Can I have lupus without ever having high ana

I have low white count of 2.6 after depression drug celexa.  It can be an infrequent side effect.  No one is buying this and sent me to hemo dr who wants to do bone marrow biopsy. I have always had bouts of painful joints.  Many doctors, cardio, dermo, have looked at me and checked for lupus.  Never positive.  I have the butterfly rash diagnosed as roscea.  5 y0 granddaughter had very high ana with swollen and painful knee and ankle last year.  It also presented with rash from knees down.  When discharged from hospital followed up with RA specialist.  Still had high Ana but other symptoms gone so not diagnosed.  Got me thinking about my own symptoms over the years.  They asked if anyone else has arthritis or lupus in family.  No one.  All my blood test were normal except wbc 2.6 (normally low 4 for me all my life)  6 months on Celexa and it dropped.  Lymphocytes were also high 54.8.  They want to do a bone marrow biopsy and I am frightened out of my skin.  Anxiety has taken away my appetite and causng me to lose weight.  On my insistance they will wait 5 weeks before biopsy but gastro doc reran it two days ago.  No results yet.  Worrying.  I also have had gastro problems for a long time.  Getting colonoscopy next week.  Think I have ibs.  Have all the symptoms.  I know there's a lot of experience and knowlege right here.  I appreciate anything you can share.  Prayers are also appreciated.  Thank you.\

Lucy

Hi Lucy and welcome. Barb gave you some great information and I really don't have a lot to add. I have read the same things that Barb told you about ANA and lupus. I have a positive ANA but it's fairly low which made it harder for me to get diagnosed. My son also has a mildly positive ANA, but sometimes his is negative. He has joint pain and fatigue and is being treated for juvenile arthritis, but there are new things coming up in his case now, so we're not exactly sure what is going on. As I'm sure you are figuring out, lupus can be a very difficult disease to diagnose. I don't blame you for being scared about the bone marrow biopsy - the whole thing sounds pretty scary. Like Barb said, several members here have had it done, so they can tell you their experience with it. Barb is a great resource and support for people who are going to have the biopsy since she has been through it many times herself. Please feel free to ask any other questions you and also know that we are here if you need some support during rough times. Take care and I'm glad you joined us.

Thank you all for your responses. My mind is going crazy. I'm so afraid of what I might have. I am obsessing mostly about leukemia and lymphoma because they are on the paper the doctor gave me describing the bone marrow biopsy. I'm happy to have found this forum.

Lucy

Did they do a bmb on you to rule out leukemia?

Hi Lucy:

I know it's hard not to focus on the leukemia and lymphoma. Those are very very serious things that someone has to deal with. If I may, I have a rare blood cancer that stands a 30-40% of turning into full blown leukemia. I could focus on this all the time and drive my doctors insane and myself. I've come to accept that I've got a blood cancer, it's not going to get better. I will at some point need to attempt a bone marrow transplant to ATTEMPT to save my life. In other words I'm going to be terminal somewhere in the next few years or sooner. Like said in another post, we all are dying each day some, but I'm dying at a faster rate than I would. What I'm trying to pass on to you is, that I know it's hard not to worry. I do it a lot, but we sometimes get into situations that we have no control of. I'd suggest you stay away from reading up on the DX'ing process and what happens IF you have one of these. Wait until you've had your bmb. We've had several members here who have been in the same place you are and their tests were negative. Please keep faith in whatever higher power and remember that if you've got lupus, stress and worrying will only make you feel worse. I'll be more than happy to discuss what happens when you do your bmb. I understand where you are totally at, I've been there. I certainly didn't mean to offend you in anyway, I'm just trying to encourage you to take a deep breath and try to relax. I truly understand what you're feeling. ((hugs)) to you and I wish you well, please keep us updated on how you're doing.

Ann, to respond to your email, people can have a positive ANA w/o having lupus. Normally, healthy ppl can have a fairly high ANA w/o any signs or symptoms of lupus. I know from reading your posts that you surely have something going on. I know you're very disappointed in the care that you've had so far. I also know that you're frustration is through the roof. A typically butterfly rash will be across your cheeks up the bridge of the nose. My rash is across my cheeks and on the bridge of my nose. Of course, that being said we each react differently to our lupus and it can be different in each of us. I hope you get some answers soon.

Take care both Lucy and Ann.

Barbara

Hi Lucy:

Oh no, I'm so sorry to hear that you're not feeling well. How's your temp today? Are you on any immuno suppressive drugs at this time? Are you bleeding from where they removed the polyp? I'm sorry that your husband isn't treating you better. It's a shame when our spouses act like they do, we'd never treat them that way if they were sick. Sounds like you may need a different doctor. Do you have a different doctor dealing with your other issues? If you do, maybe you could give them a call and see if they'd be willing to take a look at you.

I hope you begin to feel better, please don't wait if you feel worse, go to the ER. Let us know how you're doing when you feel up to it. You'll be in my prayers.

Take care,
Barbara

I just got my results back from when the Neuro ordered blood on Monday. My ANA was negative again. First time negative, second time positive, and now negative again. Funny thing, this ANA isn't it?