I am convinced it is LUPUS: Positive ANA and Subsequent Negative ANA
I am tired of doctors saying I have lupus I don't have lupus. Why are they so strong on the ANA? It is stupid. I believe once positive always positive.
Last edited by tkjackson31560; 01-09-2008 at 09:40 AM.
Reason: Reposted in another section
Can the ANA go from Positive to Negative and Lupus still be the diagnosis?
In 2004 I had an ANA of 1:640 with a homogenous pattern, Liver profiles were off the charts, I was barely able to get out of bed for months, nausea, diah., vomiting, stomach pains, achy muscles and joints, migraines that would make me occasionally blind, bladder infections on top of each other, and so much more I can barely talk about it. Well my gallbladder died and they took it out said I would be fine. Several doctors wanted me to see a rhuemy about Lupus but I didn't well until I wasn't getting better. I had 3 positive ANA's sequentially then since 11/06 they have been all negative, but I am on DMARDS. MTX to be exact. Some say LUPUS my doctor says maybe? I say definately from what I read on here and other boards. He thinks though not because of the negative ANA. Well I wrote the Lupus.org folks and I got a nice email back that said and I quote,
"While the statement that once a positive ANA is always a positive ANA even when it shows up negative has been expressed by several members of the Medical Advisory Committee, there is no official statement to this in the LFA fact sheets or web site. The closest we have is the ANA can also change from positive to negative, or negative to positive, in the same person. Some of this also is the beliefs of the different doctors. Doctors have different theories on different issues and until you talk to them you never know what their reference view is."
Dawn E Isherwood RN
Health Educator
Lupus Foundation of America, Inc.
So if Dr. Hughes will take a stance on ANA doesn't have to stay positive why can't American doctors do the same.
I am convinced it is LUPUS and I don't think a doc will convince me otherwise. What does anyone else think? Do doctors ever post here?
Re: Can the ANA go from Positive to Negative and Lupus still be the diagnosis?
I am under the strong impression that ana can go from positive to negative in a person with lupus being treated with medication to control lupus, and that the person still has lupus irregaurdless of ana fluctuation..As for Drs. posting here, not to my knowledge, although it would be nice
Re: Can the ANA go from Positive to Negative and Lupus still be the diagnosis?
My ANA was positive 4 times 1:1280 speckled pattern. I was on plaquenil and prednisone, and my last ANA was also negative. I am convinced it is from the medicine. My Dr. also sais it usually does not turn negative. I just ignore him and agree to disagree with that one.
Kelley
Re: Can the ANA go from Positive to Negative and Lupus still be the diagnosis?
Hi, TJ. Did any of your bloodwork ever reveal *specific autoantibodies*? Dr. Wallace, in his lupus harcover, lists 16 or so (!) that are seen in lupus. The two considered truly definitive are anti-ds-DNA & anti-Sm. In fact, these are the ONLY two that are specific enough to be listed as ACR criteria [see the "sticky post" at the top of the thread list].
ANA can of course be positive in various diseases, due to a passing virus, due to aging, or due to a family tendency.
I also was under the impression that ANA can fluctuate, esp. with treatment. (Dr. Wallace speaks a bit on this & I bet Dr. Robert Lahita, another rheumie/author, does also. Both/either should be available in most libraries & bookstores.) And as you say, being on MTX could possibly frustrate a clearer understanding of what you really have. I gotta say this: none of my drs. would put me on anything absent 100% proof. Is the dr. who prescribed MTX to you a specialist? (Just curious.)
Re: Can the ANA go from Positive to Negative and Lupus still be the diagnosis?
My doc is a Rhuemy. The only things in my blood works that come out abnormal or sed rate, my total bilirubin, MCH, Monocytes,PH, Lymphocytes, and WBC in the Urine, All Lupus specific tests are negative. I also have Sjogrens pretty bad too but my blood tests are neg. for it too.
I am convinced it is LUPUS: Positive ANA and Subsequent Negative ANA 
