Is it possible to have Lupus and have nothing show up on the ANA test?
595342
My advise is to go to a medical university. My friend always had either a false positive result or a negative. She went to the University of Georgia medical center and was diagnosed with Lupus. A medical university uses more updated procedures and equipment. If it seems your size is greater than your sister, mother, aunt, or grandmother when they were your age, the university medical center will be happy to help you. I am sure you are up to date on all the  symptoms.  Good luck!
580103
If you meant hurt, yes Lupus can cause muscle pain /aches and arthritis. The medical literature does not specifically talk about back pain.
332547
Lupus doesn't cause all those symptoms.\nLupus is where the body attacks it's self and you have organ problems like kidney disease and organ infections and skin problems and you can't go out in the sun without being covered.\nLupus is  a non contagious, chronic inflammatory condition with reddened skin patches, lupus cause the body to make auto antibodies which attack the skin and other organs.\nSounds like your mum has something else not lupus, take her to a different doctor.
445263
I suffer from the effects of lupus also. Your energy level is a hard thing to deal with, believe me I know. I personally do what I can when I am able. Have you talked with your doctor about it? My doctor gave me this same advice. "Do what you can when your level is up and rest when you need to". You have to allow your body to catch up. Sometimes when I over do it I end up in bed for days. Each person is different. I hope you have a good relationship with your doctor or doctors like in my case. So, when things change with your body's' health you can get the best advice for you. I would love to talk sometime, since we have the same disease. I know from my own experience that talking helps.
1149671
Do check out all the websites listed and keep looking, as it's not very common so it's hard to find information on it.\n\nDespite what you might read, it is it's own autoimmune disease, and it should not be confused for UCTD (Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease).  MCTD is diagnosed when there is a positive and high value for one specific blood test - the anti-RNP.  This should also be accompanied by a high positive ANA result as well - generally speckled pattern.  While some people with lupus have a positive anti-RNP, it is a diagnosing criteria for MCTD.\n\nMCTD can have symptoms of 3 other autoimmune diseases making it a good impersonator of the others and difficult to diagnose - Lupus, Scleroderma, and Polymiositis.  It is HIGHLY common (estimates I've read say about 95%) for MCTD diagnosed patients to develop Raynaud's Syndrome.  I developed it about 6 mo. after my initial diagnosis.  Also arthralgia or arthritis are very common, as with Lupus.\n\nAlso common with MCTD is esophogial issues (related to polymiositis) as well as pleuresy related to the lungs and fluid build up around the heart as well.\n\nIn general the life expectancy and overall symptoms of MCTD are similar to Lupus, but tend to be slightly better outcomes overall.\n\nFeel free to contact me if you have any more questions, as I have had to find all of this out on my own and have been educating my family and friends about this, Lupus, and other autoimmune disorders.  It was good because about a year ago, my aunt was diagnosed with RA and I was able to help out some in explaining a few things and being supportive.\n\nIf you or someone you know has been diagnosed with this, or the doctors believe you/they might have this, it's important to know that it's not worth being scared over.  It's manageable and treatable with medications and general observance.  Also I have found out that just knowing is far better than wondering.  While I still have some symptoms daily, my medications have made them unnoticeable to most people and I'm able to continue to do most of the things I've been doing.  And sometimes I honestly don't notice anything or much at all - you just get used to some of the little things and realize it's life as normal.  :)
891825
Have you thought about filing for Social Security Disability?  And then I would also contact you county health and social services department.  They may be able to get you on your state medicaid program.\n\nI have Lupus and APS....it isn't fun.  So far I haven't been in the hospital this year.  First time in a long time.
411094
Try going to your doctor for a blood test. Ask questions, they work for you. That is my best advice to get tested for various things. Your thyroid could make you tired. It maybe as simple as stress or as complicated as lupus. Talk to a health professional for the best advice.
1102991
I was told by someone (dont know it's true or not) that usually you have a blood test done to see if by some strange chance you might be related or something like. if that is true then you might have that test done. also get the test that were mention above.
698244
First off lets dispel any myths that might have been given by the patient who said she has SLE (systemic lupus) and then went on to say that SLE doesn't affect the internal organs like other 'lupus'.  SLE is SYSTEMIC which means by definition that it affects the entire body.  One with SLE can expect to have many differing symptoms as each persons case presents differently.  Some people experience joint pain and muscle weakness others have facial 'butterfly ' and body rashes, some have internal organ involvement such as kidney, heart, liver and brain and some have all the symptoms.  The most important thing to remember is that most of these issues can be controlled with medication.  Prednisone will help with the inflamation and plaqunil can assist with kidney damage, Cellcept can help with other internal organ involvement and sometimes other chemotherapy drugs may be indicated.  Lupus is a disease in which your immune system is overactive and kills good cells as well as the bad which leaves you open to getting infections because your immune system is overworked.  Lupus patients are considered immunocompromised.  For instance, my wife who was diagnosed with Lupus at 15, was recently bitten by a neighbors cat.  Where a person with a normal immune system could just put on some topical antibiodic cream and maybe take some oral antibodics, she spent three days in the hospital receiving IV antibodics because her immune system couldn't fight of the infection. \n\nSo what can you expect?  You can expect your good days and your bad ones.  You'll have days that you're fatigued and days which you feel great.  There'll be times when you don't want to get out of bed but you force yourself to go on.  You must follow the advice of your doctor and take the medications that they presricbe and keep an open dialogue with them.  Remember that you are ultimately responsible for your health care and you need to let the doctor know how certain medications are affecting you or how the Lupus is affecting you, be honest and open.  Also it may help to join a support group.  There are many out there just go to the Lupus Foundation website and they'll give you a meeting site in your area.  \n\nMy wife is a dentist.  Her Lupus sometimes makes her feel badly but she never ever lets it control her life.  She is a beautiful person and has accomplished much in her life inspite of her disease.  I wish you the best of luck.  If you have any more specific questions please do not hesitate to email us.
