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View Full Version : I'm new...Positive ANA then negative? I have a fibro diagnosis.


 

 

 
mtr256
02-18-2008, 11:21 AM
10 years ago I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. The diagnosis came as a result of a trip to a rheumatologist with a positive ANA and a lot of pain. I have been to 3 different doctors and the ANA has always been positive over the span of 10 years. I have since changed doctors. I have been having more symptoms (swelling of joints, red rash on my face that comes and goes, extreme fatigue, etc.) I have not had problems with these in the past. My new doctor did lab work and says my ANA is fine. She said it is a "10" and that is good. To me this doesn't make sense. Why did the ANA change from positive to negative? Also, why is it now negative when I am having so many more symptoms? The nurse made me feel like a freak when I talked to her! I'm tired of people not listening when I KNOW something is not right! Can anyone help???

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Glojer
02-18-2008, 03:59 PM
I know the positive, then negative feeling. My ANA went up stayed up and suddenly was normal. I have the rash, fatigue, terrible joint pain, mouth sores, lots of fun goodies. Two reasons your ANA may have gone down to normal. (1) medication, sometimes with medication the ANA does return to normal but the symptoms don't disappear. (2) You could be going into a remission of whatever caused it to rise in the first place. Ok, I have more than two reasons (3) you may have thyroid or other problems that would cause the ANA to go up and if they were treated that would correct count. I thought of the last one because I had a doc tell me that could be the reason my ANA count went down, when my thyroid was being treated. Although the endocrinologist didn't seem too interested in it. As I was being treated by the rhuematologist and he was checking the ANA count regularly it finally went down to normal. He suggested taking the right meds may have helped it but sometimes there isn't alway a reason. I thought of another reason (4) it could also depend on the lab and the kind of testing ordered by the doc. Some are more specific than others.

I hate the non specific nature of fibro and all this other 'junk' but it is what it is. I still search for answers and stay on top of my medical care but I also have learned not to push but to gently prod my doc for more info and answers.

Hope this helps.
Glojer

sherryrenee0423
02-18-2008, 04:29 PM
:cool:My ANA has been all over the place the last three years. This last time I got it checked it was an 11 and my rheumy said that is still higher than it should be even though it's on the 'low-high side'. She flagged it as something to watch in the future. A 10 is borderline... I don't think it's 'fine', but I'm not a doctor. I don't know why my tests jump all over the place...it's just one more thing that makes my doctors scratch their heads lol.

pearlandmary
02-21-2008, 10:09 PM
Hi:

I am a newly diagnosed Fibro patient, well since this past Monday, and my doctor did not run any test. My doctor took it from my complaints and made a diagnosis. I don't agree but then whom am I to say. LOL
I am also scared to take anti-depressants which he gave a prescription. I have never taken any medications like that.

Actually according to all the research I have done, there is no test or x-rays to determine if a patient has Fibro.

From your symptoms it sounds like you might have Lupus. My daughter has Lupus but she has never had a rash, but she has had the other symptoms you described. They also did a ANA test on her. I don't know if hers go up and down. She is taking meds for her Lupus.

Maybe you need to check on Lupus. I don't think a "rash" goes along with Fibro. Unless I am wrong but I have not found that.





Mary





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