Question:
Thanks heaps for the prompt reply. The drs rang a few minutes ago and said not all the tests are in, but the ones are appear to be okay. But I’m seeing him on Monday when hopefully all the results are in. I’m going to try and understand more about it all so I can ask the right questions then. Thanks again.
Response:
On Wed, 19 Aug 1998 09:59:48 +1000, "Doreen Newman" <n…@b150.aone.net.au> wrote: >Hi All, >I’ve just been told that i might have lupus. Had blood tests last Friday. >One Dr said that the blood tests aren’t conclusive. Did he mean that they >might show lupus when it isn’t, or that it might show negative when it is >lupus?
yes. : Actually the tests done to try to diagnose SLE do not conclusively prove that SLE is there. They are tests that when seen can indicate that you might have SLE. There are many factors that are used to determine if you have SLE. You can read the hamline lupus pages http://www.hamline.edu/lupus/ and get a better idea of what is involved in SLE diagnosis. My pages have some of the same info as well as a list of symptoms that a number of my friends on the hamline list share. http://www.ghg.net/schwerpt/mypage.htm Caveat: a negative test does not mean you don’t have SLE. Sometimes it requires years of repeated testing in the light of consistent symptoms before a diagnosis is reached. I am one of those in that current diagnostic limbo. I have symptoms but only my ANAs are positive and not strongly so (1:320). >Also, if the lupus isn’t currently active do the tests still show >that it is lupus.
Everyone is different and the course of this disease is dictated by many genetic variations of your antibodies as well as other factors. Anecdote: My sister’s ANA remains very high all the time but she has been in remission most of the 10 yrs she has been diagnosed. (most but not all). My ANA is not very high (1:640 is usually needed to be diagnostic – mine has not gotten to that point) but I have been symptomatic for most of the past 4 years. So, the tests are often helpful – but not entirely reliable. My sister also has very high anti-Sm, and anti-dsDNA while in a flare but these have gone to zero since she went back into remission. >Hope this doesn’t read as confusing as I’m feeling.
Made absolute sense to me! :) Hope I was helpful at least some. >Any advice/ help appreciated.
I know my site is a bit wordy – it is intended to be informative rather than entertaining. I recommend you read it and see some of what is involved with diagnosis, etc. I also recommend you become familiar with the terminology of this illness, especially the tests and medications that will described to you. It makes it much easier for you to track your illness and keeps the docs on their toes! They will not always volunteer information and the key to coping with this illness is information. >Regards, >Doreen
take care and good luck, KC Cat kcdoc…@ghg.net P’d and E’d
Response:
Hi All, I’ve just been told that i might have lupus. Had blood tests last Friday. One Dr said that the blood tests aren’t conclusive. Did he mean that they might show lupus when it isn’t, or that it might show negative when it is lupus? Also, if the lupus isn’t currently active do the tests still show that it is lupus. Hope this doesn’t read as confusing as I’m feeling. Any advice/ help appreciated. Regards, Doreen
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