Ah, ha! Finally, a positive ANA

So after, a few years if fatigue and joint pain, my ANA was finally positive, speckled pattern 1:160. In the past 2-3 years, it was negative. They said it wasn't all that high but at least one of the tests was positive. So, what do you think about the 1:160, is that high enough to say I have lupus??? Any advice for me at this point? I am on plaquenil and feeling better. We are having to take it slow and increase the dose slowly b/c of my colitis. As always, thanks!

Unfortunately, Carol is correct, there is no one test that says yes/no about a Lupus Dx.

The Dx is made by studying the symptoms and the lab tests, then determining if you have
4 of 11 symptoms. That said, many rheumys like seeing that positive ANA (even a low positive) before they want to write Lupus on your chart.

Carol is also correct in that the main thing is to make sure your symptoms are being treated. However, if you need to or intend to try for a disability claim, either with a private company or SS, that Lupus Dx is important.

Cheers,

Well, we're REAL people, but I don't know about the 'expert' part....

My main symptoms are very achy joints and extreme fatigue.  My only tests that came up positive was my ANA and my CRP (which tests inflammation) so my rheumatologist has given me a diagnosis of UCTD (undifferentiated connective tissue disease).  Now, in addition to medications, my rheumatologist see me about every 3-4 months (as long as I am not having any more issues) with labwork, and she's mainly monitoring me for other organ involvement and waiting for something else to rear its ugly head. 

Unfortunately, the positive ANA, symptoms, and CRP didn't give me much of a diagnosis, but at least I'm functioning with the meds I'm on so I'm satisfied for the time being.

I know how all of you feel. I've has a fluctuating ANA. Always positive, always speckled with exception for the one that was run after three months on Imuran, go figure. My DUM-DUM Rheumy at the time decided that all the other were false positive and my always never changing high positive RA factor must have been a false positive as well. This is the idiot that then yanked me off all my meds including Plaquenil and put me into such a flare that I had huge hives head to toe, fatigue like I had been hit by a semi and joint pain that made go from Darvocet to Lortab 10's. That's also about the time when the migraines started. Whatever happened to "Do No Harm?" Anyway, after months of searching, a new PCP, a neurologist, a pain doctor and referal to a really promising Rheumy July 1st, I finally have some hope on the horizon. I must warn you all about pain clinics though. If you must see one because your PCP can no longer precribe pain meds for you due to Federal Laws or whatever, just becareful. Some of these place are total scams. They'll give you your drugs, but they will make you back every month, you may see a different doctor everytime, and there is no guarntee that the person you see is not a student completing their fellowship or something. I got fed up with the lack of knowledge and caring at the last place and had find another one. Sometimes good care is so hard to find, but well worth the time you invest in it. By the way, sorry for the rant.

Oh, Thanks Jeanneac, I'm not waiting until until July for relief. My PCP, who IS extremely intelligent put me back on Plaquenil and pred, started MTX two months ago, Topomax and Imitrex for Migraines via a nuerologist, Pain meds via Pain clinic, and the diagnostic tests continue. I'm hoping this new Rheumy can eventually lead to a more conclusive diagnosis as to what is ridning along with the sjogren's if anything, and to help with the ongoing treatment. I'm so happy to have that idiot out of my life and just wish there was some way to warn others about him without the worry of ending up with a slander lawsuit slapped against me. Well, we all meet our maker in the end, don't we?