Positive anti dsdna but no symptoms

[Parker42]

My anti dsdna has come back positive, but other than occasional arthritis flares I haven’t had any other symptoms. Does this mean I will eventually developed more symptoms? I’m having a hard time finding information on this.

[Hidden]

I can’t answer this question I’m afraid - but I’m interested to know why you had your ENA panel taken if you are symptomless?

[Parker42 in reply to Hidden]

I had arthritis flare up in the past and he wanted to check for all autoimmune diseases. This is when the lupus test came back positive. Any feed back would be helpful.

[sflynn84]

I had a flare-up of arthritis in my hands, knees and feet last summer and knew something wasn't right (I was only 33). My doctor ran the bloodwork and I came back with positive ANA, positive anti-DSDNA and low complements. The only symptoms that I have ever had are the joint pain (hands, feet and knees). I also had an EKG and pulmonary function test, which came back fine. My doctors say they are cautiously optimistic that I have mild disease and/or they caught it early before it progressed to becoming more problematic. I am currently being monitored every 3 months and take 300mg of plaquenil daily. Over the last year my numbers have all been stable, no kidney issues have developed and I have felt pretty well. I guess time will tell for us....

[Parker42 in reply to sflynn84]

Thank you. That makes me feel better. I feel terrible for the people that really suffer from this disease. My Dr. Started me on 200mg of hydroxychloroquine once daily and I go back in October for more blood work. I’ll keep my fingers crossed that they caught it early enough to make a difference for us.

[sflynn84 in reply to Parker42]

I feel terrible as well for all the people who suffer greatly from this disease. Since I have found out that I have lupus, I have been amazed to find out how many people have it, and you would never know. My sister is a nurse and told me she sees many patients with lupus that have only mild symptoms. I do find it interesting that I am the only one in my family with lupus.

[Parker42 in reply to sflynn84]

I’m the only person in my family as well. Very interesting.

[Lunareclipse1111 in reply to sflynn84]

I’m the only one in my family but at 75 my dad perhaps is showing some symptoms I was diagnosed at 26 although I have been absolutely obsessive with diet and lifestyle and never taken meditation and actually reduced my symptoms a lot over my lifetime and got better and better.