LUPUS??????

[Taya]

Hi I'm new to this forum. I have been told by my liver consultant I have tested positive for lupus having positive ANA and double stranded DNA. However he says it maybe due to my PBC. Is it possible to have both of are the test results because of PBC.

[jane1964]

Hello Taya I have pbc but also see a rheumatologist because I have other symptoms, with the pbc I have always had fatigue and joint pain.but around three years ago I began to have worse muscle pain with severe disabling attacks of fever and pain, it has taken 3 years to get anywhere and still don't have diagnosis but have finally been making progress I have a positive ANA posative ANCA and MPO,some vasculitis, swollen lymph nodes and damage to my salivary glands all only discovered in last couple of months by a new rheumatologist.I was given a steroid injection as a temporary measure with amazing results felt almost normal for first time in years, also started hydroxychloroquine.I think I was ANA positive when the pbc was diagnosed, but my symptoms have changed overtime and pbc definitely doesn't explain them all now.So you can have more than one autoimmune disease, it's hard to tell what's causing what,as I said it's taken 4 rheumatologist s and many years to even get close to answer.I think you need you ask for a referral to an experienced rheumatologist for a review.It's easy to think everything's pbc but it might not be and hopefully you may be able to get some treatment to feel better.Good luck Jane.

[Taya in reply to jane1964]

Thank you jane. I'm currently waiting for my rheumatologist appointment. I was wondering i have a weird texture to my hair and it's becoming very thin. I know that's a symptom of lupus but does that happen when you have PBC.

[Michiganpbc in reply to Taya]

My Rheumatologist told me recently that the PBC can cause a positive ANA .

[Taya]

Thanks i guess it seems to be a long process getting everything sorted.

[Sara_A]

I think it’s quite common to have more than 1 autoimmune disease, so I’ve heard and read. I have sle and antiphospholipid syndrome

[Jhpc]

Hi I have just been recently diagnosed as having both Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus.

[juneybells]

I have SLE and autoimmune hepatitis as well as rheumatoid arthritis so it is possible to have more than two autoimmune disorders like everyone has already said you need a really good rheumatologists to get a proper diagnosis. My hair also started to go very thin not sure if it was lupus or my liver problems that caused it however once on the correct meds it is now much more normal. Hopefully you can get the correct medication soon. Good luck hope you feel better soon

June

[Taya in reply to juneybells]

Hi thank you for the info, Advice and kind words. Getting the right consultant seems to be the key.

[Chanpreet_Walia LUPUS UK]

Hi Taya,

Welcome to the LUPUS UK HealthUnlocked Community!

We offer a free information pack which you can download or request here: lupusuk.org.uk/request-info...

The British Liver Trust provides information about PBC which you can read here: britishlivertrust.org.uk/li...

There is a published research paper looking at concomitant cases of SLE and PBC:

The introduction says, “Although autoimmune diseases often coexist, concomitant cases of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) are uncommon.”

The conclusion also says, “…in SLE patients with concomitant PBC, no death cases resulting from the aggravation of the initially diagnosed disease that occurred soon after the onset of the subsequent disease have been reported. However, it remains uncertain whether concomitant cases occur by chance or share a common immunological or genetic basis. Further studies are warranted to better understand these concomitant autoimmune diseases.”

To read the research paper, click here: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

[Taya in reply to Chanpreet_Walia]

Thank you that's really helpful😀