What Bloodwork did you have to rule out other conditions?

Hi all!

May I ask, what bloodwork you had to rule out conditions such as Lupus, ect.......BEFORE you were dx w/ Fibro?

THX

Gee, all I had was an ANA, sed rate and RA factor done.  And an MRI.  Of course a complete metabolic panel also.  That's it!

Huggies

donna

When the ANA was negative my rheumy ordered an ANA8 ELISA The test was run on
differant occassions and I presented positive with RNP. Mixed Connective Tissue Disease
is the only connective tissue disease for which only one specific antibody(RNP) is needed
to make a diagnosis. I also tested positive for ssDNA and that antibody will show up positive
10-20% of the time in MCTD.

MCTD is an overlap of three differant connective diseases. In my case they are lupus,
scleroderma and RA. The most common combination is lupus, scleroderma and polymyositis.
It is a systemic condition

I had clinical features of all three autoimmune diseases, swollen joints on both hands, feet.
elbows knees all bilateral, rashes, Raynauds, and a biopsy confirmed the scleroderma.

Every connective tissue disease has their own antibodies. Diagnosis is not a simple procedure
because there are so many illnesses that have simular synptoms.

In checking for a CTD these antibodies should be checked ssDNA,dsDNA,Sm,RNP,
SSA(ro), SSB(LA), histone, Scl 70. Some doctors will not check for these unless you have
a positive ANA. Not everyone with a positive ANA has a CTD and sometimes a person with
a negative ANA has a CTD, confusing isn't?

hugs, Robin

Hi Confused and Damouthy1 and welcome. I was tested so long ago and had so many test I would have to look at my medical records to see. I had my heart checked, CAT scan of lungs since I am a smoker and many tubes of blood. My RA and ANA came back high so was sent to rheumy and was dxd with Sjogren's. Rheumy sent me to neuro for nerve conduction test. At first my biggest problem was unexplained fatigue so they weren't doing test to rule out everything else it could be but fibro, they were looking at all areas of the body. They came to the conclusion that it was the Sjogren's causing the few aches and pains and fatigue til I went into my first real, been beaten with a baseball bat flare, and my GP did the tenderpoint test, in which he about got punched a few times for, and it all finally fell into place for him and dxd fibro.

 

If you haven't already read the fibro 101 thread it contains lots of great info.

 

luv and hugs

Marlee

Confused, The RNP showed up positive right away, so did the ssDNA. I tested negative
for all the other antibodies. After repeated tests with positive RNP and symptoms, and
biopsy I recieved my dx. I did see many specialists to help with the diagnosis: my rheumy,
neurologist, dermatologist, hematologist/oncologist. I'm thankful I have a good rheumy.

I started the diagnosis process seven years ago in other state where I lived and my ANA
was negative. The rheumy there told me he thought I had a CTD before any bloodwork
was drawn, after the ANA came back negative he changed his mind. All my aches and
pains he said were due to my osteoporosis, DDD and osteoarthritis, I don't think he believed
in fibro.

When I moved to the state where I am now living, my rheumy believed I had fibro and a
CTD and started the ball rolling. I believe I have lived with fibro for along time. He did
a tender point exam right away and started all the necessary bloodwork.

No matter what illness you find that you have, you live with it the same way, one
day at a time. Fibro is a life sentance and MCTD can be life threatening depending on
severity and progression.

I still have a good life and I am happy!

Good luck to you! Hugs, Robin

i had 4 full CBC's, 6 MRI's, upper GI test, 5 ultra sounds, a full body bone scan, doppler ultra sound of my legs, millions and millions of xrays and finally 3 full sessions of PT.

sounds a bit ridiclious doesn't it...