cytoplasmic speckled ANA - mean anything to anyone ? Also effect of coming off steroids

[Yorkshiremeadows]

I’ve just had some further bloods back which say weak positive cytoplasmic speckled ANA and low complement 4. Does anyone know what the cytoplasmic speckled bit means ? I have common SLE symptoms - fatigue, joint pain, synovitis, rash on leg but trying to work out if these bloods mean more likely I do have SLE or not. Also, currently on steroids as had a flare and they are working ok, but I only have them for 8 weeks and I’m afraid of what will happen when I come off them. Is everyone’s experience different ? Do symptoms come back immediately? Thanks very much. But if a newbie to all this !

[Baby_Snaer]

ive had the same cytoplasmic high ana but mine was high im trying to figure out what it even means positive rnp super low calcium very low c3 c4 and yet idk wth it means

[Yorkshiremeadows in reply to Baby_Snaer]

it’s difficult to work out all the terminology. I’ve found people on here are really knowledgeable and helpful so I hope someone can help you with what the terminology means even if they can’t say what it will mean diagnosis - wise.

[nottypical]

Coming off steroids was fine for me - a great relief!

[Yorkshiremeadows in reply to nottypical]

Oh phew ! I’m praying it’s the same ! Thanks for replying.

[Brackensmum]

Hi Yorkshiremeadows, I don't know anything about cytoplasmic speckled ANA but I do know you should come off steroids very very slowly. I was on a 6 week course just after Christmas together with Hydroxychloroquine and came off them super slowly with no side effects. By then the Hydroxy had started to kick in and ease my symptoms. The steroids didn't completely alleviate the agonising joint pain and peripheral neuropathy at night but did make it more bearable during the day. For me Hydroxy really works but it does take about 10 weeks to fully kick in. Here's hoping your symptoms don't come back once you're off the steroids.

[Yorkshiremeadows in reply to Brackensmum]

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply. I have been on hydroxy for about 4 months now but became really unwell about 6 weeks ago. The steroids have helped and made me feel much more myself so gave me a lot of hope, but I am terrified of coming off them and feeling like I did. Fingers crossed you are right and it all balances out.