Connective Tissue Blood Test

[Jhpc]

Had a full spinal MRI on the 1st June, results are in, Dr now requested usual load of blood tests plus connective tissue blood test.

Get results of MRI plus blood tests on the 4th July.

Symptoms at the mo:

Lower back/groin and thigh aches and pains.

Difficulty walking some days.

I don’t know much about Connective Tissue it’s thrown me a bit.... any of you had the same or similar symptoms.

I have Lupus and Rheumatoid Arthritis.

[Hidden]

Hi there. Lupus and others, including RA, are classed as connective tissue diseases - so they are probably just repeating the panel called ENA - which will likely have been run before as you are already diagnosed - but things can change. ENA is the more specific panel of antibodies relating to specific rheumatic diseases. Each of these diseases - including rare ones and diseases such as Scleroderma, Myositis and Sjögren’s and also Lupus and RA each have their own antibodies. I have severe groin pain and lower back pain amongst other things and have Sjögren’s.

[Jhpc in reply to Hidden]

Do you know once I’d written this post I knew RA and Lupus were a connective tissue disease... I’d just not heard the term used for a long time, it threw me into a mini panic.

I have my pain issues but not half as much as you Twitchytoes or others on this site, thanks for the info.

[Chanpreet_Walia LUPUS UK]

Hi Jhpc,

Connective tissue diseases cover a wide range of autoimmune diseases. They are

often associated with specific auto-antibodies (blood proteins) which can help define

the diagnosis. Lupus, Antiphospholipid syndrome, Sjogren’s syndrome are examples of connective tissue diseases.

To learn more about connective tissue diseases, visit rnhrd.nhs.uk/uploads/files/...

We published a blog article on pain management which you may find helpful to read at lupusuk.org.uk/pain-managem...

[Jhpc in reply to Chanpreet_Walia]

Thank you Chanpreet for the links I shall look at this shortly.

Most helpful

Thanks

[Jhpc in reply to Chanpreet_Walia]

Interesting read

Thanks x

[ralinn]

jhpc - I've had good luck with a compression sleeve for my groin I wear it daily. They are on line about 7.50 each (black) They help me greatly

[Jhpc in reply to ralinn]

Thanks for this I will have a look shortly, will try anything to relieve the pain .

I’m being referred, which wasn’t a surprise to the back clinic, the sooner the better, so miss the private insurance when you get seen more quickly.

I had 6 cortisone injections 12 years ago in the lower facet joints so I’m assuming it’s the same problem.

However my hands feel funny this time, maybe to do with the nerves in my neck I was told... time will tell.

Hope your having a good day x

[ralinn in reply to Jhpc]

Good luck!

[Jhpc in reply to ralinn]

Thank you x