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could I have lupus with a negative ana?

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Posted 5/10/2017 9:31 PM (GMT 0)
I have been having symptoms for the past few years. It started out with horrible breast pain. Then one armpit started hurting and burning..it moved to the other armpit eventually. I had a mammogram and everything was fine. Then the base of my skull on each side started hurting for 3 months. I had a cervical MRI and it was fine. Then one day my jaw line and throat started to be tender. All of these things I believe are glands and nodes. These symptoms happen frequently. I have been getting the malar rash off and on. Today, I mowed, then showered and I had the butterfly rash. My face feels tight. I've been on antibiotics a few times over the past few years and it helps but comes right back. I have taken prednisone probably 4 or 5 times over the last few years and it helps my symptoms but as soon as I've finished the prescription, symptoms come back. In between all of this I got a few boils in my armpit and was on antibiotics for 20 days and developed a rash. I'm not ure if it was due to the antibiotics or not. I went to the care because the rash wasn't going away. The nurse practitioner said it looked like vasculitis or petechiae so they did a CBC, which apparently was normal because they just said I developed a rash and put me on prednisone. It went away. I don't really have joint pain. I do have Raynauds. My fingers turn white when I'm cold or nervous. I do have some muscular pain. I've started to get spider veins all over my les. I have a blue line under my eye. I have upper cheek edema. I've seen several doctors. My most recent did do a ANA and it was negative. So, that was it. I've had gland tenderness for close to years..So, my question is, could I still have lupus or an autoimmune disease with a negative ANA? I'm sorry for the rambling, but I'm just not sure what to do anymore. Any advice??? Anybody? Please!
Posted 5/10/2017 11:52 PM (GMT 0)
I'm a newbie but I do have somewhat of an answer. I was asking my rheumatologist a million lab questions last appointment. He said 1-5% of SLE patients can have a negative ANA. So it's obviously rare but possible. (I'm ANA positive but he was just talking in general of ANAs)

I don't have much advice but keep seeking help. It took me 4 doctors before one took me seriously. Months later I was diagnosed with SLE. Good luck!
Posted 5/11/2017 2:19 AM (GMT 0)
Lupus is diagnosed by having 4 or more of the 11 diagnostic symptoms. Check the 'Diagnosing Lupus' link in my signature. A positive ANA is just a general sign for Drs that something is wrong they need to look at more closely - lots of diseases that often accompany a positive ANA can also be present with a negative ANA.

However, I am more concerned with the rash on the breasts/armpit/lymph nodes - have you been checked for Inflammatory Breast Cancer? It presents as a rash!!! www.11alive.com/news/no-lump-no-tumor-the-breast-cancer-disguised-as-a-skin-rash/435992988

Let us know.
Posted 5/11/2017 11:04 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the replies. I haven't been checked for inflammatory breast cancer, at least I don't think. I have had a few mammograms, but my breasts really don't hurt anymore. Occasionally, maybe. I don't have a rash on my breasts or armpits. Maybe I didn't describe my symptoms correctly. I just get a rash on my face usually when I'm hot or been outside in the sun. I have had several doctors look and feel my breasts and armpits. Haha! They can't feel my nodes, but I'm sure that's what it is. I don't know what else to do. I'm at a loss. All blood work comes back fine so the doctors basically say they don't know what it is. One said it was anxiety and tried to put me on Zoloft. That's not my problem. I forgot to mention that my legs burn, especially after getting out of the shower. I do appreciate you all for replying to my post. If you have anymore suggestions, please feel free to share. Thanks!! smile
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