negative blood tests

[EmChar]

I wrote a while ago about symptoms I had that might be a Rheumatic Disease but all my blood tests have returned negative. I have now been taken off Rheumatology list. Concerns were for swollen salivary glands and dry mouth and reynauds negative ANA with pattern. No sign of blockage on ultrasound. I don’t know what to do now as still having distressing symptoms GP said that Rheumatologist did not feel need to follow up with any further tests or investigations. Advice please should I pursue any further? Feel like they think I have health anxiety.

[Star13]

The vast majority of people with Sjogrens Syndrome test negative. Do you have dry eyes?

You may well have to see a private Rheumatologist to get anywhere if you have reached the end of the road on the NHS. You are entitled to a second opinion so you could make a nuisance of yourself with your GP and insist you have another referral but I’d do your homework first and know exactly who and where you want to go and see so it’s not wasted.

I wish you luck.

[KayHimm]

EmChar,

You might want to discuss your case with your GP and see if you can get a sense of how negative ANA Sjogren’s is diagnosed. When I was young, they didn’t know as much and never considered ultrasound with me. The dry eyes, mouth and nose were considered part of the connective tissue disease. I did have turn out to have anti LA antibodies.

It seems now there are better diagnostic tools. But I don’t know when they actually do things like the lip biopsy. That is invasive so they may hesitate.

Is your GP helping with symptoms? If you have dry eyes, an optician could be helpful.

You need to know the likelihood of a private rheumatologist diagnosing Sjogren’s without ultrasound or biopsy when ANA is negative. I don’t know what a lip biopsy costs. Maybe it would be worth it to pay out of pocket but best if your GP can give you an idea beforehand.

Hope that helps.

Kay