Could this still be Lupus?

[BlackInk]

Hello, I hope it's ok that I have joined without a diagnosis? I've been unwell (gradually getting worse) for a few years with a looooong, tedious list of symptoms. GP seems to have lost interest and thinks I'm an anxious hypochondriac.

I have received a positive ANA test result, but normal dsDNA and extractable nuclear antigen follow up tests. I have a hiatus hernia, suffered infertility and multiple miscarriages and went through a sudden early menopause aged 42 (HRT hasn't helped with symptoms). My B12, iron, platelets and other FBC results are sometimes out of range, but GP says not enough to cause symptoms.

Symptoms include:

Stiff and painful joints (especially in hands)

Weakness in hands

Painfully dry, gnarly hands / dry hair

Pain in wrists, knees, feet, back, neck, etc.

Symmetrical rash on chest

Rash when exposed to sunlight

Occasional raised rash under eyes

Stomach pain, discomfort, nausea

Blurred vision

Dizziness, disorientation

Twitching

Pins and needlesExhaustion

Poor concentration and memory

Is it worth me asking GP to consider Lupus, or does it sound unlikely?

Many thanks if you got this far!

[KayHimm]

Hi BlackInk - you clearly have a lot of symptoms. My take is your GP has already considered lupus. That is the main reason he did the ANA test. The question is what is his next step now that it is positive. I really don’t think he has « lost interest. » Your question is a good one. Just ask what his opinion is now that the ANA is positive.

Good luck with this. Please keep us posted.

K

[BlackInk in reply to KayHimm]

Thank you for replying KayHimm . This is my problem. GP says that the positive ANA doesn't mean anything as the follow up tests didn't reveal anything. I've read that ANA can be positive in the elderly (I'm mid-40s) and can also occasionally be positive in healthy individuals with no symptoms of autoimmune disease... although I have lots of symptoms of something, so I don't understand why they think I'm imagining it all?

[KayHimm in reply to BlackInk]

Could you maybe go over your specific symptoms with your doctor and ask which he thinks are relevant? These illnesses, as you know, are very hard to diagnose. Do you have photos of your sun induced rashes? Mid 40s is not elderly but he may be looking at your ANA in context - titre, lack of specific auto-antibodies that are positive.

Many of us have had your symptoms in the beginning. You might want to ask if he is monitoring you to watch for more indications. Things change. So frustrating.

Has a doctor examined you when your joints are stiff? I would think documented arthritis would be important.

Keep us posted,

K

[Oshgosh]

I had random symptoms for years.rhey were treated on a symptom by symptom basis.

I ended up as an emergency admission,which was followed by a 10 day stay in hospital.

I was diagnosed with NSIP a lung condition.

I wa# seen by a rheumatologist whilst in hospital,I couldn’t believe how much he knew about my everyday symptoms.

I wa# referred to a specialist unit.

Saw ILD consultant,also a rheumatologist.

They did loads more blood rests,said they had access to more tests than the GP!

In April they said I had lupus and/or sjogrens.hope this makes sense. I just had to describe my

Long road to diagnosis/ treatment

I had many of th3 symptoms in your list,thought. It was part of getting old

.

I don’t know how you get your GP to refer you to a rheumatologist,

Hope all goes well,keep posting