Hi there ~
I was referred to rheumy due to a positive ANA and a very low vitamin D with a co-presentation of enlarged liver and spleen.
I have many sx of lupus so the referral didnt surprise me. I have joint pain, joint aches, reynauds syndrome, number fingertips, rash on my chest, mouth ulcers, headaches, dizziness, brain fog, fatigue to name a few.
When the rheumy saw me, he too felt like the presentation sounded a lot like Lupus.. when he examined me he even called the rash on my chest by a name "something" sign, and said that was an indicator of lupus. When I told him I did get occasional mouth sores, he really perked up and thought probable Lupus and ordered more labs.
I received the copy of my labs today and I am not surprised to find the ANA is still positve, but the reflex titers indicitive of Lupus are all normal (dsDNA, SSA, sss, SM) BUT...........
the reflex titer Centromere B came back positibe and elevated. Normal is 0.0 - 0.9 and mine came back 2.8.
So there is something going on, but my confusion is that the disease association on the lab slip for the antibody is Scleroderma limited.
But I have NO symptoms of scleroderma - no skin involvement at all. I have complained that at times it feels like a tight band around my chest or like its hard to get air in sometimes and sometimes short of breath - but I read that too could be Lupus.
I read now that perhaps that could be a scleroderma thing?
I am so confused. I was preparded to hear lupus - I was not prepared for this and I dont feel like my symptoms match.
Can one still have lupus without the other reflex titers as positive AND what are the symptoms of systemic sclerosis sine scleroderma?
What does this mean? What meds? and would I have this horrific joint pain with it. I hurt so bad today I winced.
Please help me with as much info as possible.
I see the rheumy tomorrow.
Thank you