HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

positive ANA and elevated RNP = no autoimmune disease?

Support Forums
>
Lupus
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 1/30/2018 12:17 AM (GMT 0)
Had my first Rheumy visit today after an episode of symptoms and positive labs. The symptoms did subside after 3 weeks and I feel fine now, but does that mean I don't have AD? My grandmother never knew she had lupus until she got renal failing and died. My mom has sjorgens.

Dr. just wants me to see him again only if I have symptoms. Is this wise?
Posted 1/30/2018 3:40 AM (GMT 0)
I believe that it is worthwhile to see multiple rhuemies if possible. Some of them are specialized in lupus while others tend to know more about RA or other autoimmune diseases. If I were you I would schedule a F/U within 3 months regardless of symptoms or flares, so that you can get examined and get blood tested. Some blood test result may show up differently as time passes, and it will help your medical team to finalize diagnosis. However, if some symptoms become worse it is wise to seek medical help from Rhuemy or other doctors.
Posted 2/3/2018 10:15 PM (GMT 0)
It is possible that you will go and stay in remission but that is not the usual path. Once you have an AI disease it is usually your "friend" for life. Lupus presents in many ways and I had blood symptoms for 15 years with no clinical symptoms and then I did. Pay attention more to how you feel. That fact that you have positive labs on ANA and RNP is important but these are not generally followed once it is established that you have an AI disease. They are not good indicators of disease activity or severity. Some patients can be positive, particularly to ANA and never develop any disease. RNP is more associated with an overlap condition called Mixed connective tissue disease which could develop symptoms of SLE lupus, polymyositis and scleroderma. I have MCTD but only had symptoms of lupus and PM....that was enough. If you exhibit any of the symptoms of these diseases you should see your rheumy and seek treatment.

Hopefully you will not but do not ignore any symptoms.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply