Finally ANA Positive

[Crazy_Cat_Woman]

Hello Everyone,

After a year of getting nowhere with my diagnosis I made the decision to get a second Rheumatology opinion. I am so glad I did!

I have all the symptoms of Lupus but without the positive ANA result I was getting the brush off from my Rheumy, he just didn’t give two hoots about the pain I was in and left me hanging with no medication or even a plan.

My new Rheumy told me that without the positive ANA he would also rule out Lupus, even though all the symptoms fit. But to make absolutely certain he would test for ANA by immunofluoresence.....and it has come back positive with speckled pattern!

It sounds awful to want that result but I’m just so relieved. I feel like this is a turning point and finally something might be done to find the right treatment. I realise that it still may not be Lupus but it’s another piece of the puzzle.

[whisperit]

Uncertainty is so hard to live with, isn't it? Glad you feel things are moving forward - please keep us posted on the next instalment! x

[Lisalou19]

Well done for keep fighting. Its such a drawn out battle but one that seems to happen for many. I am recently in the same boat as you, and its such a mixture of emotions when you finally receive some sort of answer. Good luck on the rest of your journey. x

[LH44]

I'm always trying to educate people & other consultants on this ANA testing method! It's actually documented across the world that 'speckled' pattern results don't always get identified on the newer tests. IFA/HEP2 is 'Gold Standard' which is always positive on me whereas CTD screen introduced into the NHS 3yrs ago is always negative - I just had this proved again with exactly the same blood sample!!

Do you know your actual result?

[Crazy_Cat_Woman in reply to LH44]

Hello! That is very interesting. My standard NHS test was always negative. I’m waiting to speak to the consultant again but my IFA test results sheet simply states “Positive: Speckled Pattern”. Hopefully I will be able to find out more soon.

[LH44 in reply to Crazy_Cat_Woman]

Hi, at least you now have a result! They have a number attached using IFA, e.g. 1:40, 1:80, 1:160, 1:320 etc & I don't think they call it positive unless its 1:160 or higher. All the labs in the hospitals near me know of the issue if your speckled pattern but unless your consultant specifically requests IFA method, it won't be done in UK (costs more as more time consuming). I initially proved this by getting private blood tests!

[KayHimm in reply to LH44]

Very interesting. I know they sometimes repeat ANA using another method one is negative. Thank you for educating us about possible reasons. KH

[KayHimm in reply to LH44]

Great information. Wondering if you know when these tests came into being. My ANA was originally positive, though VDRL was falsely positive. Maybe it was only positive with the speckled pattern when done with the better testing in 1988.

[LH44 in reply to KayHimm]

The ANA test changed to CTD screen in July 2016 in the NHS near me 🙂