CAN SOMEBODY PLEASE HELP ME, I'M SCARED!!

[jsuter69]

I just recently had some lab work done, my ANA came back and my ANA-Titer came back as 1:80...I talked to a lab tech from the hospital and he said my lab work sounds like Lupus...I'm really scared & I just want to break down and cry...
Here's my symptoms
1) Back and leg pain
2) Digestive problems
3) Headaches
4) Hematuria( but the crazy thing is, I've seen a urologist, orthopedic surgeon and a CT Scan and all of these tests came back good...I just don't get it...
Please help me....

[karajo]

Please keep us posted on what you find out.  Do you have any rashes?  Does your face get red?  Another thing to watch for is raynauds.  When you get cold, or stressed, your fingers and sometimes your toes get white.

[ButterflyKisses64]

Thank you for all this. I was just diagnosed to same thing ANA Titer 1:80.  Only thing that's seems to be going on is my right wrist right at the nodgel joint, is sensitive when I twist it to face my palms towards me. and to touch, feels like a brush burn sort of. My Hand doctor said it may be Rheumatoid. But have and appointment Oct 3, 2013 with a Rheumatologist. So we shall see. Though  he (my Dr.) never mentioned Lupus, it does scare me as well when I search online, everything I see about it is associated to Lupus. Keeping my fingers crossed as well  

[peaches911]

Hi, Ladies
I just received blood results yesterday,and was told over the phone that either have connective tissue disease or pre-Lupus.  What does that mean? My blood work showed that I am ANA positive and the pattern is speckled 1:8.  I'm scheduled to meet with my doctor this week to discuss the results.  I plan on visiting a rheumatologist very soon.  Some symtoms I've had include soreness (in legs, feet, shoulders and lower back.)  I'm extremely tired all the time.  I have shortness of breath. If I walk up a flight of stairs, it seems like I'm going to pass out.  I've gained a lot of weight over the past year and a half.  Has the weight been a factor with you?  What advice do you have for me?  Could this lead to cancer?

[NurseNikki209]

I just left the MD on Monday as I saw online an old lab result from 2005 (my MD just went to online labs and records this month) So Im looking amd mine said Homogenous positive ANA 1:160....I asked hom why I was told it was negative and he said "I tell people its negative if it is 1:80 or lower because otherwise it brings up too much anxiety for the patient"  So the above  lab positive correlation is correct they start low and dilute so if you went to 1:80 then that was the last dilution that you tested positive for. meaning when they diluted it to 1:140 it was negative. Your number is low and not generally considered positive. If you are symptomatic I would as that the MD continue to attempt to rule out a diagnosis of Lupus and or any other connective tissue disorders. There is a ridiculous amount of the general population who have  a positive ANA and DO NOT HAVE LUPUS.   I hope this helps to ease your fears or anxiety at least a little. Also the Lab Tech had NO BUSINESS telling you anything as it is not in their scope of practice to explain lab results. Good luck!

[karajo]

So sorry to hear that your son is suffering so.  I am not familar w/ FNA.  What is that?  Does your son's joints swell some?

[rach303297]

Hi Kara,
96% of that symptoms you described my son has been suffering from for the past 2 and half years. The doctors have told us they cant help us anymore unless his joints swell enough for them to get an FNA.
His ANA is 1:320 homo, speckled. He also urinates ALOT more frequently now. We have tried different doctors, seen 2 Rheumatologists.  He is now 17, gone from a outdoors, positive, social athletic boy into sports to now sitting in his room, trying to escape the pain.  He really tries to be normal but pays for it physically for days.
I am at a loss as to where to go from here. How can I best help him??