I have at least 3 criteria, do I qualify???

Hi Hun, welcome to the group. At this point I think you are doing all the things you can. Getting the tests done and seeing a Rheumy. With Reynauds you could easily have any type of auto immune disease. Not of which are pleasant. The low ANA doesn't really mean much, people here with Lupus don't always have a posstive ANA. There really isn't any way that anyone can tell you what is going on. Even your rheumy may take a while to figure it out. I have been testing possitive ANA for years and they still don't have me nailed down. I have a few suggestions for ya. Get a notebook. Take your temp 3 times a day and write it down. If you have a rash (they don't all look like the one on the computer) Take pictures of it because you probably won't have it when you see the doctor. Anything even if you think it's nothing may be very important for a diagnoses. Loosing hair, sweating, itching, fatigue, muscles aches. tell them about the ulcers and nos bleeds let the doctor determine what he/she thinks it is.
I had to have my gallbladder out 8 years ago. I still have the RUQ pain. My rheumy thinks it's PBC primary biliary cirrosis which is also autoimmune. and is treated basically the same with the same drugs as lupus. So I know this is all just as clear as mud to you but keep asking questions tell your doctor everything. If you don't get answers from him seek another doctor. There are people who have gone 10 years or more trying to get a comfirmation. Usually they put you on meds for your symptoms even if they don't have an answer yet.
You're right we do try to support each other here it's a wonderful group.
let us know how your tests come out and keep asking questions
welcome
carol

Dear Okie,

Thanks so much, it's so nice to hear from someone who's going/gone through this already. I appreciate all of your words and feedback more than you know. I am hoping to see a nephrologist before any gall bladder surgery- to rule out any link with lupus or anything else that might be associated/linked to the upper right quadrant pain.

Always Rosie,

Thank you also! I realized that I forgot to mention the ANA was speckled!

On a side note: as one might surmise from my "code name", I do prefer natural methods of medication, health relief, etc....so I'm not apt to jump on a Dr.'s prescriptions right away if they do decide to get me on something without further investigation...I guess I'm skeptical of modern day medicine in some respects....but thankful for other reasons.

Anyone elses' inputs are greatly appreciated as well :)

Thanks everyone!

Gidget,

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you :)

I would always research the ins and outs of medications before omitting anything. I just prefer the alternative medicines over the "FDA approved" medicines- mainly because of the FDA's track record with putting things on the shelves- only to remove them later (oops!). If something has been around 25-30 years, I tend to feel better about taking it if the research has been done and the population has proven it's useful effects vs. the negative effects.

I will definitely stick to my guns with getting a good rheumatologist. It's funny because my Primary Care Doc. didn't want to test me for the ANA at first. We're military and go to a military facility for health care. Because of the area we live in, the Clinic here on our military base is having a hard time getting Docs, let alone keeping them- nobody likes living here (not even me!). Point being, I have already tried several different docs, PA's and NP's, and had to start over with each of them. This last Doc. (she's really a NP), the one who ordered the ANA- had only seen me once when I requested the ANA. I have to tell you I felt like she was in a rush and couldn't be bothered with many of my concerns. She actually told me to "keep (my) your list" (of concerns) as she left the examination room. She's a civilian Nurse Practitioner by the way- not military- she just works at the military clinic. She didn't order the ANA until after I called the clinic- a few days after my initial visit with her- and then after I spoke to her nurse (who is a man and was much more helpful) did I get my lab tests ordered. I just saw the NP 2 days ago- and since the positive ANA, she changed her tune towards me. I also brought my husband (in his flight suit) as my support- I feel she took my concerns much more seriously with him next to me and with the ANA results. She is just waiting on my RF and DNA results before she sends me along to the rheumy (which will be "out in town" at a "civilian" facility, not military). The results should be back within the week- and then begins my search for a good rheumatologist.

Just for a side note...I don't particularly feel bad on a daily basis...but then again, I suppose I could be at the most benign stages of lupus if at all?? I recall bouts in the past of feeling tired, of having pleuritic episodes where I feel I couldn't catch enough breath and/or the pain in my lung that felt like a "stitch" in my side (I was actually diagnosed with pleurisy a long time ago by a doc. I saw one time only), Reynaud's is constant (whenever I get cold enough), and the rosacea-type rash I've had since the birth of my first baby over 10 years ago. I've not had any miscarriages- that I know of, nor were my pregnancies particularly difficult. Other strange symptoms I've had besides the gall-bladder type attacks (just a couple a few months back), is bad cramps in my calf- and a lingering feeling of a knot there after (which I was screened for venous thrombosis, per my request, and it was negative). I have varicose veins, pronounced in my left leg. I also feel dizzy upon sitting/standing up some times. Sometimes my arms feel numb when I am just laying in bed with my arms setting upon my belly. During my upper quadrant sonogram, the Doc found 2 spots that he thought were kidney stones- but "nothing to be concerned about", I've been told by my NP. I also have had, since the birth of my 3rd baby, a raw, burning and gnawing feeling in my stomach (duodenum?), whenever my stomach is really empty-particularly in the a.m. times- but not always. I've been tested for H.Pylori via blood work, had the G.I. /endoscopy series all about 6 years ago, with no true diagnosis- yet this ulcer-like feeling has not ever gone away (it's been 7 years). Just wondering if any one of you have had/ or has these symptoms?? I don't know how much of this pain in the stomach, the gall stones, the kidney stones, etc. might or may not tie in with possibilities of lupus.

Organicchick,
I think you have enough issues to throw up a flag and they need to be checked out more. At least they're running some more specific blood tests. You will make sure to post a message when you get your results, won't you?

I've had a few dsDNA's done in the past, this is the first time that it has ever come back positive. Some articles I've read says that the dsDNA is an indication of the severity of the disease is on you and if there is organ involvement. Then I'll turn around and read something that says the total opposite. It really does get very annoying to constantly read conflicting explanations. I honestly would go more on what the others here in this forum have experienced in their blood tests and symptoms than anything else. There is a lot of good people on here that is more than willing to take time to sit down and answer whatever questions you have or just to listen when you have to blow off steam no matter how trivial it sounds. It's kinda nice, everyone here is like the "perfect friend". The best thing you've done for yourself so far is find this forum.

I believe there are a few people on the forum who are seeing dr's on an military base and can offer some good advice how to get some help.

Hello Veronica:

I noticed on your post that you are treated by military docs. I am too at bethesda naval hospital. Make sure you keep a copy of all your medical records. I've got 7 volumes and I'm a seriously big "stump" to my doctors. I've got a dx of lupus, but it could be UCTD, or MCTD. I was treated by all the meds offered for the lupus and I was one of the "rare" few that ended up getting cancer from my treatments. So now I sit with lupus/RA/Fibro/Gastroparesis/MDS (blood cancer). I'm going to need a bone marrow transplant to save my life.

So I'd just say make sure you keep close eye on your records and I know how the system works we've been in the military for 22 yrs and have just recently retired. If I can be of any help in any way please give me a shout. I hope you don't have lupus. Seeing a rheumy is most important and they'll be able to tell you if it's a malar rash. You take care and keep in touch.

Take care,
Barbara