Autoimmune disease possible with positive ANA and ok bloodwork?

Posted by caroyates20000 @carolinely2000, Jul 19 4:05pm

I’m 29 years old and have struggled with unexplainable symptoms for four years— since I was very sick with covid in 2020. I was very sick for weeks with liver issues, and once I was over that several months later- I started developing new symptoms. I have blisters and rashes after being in the sun, progressively worse swelling and pain in my joints, random fevers, inflammation in my eyes that affects my vision, and chronic muscular pain so bad that some days I can’t walk. I am constantly exhausted. I have seen a rheumatologist who says I have to wait for things to worsen since my bloodwork comes back clear- despite a positive ANA and some inflammation markers. My symptoms worsen and I struggle with day to day things, but my bloodwork comes back mostly normal. Is it possible to have an autoimmune disease but not have it show on bloodwork? Help!!!!

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@bayhorse

I had a positive ANA but otherwise decent bloodwork and it turned out that I had lupus. It took quite a while -- years -- for me to get properly diagnosed. I wish you better luck than I had.

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This is what I’ve wondered. The symptoms are a perfect match. What did you have to do to get diagnosed? My doctor said we have to wait for all bloodwork to match with lupus before we do any treatment.

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@bayhorse

I had a positive ANA but otherwise decent bloodwork and it turned out that I had lupus. It took quite a while -- years -- for me to get properly diagnosed. I wish you better luck than I had.

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My aunt was diagnosed with Lupus many years ago, but then she was told she doesn’t have it. Is that possible?

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@carolinely20000 what treatment is it that you would want? The treatments carry risks. Is it possible to address your symptoms without suppressing the immune system? Can you first deal with inflammation?

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Are you seeing a rheumatologist and hematologist?

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@hisdreamweaver

Are you seeing a rheumatologist and hematologist?

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Only a rheumatologist at this point.

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@celia16

My aunt was diagnosed with Lupus many years ago, but then she was told she doesn’t have it. Is that possible?

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My understanding is that it is a tricky diagnosis, universally said to be difficult to make. So perhaps she was misdiagnosed initially?

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