Today’s blood appointment - really confused from test print out

[Leenie0811]

Evening all,

I’ve had bloods today and they said it was an antibody screening along with the inflammation levels so it was good to find out exactly what was being tested. I won’t find out until a couple of weeks time BUT that’s not the main reason I’m posting today.

I’ve been told I’ve had consistent positive ANAs since October but today I got a print out from the nurse she went back 12 months, the only test I can see is the one taken in March. Why would the doctors and nurses say I’ve had consistent results but I can’t see it on my records? It’s left me more confused than ever before but there are so many more other tests done which I’ve never been told about.

Can I push to be seen at rheumatology now? I’m so confused with what to do when I get these results! I wish there was a clear cut answer 😞

Thanks again everyone, I feel like I only come on here with more moans and groans!

Leenie x

[eekt]

Moan and groan away! That's what this forum is good for! Positive ANA plus one other symptom is a rheumatology referral*...I read in your last post that GPs relate your troubles to previous gynae and IBS problems, but these can be PART of a systemic illness like lupus (on an 'ever had' basis)...it might be that your GPs are looking for dsDNA (or other very specific antibodies) before referring, but ANA counts when considering a SLE diagnosis xxx

*Slide 9 (from a lab): view.officeapps.live.com/op...

[Leenie0811 in reply to eekt]

Thanks for sending the document over and for putting my mind at ease with the moaning and groaning!

I’ve had to take the day off work today due to extreme fatigue and bad joint pain. My face has flared slightly but the fatigue was that bad I slept from about 10pm until 2pm today I only woke up once to let my boss know I wasn’t going to be in work.

When I go and get the results from the bloods done yesterday I’m going to ask for a referral and hope they do listen to my reasons

x

[eekt in reply to Leenie0811]

Horror fatigue...take all the rest you can and push for a referral, waving guidance in their faces...and come back and moan some more! Let it all out! Keeping posting, let us know how you go! xxx

[Chanpreet_Walia LUPUS UK]

Hi Leenie0811,

Yes, you should be able to request a referral to see a rheumatologist for further testing i.e. for dsDNA antibodies (as eekt mentioned). To find out what tests and criteria are needed to make a diagnosis of lupus, you may like to read our blog article at lupusuk.org.uk/getting-diag....

[Leenie0811 in reply to Chanpreet_Walia]

Thanks for the document, I’m going to ask when I get the results from the blood test taken yesterday if I can be referred on to rheumatology. All the time taken off work when the fatigue and joint pain is too much I don’t want my employers to start getting funny with me about it, they are aware of the ongoing investigations but I can’t help worry about what they think

x

[Chanpreet_Walia LUPUS UK in reply to Leenie0811]

If you need information about lupus and employment, including information about your rights and what support services are available, we have two booklets that you can read and download at lupusuk.org.uk/working-with.... If you need physical copies sent to you, please send me a private message with your name and address. Take care.