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ANA and Lupus Positive

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Posted 4/27/2013 2:08 AM (GMT 0)
Hello Everyone

I just received news last October that I was ANA positive. An allergist explained to me that I am positive for this and told me I had a 2.9 White Blood cell count. I called back in December to find this out he wanted me to have another blood test done. Told me to see my Family doctor. I went to my Family Doctor for my "yearly" check up and I was to do a blood test I went in January, I was told I was positive for ANA and Positive for Lupus. I am confused! Does Positive for Lupus mean I have this? or I am a carrier of this?. My Family Docotor asked me if I had any joint problems. I explained that I have had knee problems for 14 years but was told back then that I had fluid underneath my knee caps and if I continued firgure skating and landing on my knees I would have to have a needle stuck in my knee to drain out the fluid. She sent me to a Rhemolgoist (doctor of arthritis, skin disorders) and he found absoultely nothing wring with me when he was testing me. He said he found me"interesting" he told me to wait 7 days after my period commenced and go and get an updated blood test and come back to see him in a month and bring my husband; he had things on there that I do not know what half of the things are! He hand written other testing to have done. I went and had 8 to 10 viles of blood taken. I began to loose my hearing and turn bleach white! I have had a history of being low on B12 (low red blood cells) and fainting. I have my appointment in a couple of weeks with the Rhemorologist! I am terrified I dont know if I have Lupus and if I do there is no cure! It could be fatal! I am freaking out because I have a 16 month old and I am not ready to die! Can anyone answer my questions??
Posted 4/27/2013 3:13 AM (GMT 0)
 

Hi and Welcome to this site!

This  is a great place for getting your questions answered and finding support.  I was diagnosed with Lupus in 1997.  I probably had it for 10 years before that based on symptoms and what I was going through with my health.  Lupus is difficult to diagnose.  It can be the great mimicker and very elusive.  When I was diagnosed I felt a sense of relief, but I also felt a sense of dread.  It is a manageable disease and some people live long, relatively healthy lives. I am still working, I still take walks, enjoy my garden and even go camping.  I have just learned to modify what I do, like not backpacking 60 miles any more.....but then I am 60 years old, so that would be crazy anyway smilewinkgrin .  Lupus can be mild to moderate to severe.  And there are medications and lifestyle changes that can help to manage the disease.  If I were you, I would see a Rheumatologist immediately.  They have the expertise and the knowledge to help you though the process.  When I first started getting really sick, my family doctor referred me to a Rheumatologist and we went from there.

Laura

Posted 4/27/2013 5:34 AM (GMT 0)
Hi and welcome to the lupus group.

I want to encourage you to take a deep breath and try to calm down. Like Laura said lupus can take a long time to diagnose. I've had lupus for over 25 years now it took the Dr's 13 years before they finally agreed yep that is what's wrong and began treating me. I'm one of the unfortunate ones and I have severe lupus.

Lupus varies from patient to patient. Some have very mild cases where they require NONE to one or two medications. Some patients are moderate and others are severe. Lupus nowadays ISN'T a death sentence. Patients with lupus rarely die like they use to. You are correct there isn't a cure for lupus but it can be managed and some go remission and are totally off medications.

I'm a bit confused, you said you saw the Rheumy and he said that you didn't have lupus, but wanted you to get more blood work done. When you got the blood work done is that when you turned white and felt like you were losing your hearing? Cause if that happened while getting your blood done, I'm gonna guess you were feeling like you were gonna faint.

Have you been to www.lupus.org they have the list of 11 symptoms that are associated with lupus, you must have 4 of the 11 to be told you have lupus.

A postive ANA without any other symptoms DOES NOT mean you have lupus. There are a lot of things that can cause a positive ANA. My daughter has had a positive ANA since she was like 7 and had no symptoms of lupus. She's now 20 and her ANA is now negative.

I would make a list of any symptoms you have and take it to your appointment with your Rheumy. Try not to get to worked up yet over this, by the sound of what you have going on I personally don't think you have severe lupus to the point that you need to worry about dying. Mind you though I'm not a Dr can I'm not giving an expert opinion.

Stress is a huge issue with lupus patients as it can make us flare and feel worse, so check out the lupus site and wait and see what the Rheumy has to say.

Good luck and let us know what you find out.

Hugs,
Barbara
Posted 4/27/2013 8:24 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome,

For the most part we all survive. Attitude, diet and everyday stress has to do with how well. I stay away from the prescription meds. I will do so when my staying away from flare foods and taking the proper vitamins. I take 3grams of omega 3 fish oil, 3 grams of evening in primrose, 2 hyaluronic joint complex,
40mg. of Lutein, 4grams of Curcumin and 5mg Astaxanthin a day. This keep my pain down to a rummble and my eyes are getting better all the time. Before you do something like this you need to check with you doctor or pharmacist to be sure they won't interphere with your prescription meds. Before starting this...I was at a contant 6-8 and now I am at a 2 most of the time with an occasional 4-6 if I eat what I shouldn't. Just because this works for me...doesn't mean it will work for you. Check each one of the supplements on the web in conjunction with lupus and sjorgrens...you will be amazed!
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