Fibromyalgia Support Group

Very true Dolly. Fibrofog must be kickin....lol

thank you dandalion and dolly for answering my questions,i still have alot to learn about the testing and retesting.i think i'll ask for a copy of my medical records since being dx with fibro to see what they actually tested me for.it seemed they were taking blood from me every time i went for an appointment.thank you both again.hugs,dawn

From what I have been told, the ANA test is to test for lupus. But, the blood test is not the only thing that doctors look at when trying to diagnose lupus. They also take a very detailed history of symptoms, and if you don't have a certain set of symptoms, they will not diagnose you with lupus, regardless of the results of the blood test.

Hi Everyone,

When I was 26 yrs old I am now 45 I had high ANA it always stayed at 1:1,230 very high! My internist then believed that fibro could be cured, those were the days we really endured the mental stigma. He said you are coming down with something we just don't know what it is.

They tested every few years hmm must be lupus nope isn't that. Well one day into my early 40's it finally came. My finger swelled to three times it size and I had been having psoriasis in different areas for awhile. I was put on heavy steriods they didnt work. I get sent to a specialist and my ANA levels dropped to normal after all those years and the sed rates came flying in. I was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis. My entire body covered with it so bad my head bled. I now take two different immune supressants.

This may not be what happens to you in the future it could just be the fibro and your body saying hey,,,,my immune system doesnt like this.

My theory after all these years and knowing what my body feels. The foods, drugs, stress, sugar are attacking your body and your immune system (anti nuclear bodies) are warning you, take care me right now or else. You dont have to listen to me...its just advice from someone that didnt listen to her body and now I have this.

Healthy organic food, stress free living, positive attitude, esp the chemical free life and sugar and boxed food life will ward off the big red light going off in your body. I am too sick to work now, too sick to buy the right things for my body because I cant afford it. It's harde

to get better than it is to give in to the doctors and wonder what we have. I hate to say it, I wish I would have years ago looked myself in a mirror and said...YOU ARE THE KEY, GET ON IT NOW BEFORE IT;S TOO LATE, STOP FEEDING YOURSELF JUNK...sorry for the diatribe I know this to be true no matter what the medical doctors say. Drugs are a huge corporate america money making machine. They help but they dont CURE! SEE MY OTHER RECENT POST ......sigh...I WANT MY LIFE BACK AND OFF THE DRUGS AND FOODS THAT ARE KILLING ME.

ANA titres are not just for lupus. There are several different autoimmune diseases. None pleasant. RA is one speckled pattern suggestive of scleredoma. A lt of people suffer from lupus and other autoimmune stuff and their tests never show it. It is not fibro. Be aggressive and have the blood work done every month till yopu getan answer.

I have a question. It's off the subject just a little. My boss has a sed rate of 64. He has lost so much weight he looks terrible and he is still losing. He's a private person and won't tell us anything. He says he feels wonderful. My goodness he comes in the morning staggering all over the place and making sounds like he is so tired he can't hardly go. I read up on sed rate and I'm thinking cancer. Any suggestions.

Had a high ANA from the time I was about 35...I'm now 52...and on a recent test it was within the normal range for the first time in that many years...every time they tested me they said they were testing for lupus and other autoimmune diseases...no one knew a blasted thing about fibro when I was diagnosed...my then husband agreed with 'the masses' that it was all in my head...however...I've since remarried and have a husband that gives a $hit and is sympathetic when I feel like caca...
It doesn't help that my 28 year old daughter basically "deleted" me from her life and is listening not only to her dad and his wild tales of what a horrible person/mother/wife I am/was...I have two beautiful grandbabies by her and haven't seen them in 3 years...that weighs a lot on my spirit...(prayers are MOST welcome)...
I've been on Topomax for3 years to prevent migraines...I just weaned myself off (with docs approval) and am in the process of weaning myself off of Cymbalta...I eat good food...my only vice is sweet tea...I don't drink, smoke, do drugs (except of course the Cymbalta)...just had my nuclear stress test and my heart is AOK...have taken up golf again after a 30 year "respite" and am loving it...
I'm in agreement with barefootsoul...try to do for your body what is best for it...try to get off of all the drugs (aka: poison) that the docs want you to take and take natural supplements if possible...
Back to ANA...get it checked at least every 6 months...in my humble opinion...

Have to get busy...golf at 4...still have laundry to do!

Enjoy your day!

my test where severa yeaars ago all mine were high sed rate and ana

Dr said borderline lupus

Not a doctor (but I play one on tv...hahaha...just kidding)...

Not a doctor...but my longtime physician (like since I was 6 years old) saw me recently and was concerned about some screwy blood tests...the first thing he said was...I want to check your SED rate...THAT will tell me if you are really in trouble or not...

my suggestion...if it's been that long...INSIST you have it done again...SED rate and ANA...

There are at least two types of Lupus...one not as critical (maybe not the right word) as the other...one seems to affect the skin in the form of rashes, etc. and of course the tiredness and all that you get from Fibro...which it is sometimes mistaken for...the other type of lupus is much more serious...as it destroys your internal organs...and leads to death...NOT something to fool around with...

YOU are the "employer" when you go to the doctor...even though he knows more than you...he is the one getting paid...thus your "service employee"...if the doctor you have won't 'allow' you to be checked again...find another doctor!

JMO (just my opinion)

My ANA is 1:320 also. Negative on SLE, RA.
but I do have ME and possibly Schogrens(spelling?).

Pos ANA is indicitive of Connective tissue disease & Immunological Disease.

I believe fibro is both of these with neurlogical issues as well.

All mixed together to form a big batch of hurting.lol