Does an ANA negative test mean you definitely don’t have lupus?

Lupus is not really diagnosed by bloodwork - it is more difficult than that to pin down and is diagnosed by symptoms. Typically, four or more of the following eleven criteria must be present to make a diagnosis of Systemic Lupus.

1. Malar rash: butterfly-shaped rash across cheeks and nose
2. Discoid (skin) rash: raised red patches
3. Photosensitivity: skin rash as result of unusual reaction to sunlight
4. Mouth or nose ulcers: usually painless
5. Arthritis (non-erosive) in two or more joints, along with tenderness, swelling, or effusion. With non-erosive arthritis, the bones around joints don’t get destroyed.
6. Cardio-pulmonary involvement: inflammation of the lining around the heart (pericarditis) and/or lungs (pleuritis)
7. Neurological disorder: seizures and/or psychosis
8. Renal (kidney) disorder: excessive protein in the urine, or cellular casts in the urine
9. Hematologic (blood) disorder: hemolytic anemia, low white blood cell count, or low platelet count
10. Immunologic disorder: antibodies to double stranded DNA, antibodies to Sm, or antibodies to cardiolipin
11. Antinuclear antibodies (ANA): a positive test in the absence of drugs known to induce it.

ANA is only one of the criteria - you can have Lupus both with and without a positive ANA. Have you ever seen a rheumotolgist? That is the only Dr who I would trust to make a definitive Lupus diagnosis.

Best wishes.

You sound exactly like I did over 18 years ago before I got my final diagnosis. I was going through the exact same things as you are and since I looked good I couldn't get a doctor to take me seriously finally after several blood tests about 3 years in to trying to get a diagnosis the Ana finally came and it was positive so it took a while but they kept redoing the test and it finally did show it very very frustrating to be in your shoes I've been there I know I'll say a prayer for you and hopefully they will get all of this figured out very soon

Thank you Alvin’s wife and Darla. Lol deals it’s true I actually look pretty sick but I’m good at makeup and dress and I am one of those people that smile when I want to die. Not sure why. I feel weak if I act like I feel.
Thank you both for sharing. All prayers appreciated. Darla how many times did they take the ANA? Some weeks I am so bad I literally feel like I belong in a hospital bed. Maybe that’s when I should have it retaken. I work from home full time same job 22 years another reason they think I must be okay. Some days when I have meetings I sob on the way because I’m in so much pain, I sit through the meeting and go home to bed until next day. It’s a crazy way to live.
Thank you and well wishes to you both.
Sue

Dear sbennet51
Back in 85 my ANA was neg as well. I had 9 of the criteria as addressed above; however, I just kept being prescribed more and more steroids. Finally, I was sent to Shands Hospital in Gainsville, FL where they just said deal with it and took me off everything except a "cream" (important that is was a cream) called Trisildon.
Of course the steroids caused massive destruction of the cartilage in my joints and eventually, I could not even walk.
Fast forward to now, I am currently taking Humira thanks to the Abvie foundation. Do I like it? NO Has it helped? Yes. Are the side effects worth it? IDK
I hope you find help. kind regards

SB, I totally understand wanting a diagnosis! And not just any old diagnosis, but something that helps others (and ourselves) understand. My family either expects previous performance or doesn't speak of my 'situation.' Drives me crazy because I should not be an embarrassment...I did not cause this and I don't want it and I suffer. Lots of things hurt and I don't feel well a lot of the time. That said...I am not even sure it matters. Terms like arthritis or lupus do not really let anybody know what it is like anymore than somebody can tell someone else what it feels like to be discriminated against. I think a correct diagnosis might help with getting proper treatment and knowing a projected course. That would be good, unless it is grim in which case, maybe not!

Happy New Year and I hope it is a good one for you with some answers. I have really hoped for significant ANA results (I have the complement results you have as well) for a definitive answer. It is what it is.

So powerful, Lynnwood. Thanks for posting that today. I am familiar with the Spoon Theory and think of it often as I feel wiped out or something reminds me but I don't think I had read the article before. This view definitely rings true to me about myself, but I find others around me don't want me to be sick or to hurt and they listen to what I am saying and then ask me if I feel better the next time we talk. I think that is what I am frustrated with...people get hurt or sick, they have surgery, whatever and they get better. These diseases are things we battle and will battle. I guess sometimes it is lack of understanding and sometimes they do not want to understand because it makes them sad.

Thanks for sharing...definitely staying in my head.

SB. ( Sorry my hands are bad)...I relate so much to so much of what you said. Sending comfort.

I am so very sorry you have to deal with this! 1985 was my first encounter with the butterfly rash, etc., etc., Predisone was then the answer! For way too many years. I guess I am a tad upset about how I was treated. It Took finally going to Shands Medical in Gainsville, FL to get off of those drugs and tough it out. Maybe, they didn't know. I don't know. I do not complain (okay, maybe a little venting) It is so hard these days just to get some relief. I guess I am just having a bad day. So sorry if I ruined your high. Stick with it. I am on Humira now and have even more issues. Please, moderators, don't block me ~ just so frustrated.
xoxo zen

Oh my gosh -- I don't know if anyone is still reading this thread, but I relate TO SO MUCH of what has been shared. I am at the beginning of this journey; I have been having symptoms for about five years....its comes in waves of debilitating pain, which gets worse every year; extreme fatigue and a number of other "symptoms", yet my ANA is only slightly positive. I cried myself home from work today because the test results came in from this round of feeling awful, and its always the same answer...there is no answer. Four days of missed work, family and friends that don't understand...ugh...I loved the Spoon Theory. Thank you all so much for sharing!