Ana & ama positive help

[Misssjb]

Hello, I joined this group because I’ve been trying to research what it means to have serum anti nuclear antibody’s positive Cytoplasmic, & Mitochondrial antibody screening test Positive, but other results were negative. Not really having much luck finding anything that relates to both at the same time.

I started feeling unwell about 5 years ago with constant swollen legs & knees, & was diagnosed with osteoarthritis ( knee replacement in mar-24.

Since then I’ve had issues with my leg such a swelling, nerve pain & numbness, & well, just about every other joint pain I can think of. In the past 2 years though, I’ve always had a strange feeling as though I can ‘feel’ my blood running through my veins (sort of fuzzy feeling), & I have times where I’m so tender to the touch that I don’t know if it’s my bones, muscles, or skin.

Anyway, recently, after being prescribed antidepressants because I cried whilst speaking to the dr, the doctor finally sent me for blood tests. My ANA & AMA (1:40 titre) wer positive, plus my CRP is just out of limit range (7).

I do have high cholestral, but apart from that, my liver & full blood tests are normal.

I’m confused & frustrated as I appear to be healthy but I do have pain, & 2 abnormal results.

Is it possible someone out there has something similar going on?

By the way I have now been put on the rheumatology waiting list (about 16 wks apparently).

Thank you to all who read this

[DonnaBoll Administrator]

First of all, thanks for posting. A + ANA is usually indicative of an auto immune disease. First one that came to mind with your symptoms was maybe a form of arthritis. Do you take a medication for your osteoarthritis? I'm glad you are at least waiting to be seen by a rheumatologist. A + AMA is usually indicative of having PBC - Primary Biliary Cholangitis. Did you have a liver enzyme panel run as well with the other lab work? Just look specifically at the alk phos result. Is it elevated at all? I'm sorry it takes so long to be seen. Here in the states that is case often when wanting to see a specialist. My suggestion would be for you to Google Info about joint pain, +ANA/AMA, and elevated CRP from authoritative sources like the Cleveland/Mayo Clinics or National Institute of Health (NIH). An elevated ANA is there with any type of inflammation - your osteoarthritis may cause it. Let me know if you find anything out. I can only imagine how frustrating this must be for you. Wish I could be more help.

[Misssjb in reply to DonnaBoll]

Thank you Donna for your quick response. It would be prudent for me to also confirm I had a biopsy on my nose in 2012 & notes suggested SLE, then in the past few months if going to GP, she found a letter from the consultant suggesting it was discoid lupus & to be followed up… in 12 years I have never been contacted.

As for osteoarthritis, that was diagnosed in early 2019 because it followed keyhole surgery in my knee for melicus tearing which was a failure.

Truth is since my knee replacement in March, I’ve developed rad on my back & a large patch on my operated knee, which GP has diagnosed as scerosi.

I guess I should just wait until my appointment comes through, but I suppose as anyone would in this circumstance, I’m fretting myself silly, & spend so much time on the web looking for answers that I’m becoming anxious… therefore exasperating the issue.

It just feels good to get it out there to others that have had similar experiences. But again, I thank you for your very speedy response.

[Misssjb in reply to DonnaBoll]

Hi.. sorry, I forgot to mention, my liver/kidney came back negative as did my SMA. So confusing.

[kingsnorth]

Hi a positive ANA indicates autoimmune disease and found like you have already been diagnosed with lupus which could account for swollen painful joints l also have SLE as well as PBC you need to be referred to a rheumatology dept and possibly prescribed medication which will help with inflammation of your joints. I was prescribed antidepressants initially as well even though l was depressed just upset nobody would listen to me.

[Misssjb in reply to kingsnorth]

Hello, thank you for your reply. My referral went through so I am now waiting for an appointment to come through. Hopefully I won’t be waiting too long.

It’s very frustrating to not being taken seriously, & worse still, to have my 2012 diagnosis changed twice, but still with no follow up. I am grateful my symptoms have held off until now.

It does not help that I’ve been going through the menopause for the last few years & finally stopped menstruating 2 years ago. I still have nightly sweats which sometimes result in drenched bed linen. Dr a couple of weeks ago on last visit suggested this was still the menopause; however, I’m inclined it’s something else now because of my blood results. But then again, I suffered quite a bit, so maybe the menopause has caused my abnormal results. Not sure if that’s even possible, but as you say, inflammation can cause positive AMA & ANA, & it might be a result of the menopause. Catch 22 situation!

Whatever the cause, I hope my visit to rheumatology will pinpoint the cause. It will be good to be diagnosed with something, just so I can confirm I’m not making my aches & pains up.

I’ve been told to ‘get a grip, everyone has aches & pains’ so many times.

[DonnaBoll Administrator in reply to Misssjb]

So glad your referral went thru. Be sure to write down all of your questions and take someone with you to the appointment if possible. 4 ears are better than 2. I have heard this so often about being people being dismissed with their symptoms - chucking it up to your age, menopause, or make you think you're just crazy. Let me know when you get the appointment.

[kingsnorth]

Please excuse typos I'm in taxi on my way to airport