[spkar0517]

has anyone had a positive ana reading along with the PN? my MD beginning to think lupus is an issue. have had headaches that wont give up regardless of treatment. waiting on mri results but the ANA reading 1:320 is not encouraging. understand lupus can also cause PN, headaches and other issues.. Wondering if anyone has similar symptoms.

[dahlek]

Check out this site and really take a look at all auto-immune issues? some are simple such as thyroid and/or cancers - by 'simple' I mean, that there are tests specific to these disorders and they are very treatable now, compared to 10 or 20 years ago!
Take a look at these pages, please?:
http://www.labtestsonline.org/unders.../glance-3.html
http://www.labtestsonline.org/unders.../glance-2.html
What this all means? IS THAT it's not necessarily LUPUS! But, it could be one of a zillion other neuro or rheumatological issues. So, don't panic until all the tests are in and the 'jury has a verdict' so to speak. Diagnosis for ALL of this stuff is done more thru the process of "ELIMINATION" - as most neuro diagnoses seem to be composed of results that point to either a yes or a no [w/sometimes a 'maybe' thrown in?] sort of hunt and peck process.
Try this roadmap of diagnostics as well....:
http://www.aafp.org/afp/980215ap/poncelet.html
Read it ALL carefully. It will help you with the language of diagnosis and of all the likely tests involved.
What makes YOU think it's lupus? Is it juswt because one doc 'thinks' it mite be it? Well, that's what second opinions are for! And, they can be very cheap in the long run for peace of mind. IMHO!
Keep at it and keep getting tested! - j

[Raglet]

hi there

The ANA is a screening test, and given that yours is 1:320 it is less likely to be a false positive. Positive ANA's increase with age in otherwise healthy people, the so called false positives.

You need to be referred to a rheumatologist for further testing. The vast majority of people with lupus have joint (actually multiple joint) and at least some degree of skin involvement. But ANAs can be positive in many other diseases so it's important to get further testing done. Many doctors see a positive ANA and think lupus, but that's just not true. It does mean you need further testing though.

I have had lupus for many years, my ANA tends to run 1:1280 - 1:2560 (numbers double with each dilution of the test). There are other antibodies that are specific to lupus, particularly anti-ds-dna and anti-sm. So, it will likely come down to what your symptoms are, and what antibodies you have, as to what your dx may be.

best of luck with it all

raglet

Have you been referred to a rheumie? They are definitely the experts in this area,

[glenntaj]

--neuropathy can be associated with any of the anti-nuclear-antibody (ANA) autoimmune/vascular conditions, either through vascular insufficency or through direct compressionof nerve due to swelling or connective tissue pressure.

See:

http://neuromuscular.wustl.edu/antib...html#vascassoc

[cyclelops]

I have a ANA greater than 1:1280 and have for months. I still test negative on all routine autoimmune diseases, altho I do have a slightly low C4. I am wondering if the ANA is indicative of high nAchR antibodies, especially ganglionic. I believe the test for ganlionic nAchR is available now. This is not the same, to my understanding as the test for peripheral nAchR, which is different.

If you have confirmed PN, your neuronal antibodies need testing.

I am just learning about this too. I posted a few links on the Sjogren's thread on here, on Sjogren's and ganglionopathy.

ANAs are non-specific, but should not be blown off. The indicate inflammation and autoantibodies somewhere. One reading, however, and a fairly low one, would not alarm one greatly. Have it tested periodically. Mine bounced around from negative to off the charts for years, then settled in for the long run at a greater than 1:1280 which is as high as most dilutions are done. They don't dilute past this point, as it isn't any more informative. My ANA could and likely is much higher....however, we still can't identify, which antibody it is.

It is not easy to get answers on many cases and sometimes the body doesn't give up clues for many years. It has been a long haul for me. I wish you the best of luck.

[cyclelops]

OOh, I just noticed your location. What is Lyme like there and have you been tested? I am a post lymer since 1994....never was right since then.

[spkar0517]

thanks for the input. There are a lot of other symptoms to lead to a lupus diagnosis i am afraid. Gave the ANA issue to all 3 of my kids. one just tested 1:640 - I am really scared. the PN was one thing to deal with, now i have constant headaches, severe eye pain, fatigue and a bunch of other wonderful side effects. seeing rheumy in nyc on monday, but primary and neuro thinking lupus. not sure what i have ahead of me, never mind what i have given my kids.

[cyclelops]

Lupus is manageable in a high proportion of cases. It is no longer the dreaded diagnosis it was 20 years ago, not that it is a picnic either. It is hard not to second guess the docs and waiting for diagnosis, our minds tend to run wild as to what it could possibly be that afflicts us. Hang in there. Lupus is not necessarily genetic, so, don't beat yourself up about your offsprings high ANA. Lupus does run in families, but that is not considered genetic. I know you are suffering and scared, but give the docs some time to work thru the diagnosis.