214279
I've been on some pretty heavy doses of steroids in the past, the toughest part is preventing yourself from eating everything in the house!  Try and cut down on the salt and processed foods (incredibly high in fat and salt).  Look for alternatives to flavour things like pepper, lemon juice, spices (I went through a Curry phase). This still may not prevent the typical symptoms of steroid use like Chipmunk cheeks and a round tummy, some people just exibit those symptoms.  Just keep an eye on your weight, try and eat healthy, and don't let Lupus stop you from being active.
553571
Yes, you already have one autoimmune disease so it getting worse and developing into lupus is not unheard of. Taking the right supplements and getting rid of toxins in your environment will go a long way towards fixing the problem.
98201
It could be an indicator of an auto-immune problem, or it could be nothing. The test itself having high levels really doesn't tell anything by itself. You really need to discuss with your doctor if you have other symptoms, what they are, how severe they are, how frequent, what brings them on, and you would really benefit from keeping a journal of all that information, because sometimes there is so much you forget. Write down anything, sometimes things you think are no big deal can be relevant.If you had other tests taken, you should discuss those results as well. I have SLE (lupus) and I know from personal experience that it takes a lot of positive factors and time to determine a person even has an auto-immune problem. You are your own best advocate, so speak up for yourself. In the meantime, check out these websites, they may be able to help with information specific to the condition you are being checked for, support for you and your family, and possibly links to other sites that specialize in your particular problem. Good luck!
232943
I have had much success. I use a product called Ambrotose, it's a glyconutrient and it has helped me with my lupus a great deal. I can go out in the sun without having to cover up, i haven't had a flare up in years. My hair is stronger and thicker, my skin has cleared up and my immune system is stronger so I don't get sick as easily or offten as I used to.It's great stuff.
317264
If I couldn't walk, I would be worried.  Sounds great that the lupus came back negative, but what is next?  If the DR is not doing more test, or taking another coarse of action, maybe a second opinion is in order!
703235
Excellent question.\n\nLupus is what is called an Autoimmune Disease.  Basically, what this means is that Lupus is a category of "conditions" wherein the person's own body - white blood cells - attack the body, and interfere with the body's "normal" functioning.\n\nThe problem with this type of "condition" - like other Autoimmune Diseases like Multiple Sclerosis - is that NO TWO PEOPLE have the same TYPE of symptoms, nor do their symptoms last the same amount of time!!\n\nThe absolute best way to learn about LUPUS and whether or not it is your own "specific" condition, or whether or not you have something similar, is to DOCUMENT ALL YOUR SYMPTOMS AND how they impact your normal daily living - both at home and work. THEN, go to the following website:  http://www.butyoudontlooksick.com \n\nThis is the ABSOLUTE best website for those who have, or want to know more about, Autoimmune Diseases (AI)!!!  It was started a little over 2 years ago by a lady who has Lupus for the rest of us with AI diseases.  It is a virtual village wherein we can find out information about our various diseases - like MS and Lupus - and general topics like life and every day living!!  I personally am the Moderator for the MS, Social Security, Work Related, and Baby Boomer Forums!!\n\nNow, my qualifications for providing you this answer:\n\n1) I've successfully managed the symptoms of MS for over 45 years.\n2) I was an HR Executive for over 30+ years, and combined my professional and personal expertise in creating a website dedicated to assisting folks with "chronic disease symptoms" better document, communicate, corroborate, and manage their symptoms and the resulting impairments to become expert patients; chronic disease self-managers; and, partner with their doctors to practice patient-centered health care.\n\nhttp://www.disabilitykey.com\n\nMy website contains tons of information in 2 blogs, downloadable free articles and self-help ebooklets, and the Disabilitykey Workbook which contains over 100 pages of how to processes and actual forms - blank and completed examples - to assist folks. This workbook is available for a very small price (under $10).\n\nSo, here are some suggestions:\n\n1) Document your symptoms and their impairments.\n\n2) Go to http://www.butyoudontlooksick.com and check out the disease-specific forums and see which one best matches your symptoms.\n\n3) Then, go to see your doctor, better prepared to partner with him/her in getting you a diagnosis not only for your "condition", but for medications and/or other suggestions for "managing" your symptoms.\n\nFinally, please feel free to contact me by clicking onto my Yahoo name and email me or im me with additional questions along your process of discovery.\n\nBest wishes.
796041
Hello,\n\nAn inconclusive test doesn't mean that your brother is hiv+. I work with an abundance of doctors and immunologsts and this is what they keep on telling me...\n\nIt could be a cold, cold is a virus which your body can produce anti-bodies \n\nanother auto-immune disease like hepatitis, which could lead to an inconclusive test.\n\nHe could be anemic ..or something of that sort....\n\nthe test could have been mixed up or broken or damamged something could have happened that your brother isn't aware of...\n\ni know this, that some people that test inconclusive test negative....\n\ni am being hnest it doesn't mean he is positive...another thing if he only had an antibody test wow that is a long wait....some people opt for the p24 which detectts antigens b4 appearance of antibodies or pcr which tests for the actual dna of the virus...\n\nThis all depends on what test he had done, for the so-called professional to tell your brother he was inconclusive
716597
I've never heard of this but maybe someone on this lupus forum has:\n\nhttp://curezone.com/forums/f.asp?f=52\n\np.s.  lots of people on this forum have cured their Lupus!\n\nhttp://curezone.com/dis/1.asp?C0=216