Positive Ana

I've lost my sister to Lupus when she was 18. I immediately recognized the symptoms when I started to experience them myself, a few months ago. I've gotten my results back almost a week ago and they say: Positive ANA, 1:640.

Is it possible for me NOT to have lupus? Is it posible it's a false positive (are there such happenings with ANA?), or is it possible I have something else? Haven't seen my doc yet, I have an apointmet on Tuesday. Until then, I just sit, wait, and torture myself.

Since my sister had such an aggresive form, is it possible that I too would develop a deadly Lupus? Does it even run in the family?

I don't want to know, actually...

Just... I pray that it isn't Lupus. I'd even go and repeat the tests, but can't until my appointment.

Anybody with a hopeful thought?

I think that's why every rheumatologist office and other doctors always ask the question.

And, I have lupus and my grandmother had lupus too. As well as several uncles with severe childhood rheumatoid arthritis who have been on disability on occasion.

I do hope and pray that you don't have lupus.

But, in this day and age, there are many treatments out there if the find out about your lupus soon enough.

When they first learned about my lupus I was only 13 and I had severe kidney damage, but with treatment similar to chemotherapy and a lot of steroids...they got my kidney back close to normal such that I haven't even had to see a kidney doctor since I was 18. Of course the lupus doctor always does a basic check of the kidneys to be "sure"...but that's a long time for all to be fine in that area....

I still take daily meds.....and I have aches/pains....but, I'm not in danger of dying thus far unless something unexpected occurs.

Therefore, even if you have it....there is hope. There are treatments.

I got better....even though I got severe migraines which they thought were related to lupus during senior year....I filled out college applications from my hospital bed...

Went on to college....and then law school....

I haven't begun practicing law yet.....but, all in due time... Slow and steady wins the race....

And, I have a child....my parents/husband were afraid and worried....and it went fine...slight lupus activity towards the end...but no real danger....no c-section, even...induced him just a few weeks early....

So....even with lupus....you can live...have a family....career....

But, I will keep you in my prayers that you do not....because of course it is better to not have lupus if one can be completely healthy!

I had no idea that Lupus can be hereditary. This worries me even more.

I will repeat the tests next week.

Thanks for encouraging me, so far, to my knowledge, all the lupus sufferers I met finally couldn't fight the disease anymore...

It's nice to hear there are happier cases .

Thank you, will come back here after the test.

A positive ANA certainly does not = lupus, but your specific symptoms and other tests will be considered for a diagnosis.

The good news is more than new treatments; because it's systemic, the organs that are affected vary a great deal. If your tests reveal kidney and liver damage, concentrate on "fixing" that damage, but if they don't there is no reason to think they will just because your sister died (I'm so sorry, by the way. I can't even imagine how scared you are right now).

The truth is that lupus isn't life-threatening for the majority of lupus patients today. Hopefully you're in that category and will stay there. I'll cross my fingers for you.

I also agree that I believe that my daughter was unfortunate to receive lupus from me. The difference in here case and mine is she only has the type of lupus that is unique to the skin (Discoid). She doesnt have SLE Lupus like myself. She has a positive ANA but having a positive ANA can be for a variety of reasons. I also have Sjogrens disease. That my daughter also has. Alot of the auto immune disease smptoms mimic each other and in some cases it makes it unclear exactly which one a person can have esspecially if its more than one. SO a positive ANA can be a lot of different things. Sjogrens, lupus, RA,etc.....

In your case you mentioned that you already are symptomatic for the same type of lupus your sister had. I have to agree with the prior post in that this day in age there are so many ways to treat lupus. Awareness is a huge help. The more people are aware of it the more that will be done to help those with lupus. I have always thought of lupus in each of us being somewhat like a snowflake. No two are really the same. So where your sister wasnt able to overcome lupus, you may just be able to overcome it. (My heart goes out to you in dealing with this. I am so sorry to hear about your sister and pray you stay strong. Dont let your fears get the best of you. God Bless you Dear)

I wish you the very best in your testing and trips to the doctor. Catch us up on your yourself when you get a chance. Prayers are there for you.