Went to MY doctor..

I can completely understand why you're upset and frustrated over all this.  Let's see how we can help you...

Okay, your ANA is NOT border line.  That is a strong positive result.  I was diagnosed with lupus with that same ANA titre.  Borderline is 1:20, 1:80.  On the other hand.... Lots of people have a positive ANA of that titre or higher, and don't have autoimmune problems of any kind.  So the general population of healthy people will have a strong positive ANA.

Your sed rate is perfectly normal.  Normal is 0-20.  If you were having inflammatory issues that lupus would create, that number would be at least 40 and probably closer to 100+. Fibro isn't inflammatory and a sed rate will be normal.  

The symptoms you mentioned in your post are all very strong Fibro symptoms. Someone with Fibro can have a positive ANA.  Most will have a normal sed rate, and other normal test results.  Did you take a look at the link I sent you in another posting regarding the 11 criteria for lupus? Unless you have at least 4 of them, you won't get a lupus diagnosis. 

So to summarize, your ANA is not borderline.  It's a strong positive, but lots of people who don't have any autoimmune diseases will have that kind of ANA titre.  Just because it's a strong positive, doesn't mean you have lupus or anything else autoimmune.  It's just a place where doctors can start to look at your symptoms,etc, and put together a plan or a diagnosis.  

I hope this helps.  I know it's frustrating.  I think treating your Fibro is so important.  It's not easy to do, but believe me, having Fibro is much better than having lupus.  I'd be feeling very relieved to know that your blood work looks fine and you don't have any inflammation going on anywhere.  That is so fortunate.

Ginny 

Keo8,

I may have missed your post myself.  Have not been able to be on the computer for awhile.  I can sit up, or stand up, for an hour and half, or so, and become so much in pain that I cannot do anything but lay down flat.  today I am using my time to respond to all of you here.  for selfish reasons maybe.  I am helped by people here.  so my time of an hour or two hours are going to be used here, and then I will lay down;)

I truly did not mean to ignore your post here.  Just was not able to be on the computer.

I can't imagine laying in the sun......ever.  I avoid the sun, as much as possible, especially in the summer time.  I have my own theory on that.  It seems that the summer sun is worse than the winter sun.  It is closer to us in the summer, and maybe this is why it makes it harder on me and some others to be in the sun.

I used to cut my grass by a push mower in the summer.  I always had my house clean, and then cut the grass the next day.  i knew when I was cutting the grass that it would make me sick,  for two or three days.  It would feel like I had the flu.  Walking in a flea market for a couple of hours on  Sunday, would make me the same way.  It tends to determine how much of the sun I am exposed to, that reveals how sick I will be.

I am apologize for being unable to respond to your post.

Hester

Hey KEO8,

thanks for your input.  Some of the pain must have been caused by stress.  yesterday was stressful.  a lot of family politics to deal with.  and we all know that stress can cause a flare.  but the pain is much less intense than it was yesterday.  still doing my five minutes of work, to my 15 minutes of rest.

Hester