Positive ANA but negative ENA -help please

If I was you I'd find a new rheumatologist. A good rheumy can take in account your symptoms as well as the blood test.

Have you looked at lupus.org yet? It has the list of the 11 things to diagnose lupus. You only have to meet 4 of them. From what you have told me you meet more than the 4.

Hi and welcome to the boards, I'm sorry that you need to be here but you will find many friendly folks here.

I've had lupus for 25 years now and over the past 5 years have become really sick. I wanted to answer your question about your ESR and CRP. You can be totally healthy as far as not having an immune disorder and have an elevated ESR or CRP or both at the same time.

These measure the amounts of inflammation in our bodies, if a person becomes ill with the flu those two blood tests can come back positive and once the virus is gone they return to normal. Normally, if you don't have a DX of Lupus they check your ESR and CRP. If it stays elevated for long periods of time during their process on DX'ing you they will take note. Once they know you have lupus they watch for your inflammation markers to become positive, that happens when you flare up. They also, watch your compliment panels and if the drop that may also show a flare is happening.

It's very very frustrating getting a Dr to say yes you have lupus. As lupus is different for each and everyone of us. It's known as the disease with a 1,000 faces. They basically have to rule out everything else before giving the DX. It took my Dr's 13 years before they said yes I have it and begin to treat me. I truly believe that's partly why I'm so ill now. Some lupus folks are mild in their disease and need no medications and others are so ill they need a kidney transplant, it really varies from person to person. Sometimes, we also go through many Rheumy's before finding the correct one. I've been through like 8 or 9 over the years.

If you haven't seen a Rheumy I would suggest you ask your primary care Dr for a referral if you need one and go see one. I hope you begin to feel better and please feel free to ask any questions at any time.

Hugs,
Barbara

Hi im also new to this forum"my problems are some what the same i have been going thru this now for three years, it showed up when i turned 44 i have had 4 ana test done along with the dna smith test the ana test all 4 came back positive each time, the dna smith was negative i have all the symptoms from hair loss to mouth sores chronic pain and fatigue facial rashes eye vision has worsen, I also have muscle weakness and osteoarthrtis along with degenertive diease believe im facing ibs also now my digestive system is really bad couldnt eat for 5 days here just recently i have been on different meds but prednosine has been the only thing that some what helps,." I also have asthma and bronchial problems along with some other things!... The rhuemy is 80 years old and says its fibro thats causing this and my blood test for positive speckled homogenous means nothin, im healthy and i have been ill all this time the sun makes it worse and i cant be in the cold long either my ankles are swoll everday ....hands and feet too, I know im just getting started but im already tired also aniexty and depression i have bone spurs in my right knee and torn cartilidge my left one, I have been turned down for disability 4 times and trying to get a new doctor with no insurance... I lost my job and health behind this....its been hard going thru the clinics with no money and this doctor is thru the clinic running out of thoughts help!!! Someone tell me what u think i feel i have lupus in my gut i suffer from all the signs but he keeps dismissing it what should i do?

Post Edited (shonell) : 7/16/2013 10:34:05 PM (GMT-6)

Ok i have that same problem brain fog and some memory loss forgive me charge that to my head i do my best!

Have you looked at lupus.org? They have the list of the symptoms of lupus. You just have to meet 4 of the 11 to be diagnosed with lupus.

Show the list to your doctor at the clinic. Maybe he can get you started on plaquinil and pain relief. If it doesn't help you'll have to see a rhumy.

Good luck.