... This confirms the positive ANA test at a significant, although not extremely high, level. ... (0 replies)

... Ro is the ANA subtype most often found. ... (1 replies)

... Hi. I just saw a very blunt statement about Remicade, that some patients develop a "lupus-like syndrome"; AND IF THEY DO, THEY MUST DISCONTINUE. That term might mean something more SLE-like than DILE-like, I don't know... In your shoes, I'd read all the Remicade drug info I could find before my rheum. appt. Among the things I saw listed as possible: rashes, neutropenia (low... (3 replies)

... I looked through my records and found that I tested negative for ANA the same year I started Remicade. ... (3 replies)

... Hi, "cm", and welcome! I also had episodic GI problems so severe that Crohn's or Ulcerative Colitis seemed the most logical candidates. Also, fatigue, hair thinning, weight loss, migraines, bladder problems (including a bout of stones that caused a total blockage), miserable periods (always painful, sometimes lasting weeks), B-12 & Folate deficiency, joint pain and pain along... (3 replies)

... I came up positive for ana speckled and negative for dsDNA. They said im negative for smooth Dna antibodies too. ... (3 replies)

... even crummier. A couple of weeks ago I had to go to ER for a lump that came up in my neck and had difficulty swallowing. I was told it was a muscle spasm due to low potassium. Since then I have head, neck and ear pressure just about everyday. ... (5 replies)

... jay2penny, hi. Welcome! First, congratulations on your new baby girl. In answer to your question, my doctors (many) didn't diagnose lupus or prescribe lupus meds until they were totally sure*, because they didn't want to modify or flat-out suppress my immune system without proof. (* For me, totally sure meant meeting > 4 lupus diagnostic criteria. You may find those in one... (3 replies)

... is a pretty low ANA. ... (2 replies)

... I know that is a disease that comes back with a positive ANA and ASM. BUT my liver enzymes are normal now. ... (0 replies)

... I too have a somewhat low ANA, but I am in excruciating amounts of pain and am very very inflamed... ... (7 replies)

... so although it's positive, it's so low they don't think it means much. ... (7 replies)

... The ANA is not that high. Have you been tested for all the autoimmune antibodies, RF factor, TPO etc? ... (12 replies)

... ochondriac and have OCD and is sending me to a counselor because he doesnt believe my symptoms are real. My nuerologist says that the titers on the dsDNA are too low to be considered positive for lupus. No doctor can help me so far. ... (4 replies)

... DSDNA and anticentromere and the like. UCTD also can have low complement levels. ... (27 replies)

... Boxermama, in post #23, you mentioned alkaline phosphate. Was it high or low, and what might each suggest? You should add to your To Do list. I know, your list keeps expanding. But that really is the best way to get your arms around this & to sense whether you're getting appropriate medical input. (I didn't ask the right things, I didn't know any better, plus my worst years... (27 replies)

... Boxermama, even if you don't want Plaquenil now, I hope you'll do yourself a small favor: look into it, write down its many benefits, get your arms around the eye concern (which is extremely low-odds, btw), and keep your notes in a file you could consult. I found the most comprehensive (and reassuring) info on Plaquenil in a lupus hardcover. (The lupus board has a "sticky... (27 replies)

... Back from Rheumy and repeat blood work has same ana and pattern but white count is back to normal range so she said that is a good sign. ... (27 replies)

... So now waiting for results of repeat blood work to see if ANA still positive with same pattern and see if white count(slightly low) and CRP(slightly high) have returned to normal. I have been doing much reading and realize that I must insist on a referral to the teaching hospital rheumies. I realize that even though Scleroderma is rare, I just may have some of the early... (27 replies)

... My C3 was LOW ,also common in lupus. ... (27 replies)