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Help! I have a ANA Titer of 1:32

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Posted 4/21/2012 3:35 AM (GMT 0)
I am a 53 yr old white caucausin woman.I have an ANA titer of 1:32.  The only symptoms that I have are something going on with my face skin that looks like missing skin. The shapes start as tiny circles and get bigger. It doesn't stop. They are all on the surface. My neck has them also.  I am naive and am just learning about positive ANA titers and what they mean.  I also have gotten a bolt of lightning in my heart twice and a totally different heart pain another 2 times.  I don't have joint or muscle pains or open sores in my mouth.

My Rhumotoligist ran some tests and everything came back negative with a Homegenous pattern.

Not sure what Homegenous pattern means..

I don't have fatigue but did for 6 wks  in the winter time. I am very worried about my face and the skin that keeps lookiing like small lakes that get large.  I also have flare ups on my neck, lip, and face and it finally calmed down after 2 solid weeks of flare ups.

I got off a medication called "Minocycline" for rosecea and I still have the face rashes that don't stop.

Can anyone help me?  the doctor accidentally stubbled on the Positive ANA when I went in for my hip pain.

I have been very upset, depressed, and can't calm myself down because of this. I have read that the skin sign is the beginning of Lupus.  I cannot find photo's of early stage Lupus skin problems on the internet.

Any feedback on any of what I wrote is appreciated.

rolleyes

Posted 4/21/2012 8:28 PM (GMT 0)
What you're describing sounds like discoid lupus which affects the skin with sores. I know very little about that kind of lupus. Are You seeing a dermotologist who is knowledgable in skin issues?

When I was first diagnosed I was upset and depressed too. The pain and fatigue still gets to me some days. You'll learn to roll with the punches as they come along.


This is from the Lupus.org website:

The pattern of the ANA test can sometimes be helpful in determining which autoimmune disease is present and which treatment program is appropriate.
The homogeneous, or smooth pattern is found in a variety of connective tissue diseases, as well as in people taking particular drugs, such as certain antiarrhythmics, anticonvulsants or antihypertensives.
This homogenous pattern is also the one most commonly seen in healthy individuals who have positive ANA tests.

Go to the Lupus.org website and read through the site for more information on patterns and testing.
Posted 4/21/2012 10:17 PM (GMT 0)
These are discoids and they are part of Lupus. I have had them and they can be reduced with steroids. But you must see a Dermatologist that knows about Lupus the sooner the better!
Posted 4/26/2012 2:40 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you Shaky157 and couchtater.

Do you have SLE also or Discoid Lupus or both??

Do the Steroids have a lot of side effects?

My dermotologist appt. isn't until May 1st. I have been waiting for awhile and have had a hard time getting a dermotoligst appt sooner. My face has what looks like a burn on the right cheek. I got if from staring at my face under bathroom bright lights. I went to bed that night and felt my cheek burning. Has anyone ever had this?
Posted 4/26/2012 2:47 AM (GMT 0)
If someone has a Postive ANA and a skin problem starts......does it mean lupus for sure?? OR can other diseases start with face circles, shapes, and other shapes that resemble lakes,also have 3 pin holes in a grouping that grow bigger?? Almost all of my shapes have or started with a very small empty circle.
Posted 4/26/2012 10:47 PM (GMT 0)
I'm not very informed about Discoid Lupus, because I have SLE. I do know that you'll be very sunsensitive and to avoid fluorescent lights.

Steroids are for inflamation. It's best to limit their use.
Posted 4/28/2012 2:56 AM (GMT 0)
You might want to do some research on the internet about Discoid Lupus, while you wait. Make sure you have copies of your past lab work for the new Dr to see and compare when he/she orders new tests for you. You might want to check this web site for hats and clothes with strong protection from sunlight. It is http://www.coolibar.com.
Posted 4/28/2012 10:13 PM (GMT 0)
One thing to know about coolibar is they don't carry clothing for anyone over size 22.
Posted 5/2/2012 1:22 PM (GMT 0)
I went to my first appointment with a dermotoligist yesterday.

