Ok, so...
Not that i want this disease too, but I still have symptoms of it. But last RD visit RD did not say if I had it or not. So, yet again I am guessing I do not have the bloodwork for it.
I was wondering do you HAVE to have bloodwork positive for it in order to be DXed with it?
Good question Joonie, I have more Lupus symptoms ( no butterfly rash though) than i do RAWell I have swelling of my calfs, mostly at night, and sometimes it lasts for days.
I use to be allergic to the sun. I would get white blotches on my face and arms. I do not get them that much, anymore, but still. Another sign.
I also get told by every RD I have seen that I have what looks like the butterfly pattern. But they never mention lupus again after I get bloodwork done for it.
I also read there is something that mimic Lupus, but I do not have some of those symptoms, except the RA one, but it still does not count for some of the symptoms I have.
Ok I think I might have found the answer! I looked it up again, but used a different word than i used last night. It was a sleep med induced google search
95-98% of persons with lupus have a positive test for ANA. Therefore, less than 5% of people can have a negative ANA test, and still have lupus. Therefore, persons having some symptoms and signs suggestive of lupus, but with a negative ANA test, should be very carefully evaluated for a large number of conditions that can have a positive ANA test. These conditions which can mimic lupus and have a positive ANA test include mixed connective tissue disease, undifferentiated connective tissue disease, scleroderma, myositis, rheumatoid arthritis and several others. Some times, it may take a while before a clear diagnosis can be made, because evolution of the disease may take some time.
Lupus patients who have a negative ANA test usually have a positive test for anti-Ro (also called anti-SSA) or anti-La (anti-SSB).
Did they do a blood count and test your ANA?
I have a normal RF (which I've learned from this board classifies me as "seronegative" but my ANA was high). Normal range for ANA Direct is 0-99. Mine was 710.
Your sensitivity to the sun and butterfly rash certainly sound like it, but if your ANA is normal, probably not. I wonder if RA can create similar skin irritations to Lupus, since they seem to be of the same "family?"
Yeah... RD was to test me for Lupus, but cannot say if what all she tested me for. I know my SED is very high. She did say that. And that everything else was in ok range.
Yeah, I know about the similar to RA, but as of lately does not seem like the same RA. I guess it is because the Fibro is kicking into over drive now and just making me think more is wrong than there is.
I just do not know. I will get it addressed next RD visit Dec 4th.
I am just trying to get somethings put together before next RD visit. That way... I can get them addressed.
There are different kinds of Lupus and some subsets. Visit the Lupus Health Boards, there are sticky posts at the top that answer a lot of questions.