Do I have an autoimmune disease? - Immune Disorders Message Board

KatieJane · 04-08-2008, 10:13 AM

In 2002 and now in 2008, my ANA was tested. I have a positive ANA, with a titer of >640, speckled pattern. I had every other blood test known to man done by a Rhuematologist...everything else came back negative, except for slightly low vitamin D, elevated c-protein. Therefore, this rheumatologist said he was stumped, so he sent me to National Jewish to see their rheumatologist yesterday.

This doctor said I do not meet the profile of any autoimmune disease, based on blood work, but I do based on symptoms. Basically, she said that was all she could do for me. Oh, and that she says I have fybromyaligia and should she a pulmonologist for the cough.

My symptoms are as follows...fatigue, muscle soreness, chronic sinus infections, catch everything and take forever to get over them, recent diagnosis of asthma, testing positive to 73 out of 77 allergens tested for, hip pain, and a cough that is into the fourth month. I also am lactose intollerant, and have allergic reactions to numerous drugs, ie., penicillin, codeine, morphine, sulfa, etc.

I left National Jewish more confused than ever...do I just ignore all of this, see someone else, or what? Any suggestions?

rachelle01 · 04-08-2008, 12:56 PM

Katiejane:

Is your ANA 1:640?? you say speckled pattern? if so, you certainly have an autoimmune disorder..I have Sjogrens & lupus mix and have learned alot over the past 20 years. I have been to the top hospitals as well.
Not sure why your doc doesnt think you have something like lupus? what are your symptoms?

Rachelle

rachelle01 · 04-08-2008, 12:59 PM

oopppps..sorry, didnt see your symptoms below.....maybe lupus, dry eyes and mouth would be sjogrens syndrome..

Best to try and get another rheumatologist opinion...several if necessary.
Something other than fibro is def going on there..

Rachelle

KatieJane · 04-09-2008, 05:27 PM

Rachelle:
Rheumatologist from National Jewish has written me off...says I do not have an autoimmune disease. My allergist says she is dead wrong and he will have me see yet another rheumatologist. Today the additional blood work came back...all normal except for something to do with muscle tissue was high. Also received my chest CT results...normal abnormalities...except a aneurysmal dilatation of the ascending thoracic aorta measuring 3.6 cm transversely and a rim-like mass which projects posterior to the right thryroid lobe in the lower right side of my neck, measuring 13cc in diameter. So now I am scheduled for an ultra sound of my neck.

However, none of this explains my chronic cough or ANA of 640, etc. I am puzzled as to why my ANA can be this high, yet two rheumatologist say it is nothing. Is this what most people face until the hit upon a diagnosis?

Kate

blueeyes62 · 04-13-2008, 11:32 PM

Katiejane,
You sound just like me. I have had allergies since I graduated high school in 1981 an I have had asthma for about 4 or 5 years now. I too was tested for lupus a few years ago because my joints ache all the time and I am also very fatigued. My ana test always comes out positive, but when they do the other tests for lupus they always come back negative. I saw a rumetologist and she told me that I have fibromyalgia. I also have had a bad cough since the beginning of Feb. and it still is with me. When I get sick too it takes me for ever to get better. I am also allergic to everything and I am allergic to sulfa, naprosyn, prendisone. I just had a complete phsical not to long ago and my doctor said that I have mild anemia, si I just had another blood test and he said that I also had white cells in my urine, so I had that test done again, but I didn't get any results. I had also just lost my mother to stage IV Lung Cancer. She didn't have really any symptoms of Lung Cancer, but when she was diagnosed in 9/06 she had many tumors in her brain. She had a massive stroke in May 07. She bounced back okay for a few weeks and then she started going down hill and passed aw 7/07. It has really been hard for me, because she was my best friend. We were with each other everyday and did everything together. I also forgot to mention to you that I have a histor of sinus infections and I am always on antibiotics. I also had 2 operations on my sinuses, because I had polyps and also had to get my sinuses drained. Every single day I have a stuffy nose and I can't breath right. I am always sniffing. Well I think that I better try and get some sleep. Take care. Hope to hear from you soon.