He thinks that i have either acute rosecea or subacute cutaneous lupus

but its too early to say. I always had rosecea in the past but when I started getting these circular shapes that kept appearing that didn't resemble roscea i began to worry, plus my ANA is 1:32. He asked me if it meant 1/3200??  I told him it was 1:32. He then said that it could be just positive with no symptoms of autoimmune disease.  then what is wrong with my face skin??  I don't have blisters.  i know that my skin doesn't like the sun and when I'm in the sun, something underneath becomes alive and I have more lesions appearing if thats what they are.

I am confused.  I just know that under my bath lights and outside my face looks horrible.  confused

Posted 5/2/2012 4:28 PM (GMT 0)
If he doesn't know how ANA is measured I don't think I'd be trusting him to diagnose Lupus! Just saying....

Did he offer any treatment?

I suppose there are other rashes produced by photosensitivity -- avoid fluorescent lights as well as the sun. If you can, maybe consider seeing a rhuemotologist? Best way to find one well-versed in Lupus is to look at www.lupus.org - find your local chapter then find which Drs are active on there board of directors.
Posted 5/2/2012 5:39 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,

The dermotoligist didn't know what i had.  He at first said 'acute roceasa' and then said it could also be 'subacute Lupus.'  i know my circles

(by the way,  2 of them burnt me before they became circles), aren't

roceasa.  I have an appointment with a totally different one in the middle of this month.  I will be anxious to see what she says.  i also have a appt. for another dermo.  Trying to get different opinions and see who I like.  Thank you for your help.

Posted 5/2/2012 5:42 PM (GMT 0)
I think you could have both Rosacea and Subacute Cutaneous Lupus - don't think it necessarily is an either or thing - especially if you've had Rosacea in the past. 

Also, I'm a bit confused by your ANA.  I don't think a factor under 1:40 would be considered positive, and when I read your post I wondered if it was actually 1:320 (rather than 32).  The dilutions double each time, so 1:40, 1:80, 1:160, 1:320 and so on.  I was started on Plaquenil when my ANA hit 1:1280.  Since you mentioned having an homogenous pattern, that also makes me think you tested at 1:320.  Under 1:40 would just have been negative, with no pattern done. 

At least that's the way I understand it.  Are you sure about that number 1:32?  Might be worth checking.  It's always good to ask for copies of your lab results.  And if it is 1:320 (and maybe even if it isn't) sounds like you really need to see a rheumatologist.  Good luck!

   

Posted 5/2/2012 7:47 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,
Yes. Your right. I looked up my ANA titer and it is 1:320. I must have dropped
the 0 off by mistake. Question for you....

What does Homogenous pattern mean? I had everything else negative
DN/SSA and SM/SSA. Is this the pattern that came out. I simply don't
understand about patterns? HELP??

I also have no symptom's except the circles on my face and the circle burn on my cheek and chin which is bearly noticeable unless i go out in the sun or look at it under my bathroom lights but its definately there and means something.  Any feedback is appreciated.

Posted 5/2/2012 8:17 PM (GMT 0)
Check out the Lupus Resources link from my signature below (the first topic in the lupus forum). There is an extensive post about ANA patterns. Basically, they help narrow down what auto-immune disease the Dr should be looking for, but they don't provide conclusive proof of any disease, neither positive or negative. Lupus is elusive to diagnosis, try to be patient!
Posted 5/3/2012 12:29 AM (GMT 0)
does the circle burn look like a bullseye?
Posted 5/3/2012 2:04 PM (GMT 0)
The circle doesn't look like a bulleye in the sense that it has no eye

in the middle.

I just learned something..  I have been having 2-3 minute rashes

on my hands.  i was lucky enough to have taken a picture this morning.

On the inside palm of my hand 2" high x 1 1/2 " wide was a dark

red flare up rash that lasted approx. 2 minutes.  Has anyone ever experienced this???   I also have purple cuticles as of yesterday. 

 

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