First positive ANA and false positive syphllis test - could I still be misdiagnosed?

Hi everyone,

This is my first post here. I have been sick on and off for at least 10 years. 2 years ago I developed severe secondary Raynauds in just a few fingers. I was briefly hospitalized, tested for everything (ANA, antibodies, RF, etc) but all came back negative. I had few symptoms at that time so they just dismissed it as an odd case. Fast forward to the present. about 9 months ago I started gaining weight rapidly, feeling sick tired and feverish often, trouble working out, lots of body pain, etc. Gradually worsened. In the last 3 months, I have developed what looks like a classic butterfly rash on my face, HORRIBLE joint pain that prevents me from doing most activities, constant fatigue and pain, headache, mouth and nose ulcers, numbing and tingling in my hands. My joint pain is horrible in my knees. They swell terribly, as do my hangs and fingers. The light sensitivity has increased just in the last month, as has the butterfly rash on my face. It comes and goes pretty quickly but is increasing in occurrence.

1 month ago I finally found a great GP and he found that my TSH levels were crazy elevated. After an ultrasound I was diagnosed with Hashimotos. Started 88 mg levothyroxin.

A few days ago, I was back at his office still feeling horrible. Terrible GI problems, aches and pains, joint swelling, trashy elbows. I never cry and I started tearing up in his office. Just want to some answers.

WELL, he ran a bunch of lab work and my ANA test came back positive (1:160 and homogenous pattern noted in the comments suggesting lupus) AND I had a false positive syphllis test meaning antibodies are present. He won't diagnosis lupus, as I see a rheumatologist in a week and he wants them to make the call.

My fear at this point is that even with this overwhelming amount of evidence, I will be dismissed or they won't claim to have a clear diagnosis. I know it sounds crazy but I have had horrible time with doctors taking me seriously up until this point.

Does this sound like a pretty clear "cut and dry" case of lupus? Or is there something else I should be looking into? Any input, advice would be appreciated :)

Thank you!

Hi. I felt the same way you do about being taken seriously by docs before my diagnoisis. I was even told once that it was all in my head. I was diagnosed w/ lupus this past July. about 2 months before I started to get a rash whenever I went out in the sun on top of always feeling sick with on and off fevers, body aches. It was like the flu without the cough. I started researching online after losing faith that the drs. would figure out what was wrong. Then after reading about lupus it all clicked. I went to my doc, showed her the rash and demanded to see a rhuemy. I know this is stupid but a week before my appt. with the rhuemy I sat out in the sun for hours. I made myself break out in a rash and sooo sick. I wanted to hold on to that rash as it was the first and only physical evidence I had that it was not in my head. He put me on hydroxycloroquinne before my blood test were even back in. I remember being afraid that they would find nothing and I would be back still feeling crummy without any answers.Turns out I was right. I would suggest writing down as much about your symptoms, past and present and taking photos of any rash, sore or blister you get. Best of luck to you! and please keep us updated . I hope you get answers and feel better soon.