a reason for me to see a rheumatologist, or any other specialist. So here I am, trying to convince myself that it is nothing and my pain is nothing to worry about, as recommended by my providers:-)

Hello, I am new to this group and would like to share my story. Maybe someone here has an answer, or at least an idea what my next step should be. I have been in pain for several months (hands and feet, also pins and needles), get worse at night. OTC painkillers don't help as well as prescription ones (gabapentin, amitriptyline, Robaxin). I first thought about RA as my mom has it so got tested for RA panel. ANA is positive, the rest is negative thus it is not RA, per my providers. ANA cascade test: ANA positive, the rest negative thus it is not autoimmune, per my providers. All other tests (cbc, bpm, vitamins, hormones) are normal. Pain is slowly getting worse and now not just feet and hands but also arms and legs hurt. Pain doesn't get worse or better because of certain activities (or inactivity). I spoke to three doctors (all internal medicine). One told me it was nothing, just probably fibromyalgia and gave me amitriptyline that didn't work. The second one told me it was nothing because healthy people often have positive ANA and my pain will go away if I take ibuprofen. The third one simply told me not to worry about it. I asked all three for a referral to a rheumatologist but non of them saw a reason for me to see a rheumatologist, or any other specialist. So here I am, trying to convince myself that it is nothing and my pain is nothing to worry about, as recommended by my providers:-)

@kaprizzz Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! Everyone on here are looking for answers while they help others with tips and help. Please don’t say that you’re convincing yourself that it is nothing. It IS something and you deserve answers and help. The doctors (internal medicine) who didn’t know what you had and wouldn't give you a referral are, unfortunately, common in health care. Can you go to your primary care doctor and ask for a referral?
You might also try calling one of these hospitals and asking if they know of a rheumatologist near to you
https://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/rankings/rheumatology
The Mayo Clinic has a group of hospitals in their care network. Hospitals that have access to the best that Mayo has to offer. The website is: https://www.mayoclinic.org/about-mayo-clinic/care-network/network-members
Please don’t give up! Will you keep me informed of what you learn?

Precious Kaprizz, It is so frustrating. I am on my 2nd Rheumatologist. I have an elevated C-reactive protein, Sed rate, ANA, DSANA, etc. and I cannot get a diagnosis. I've asked my other doctors about this. They say it's hard for a Rheumatologist to diagnose you. All these levels have been elevated since Covid last year. I have the symptoms of Systemic Lupus, no diagnosis. I also have fibromyalgia. I ache, hurt and am sore all over most days with that & fatigue. It's like having the flu. I have bilateral osteoarthritis and degenerative arthritis in the spine. Some days are incredibly painful. You may have Fibromyalgia as one of your doctors said. Some doctors brush off pain with Fibromyalgia and it's frustrating as it can be debilitating. Did your primary palpate all of the trigger points for fibromyalgia to diagnose you? Some doctors do not take Fibomyalgia seriously. I would press the issue about a Rheumatologist. I'm not understanding the lack of a referral for you. BUT, with that said, if you go to a Rheumatologist you may not get a solid diagnosis like me, BUT, they did put me on Plaquenil low dose which helped greatly. Heat Packs, hot showers, rest, Voltaren Gel, soaks in Epsom Salt and occasional Flexeril (Prescription muscle relaxant) get me through the day. It's important to try and keep moving or you will get stiffer. The Fibro & Arthritis are painful and I have done my research. I would ask to have a complete thyroid panel as well. I am so sorry. I am praying for you. I understand your frustration. Hugs....

Hi @kaprizzz, I also have an extremely high ANA with some type of titer. I really don't remember the Titer part. Anyhow, I was also negative on everything else. No RA, lupus, MS, etc. I do; however, have more than one autoimmune disease. Hashimotos thyroiditis, Sjogrens, and Raynaud's syndrome. I also have bladder cancer. Doctors told me high ANA can be from the autoimmune diseases. I also found out there is something called sero negative lupus, RA, etc. If a person has all of the signs and symptoms of RA, for example, but all of the blood work is negative for RA they could be diagnosed as having sero negative Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Good luck on finding out what is causing your pain. May God Bless you with peace and comfort from your pain, and give the doctors the guidance they need to find out what is causing your ANA to be high 🙏😄🌞