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What other tests should I ask for?

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Posted 6/21/2010 5:57 PM (GMT 0)
Recently, my ANA went positive 1:180 speckled pattern and my rheumy tested for Sjogrens anti ss-a and ss-b which were negative. Also the anti centromre b antibodies were negative.

Is there anything else I need to ask for to get a correct diagnosis? I am thinking scleroderma tests need to be re-run. Aren't there some other lupus tests he needs to order? I have joint pain, extreme fatigue with a rash they say is localized scleroderma. Sed rate is 40.

He put me on plaquenil. It's been a month now, no real change yet except a little less fatigue, pain is being controlled right now with cymbalta but I need to get off it b/c it gives me anxiety and insomnia.

I have an apt tomorrow with the rheumy. Any suggestions? I want relief and some answers as to what is wrong. He thinks it is MCTD or an overlap disease but shouldn't other tests be run for these to confirm?
Posted 6/22/2010 12:25 AM (GMT 0)
I have no idea what other tests could be run except a DNA and truthfully I think most of these tests are as unreliable as the ANA as for giving absolute dxes. I think you may just have to have faith in your doctor's ability to see the whole picture and make a dx based on his knowledge and experience. You need to go with the flow as long as you are being treated and make sure you tell him the side effects you are having from the cymbalta. You don't want to keep those side effects or be given a replacement that is worse as far as side effects go. I wish I could help more but am having trouble thinking right now. Sorry if I sounded mean or angry.
Posted 6/22/2010 3:06 AM (GMT 0)
Did they reflex your ANA? That tests for all sorts of things, SS-A, SS-B, DS-DNA, RNP, phospholipid, centromere, etc. etc. etc. And what was the pattern of the ANA? There's not too much else to do.. a lot of diagnosis is symptomatic.

None of them are "lupus tests," they are just tests for different antibodies which can be indicative of different illnesses.
Posted 6/22/2010 2:28 PM (GMT 0)
They did the SS-A and SS_B and they were negative. So were the tests for Sjogren's-:) My pattern was speckled. I read on the lab report about the dz. that go along with that. I just want to feel better, ya know? I have all this stuff going on and I want to know why. I think they are all related. I want treatment and I want to feel better. So far, not a lot is working. I have an apt with the rheumy today.

I have a skin rash that the biopsy says is skin scleroderma, I have inflammation in my colon they say isn't crohn's or UC despite a positive IBD ASCA test for crohn's, I have joint pain and fatigue. Sometimes I don't know who to call, the rheumatologist or the GI doc. I think it is all related.

Thanks CelticCail........

redrose going with the flow isn't so easy when you aren't being treated and not getting relief. That's why I am upset.
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