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Posted 5/23/2008 12:58 PM (GMT 0)
Had the blood test redone yesterday....for the DNA double strand something or other... won't know results til next week.....can anyone tell me about this test?  The first time they did it, it came back indetermanent.....I asked the lab lady about that, she said, it probably means positive, but on a low side....

I haven't a clue about tests, numbers, levels...any of that....

 

 

Posted 5/26/2008 10:21 PM (GMT 0)
An abnormal Anti ds DNA result is regarded as confirming a lupus diagnosis if there are other symptoms because it is more or less specific to lupus. However it is not essential for a lupus diagnosis.
Perhaps it would be an idea to see a dermatologist about your skin problems. A biopsy could determine if they are due to lupus. If you have been already diagnosed with true discoid lupus you should already be on Plaquenil. Other meds would follow depending on other symptoms and the response to Plaquenil.

There are a few ways of testing for anti ds-DNA and some are more reliable than others. It's usually better to have tests done by the same lab

HTH
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Posted 5/27/2008 8:04 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Sunshine, Bloodwork is only part of the picture. . . and is sometimes negative at times. Click on the link at the end of my signature . . . "Lupus Criteria 4 of 11". You'll see how lupus is diagnosed. Even some doctors get this wrong. What kind of problems/symptoms are you having? Blessings!
Posted 5/27/2008 1:35 PM (GMT 0)
Let's see, the other symptoms:

Hypothyroidism

Raynouds

Arthritis in thumbs and hips, bursitis too (just since the beginning of this year)

numbness in foot

joint pain

rash that started on face, but prefers the neck

blurry vision at times

chest pain when taking a deep breath or sneezing

shortness of breath

major major major fatigue

headaches that happen right before a major fatigue ....

the fatigue is usually on going, but once I get that headache, it seems to trigger a time when I just can't seem to stay awake!

they did find blood cells in urine

I think that is about it for now...may have forgotten something, but those are the major ones.

 

Posted 5/27/2008 2:41 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Sunshine, Sorry . . can't remember if you are working with PCP or rheumy. If you aren't working with a rheumatologist, I would ask for a referral. The typical doc just can't be expected to keep up with all the autoimmune stuff. These autoimmune illnesses so overlap each other that it takes some real detective work to piece everything together. Your list of symptoms should be carefully prepared for the doctor/rheumatologist as these are WAY important. If a doctor ignores your list, its really not a good sign. These are great clues to your diagnosis and therefore to your treatment. As you prepare your list for the doctor, make sure to concisely but intentionally describe each one. I find it difficult to do this thinking in the doctor's office, so I spend a lot of time preparing this list. So you might want to describe your fatigue (does it prevent you from working? is it worse in the morning or as your day progresses? does a nap help? does a short walk help? or make it worse? and then the joint pain: does it burn? ache? swelling? no swelling? worse in the morning? worse as the day progresses? what triggers the pain? what helps it? I hope you get some clue with your blood work. I know how frustrating it is waiting for a doctor's appointment, hoping to get some help and then being dismissed because they just don't understand what you are going thru. Keep us posted!! Blessings!
Posted 5/27/2008 10:06 PM (GMT 0)
What were the results of the ANA test ? ( I can't access your earlier posts) ANA can be low titre with hypothyroidism.
Hypothyroidism is not a criterion or even symptom for a lupus diagnosis. A few symptoms can resemble those of lupus but they should go when the thyroid is treated effectively. A skin biopsy might help with the lupus diagnosis.
Maybe you don't have lupus per se but an autoimmune connective tissue disease which would be treated the same way as lupus
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