Welcome to LUpus Patients Understanding & Support (LUPUS) at HealthUnlocked.
I have pinned a few posts here regarding these blood tests which are confusing. A diagnosis of SLE cannot be made purely on the basis of ANA tests. Indeed, there are some people who have positive ANA and are perfectly healthy without any symptoms of SLE.
What you need is a lupus specialist. Not all rheumatologists are expert in SLE and some have never treated a lupus patient. The lupus specialist requires a whole range of blood tests,but clinical examination is essential and your symptoms. Even then, a diagnosis may not be immediate. Sometimes a lupus specialist will wait months before making a diagnosis because to give a wrong diagnosis does a great deal of damage to the patient-doctor relationship. This can be frustrating and anxious, which is why psychological support is necessary.
We also have another website called the LuPUS Message Board where you can also post questions and talk to other people. Registration is FREE and we offer free information and free online psychological support. We specialise in psychological support with our own counsellor/psychotherapist available.
By becoming a Member, you will have access to the private forums and because they are private, only Members have access and even bots and search engines are forbidden.
When you register, please use the following format for entering your date of birth: nn-nn-nnnn where n=number. Please use the "-" separator and not "/".
Sometimes we need to talk to people who understand and who are not family or friends.
With good wishes!
Ros
Disclaimer: No attempt is made to diagnose or to make any medical judgement. You are advised to seek the advice from your own physician. LUpus Patients Understanding & Support (LUPUS) is not a substitute for your own doctor.
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