Re: Got my blood test back

[Guest guest]

You may still have Lyme disease and just not testing positive. Many patients

with Lyme disease test positive for some tests for Lupus. The tests for Lupus

are not specific enough to make the diagnosis. Many of the symptoms of Lyme

disease and Lupus are the same. They may even be the same disease.

Martha A.

[Guest guest]

Was the test for ANA? ANA is anti-nuclear antibodies, and it reflects (I

believe) activity levels of your immune system (sorry don't remember the

technical details). Anyway, elevated ANA is the first indication doctors look at

for Lupus. That's what my doctor thought when he saw my elevated ANA 8 months

ago.

Lyme Disease also can cause elevated ANA (because the immune system goes into

overdrive). That's been the case with me. My ANA has dropped as I have been

treated.

I suspect that's what your doc is looking at. Don't take an elevated ANA as

conclusive proof of lupus. It isn't! A good rheumatologist would tell you that,

and could provide more precise testing. My rheumy was able to rule out lupus

pretty quickly.

Good luck!

Jeff

>>> bk_dizzy2@... 04/18/03 19:46 PM >>>

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/19/2003 9:36:55 AM Eastern Standard Time,

hollygolightly722@... writes:

>

> Sometimes the ANA test for Lupus can be thrown off by having Lyme Disease.

I recently had an ANA done. Mine came back positive as well. The lab

suggested looking for Lupus, Scleroderma and Sjorgrens. I've been sick with

Lyme Disease and Coinfection for 10 yrs. So do I believe the positive ANA

result, sure but I dont think I have any of the illnesses it's mentions I

think my Lyme and coinfections caused the positive. Then I looked up what the

ANA looks for. It looks for inflamation in the body. If you have Lyme and or

coinfection you are going to have inflamation in the body so I dont hold much

stock in the ANA testing.

[unable to display image]Robyn in SouthCarolina[unable to display image]

[unable to display image]

Somebunny Loves You

[Guest guest]

Do you have Lupus symptoms? Lupus is an auto-immune disease...........and we

all know Lyme and antibiotic use can cause many auto-immune diseases.

The body attacks its own cells and tissues, causing inflammation, pain, and

possible organ damage. Characteristic is the Butterfly rash on the face.

Discoid lupus (also known as Cutaneous lupus) affects the skin.

Systemic lupus attacks multiple systems in the body which may include- the

skin, joints, blood, lungs, kidneys, heart, brain & nervous system.

Drug-induced lupus may develop after taking certain prescription

medications. Symptoms generally disappear after the drug is discontinued.

Drug-induced lupus generally is reversible. The following medications have

been definitely proved to be associated with drug-induced lupus-Procainamide

(used for heart rhythm abnormalities), Hydralazine (used for high blood

pressure), Isoniazid (used for tuberculosis), Quinidine (used for heart

rhythm abnormalities), Phenytoin (used for seizures). There are other drugs

which might possibly be associated with drug-induced lupus, but as yet there

is no definite proof.

Drug-induced lupus requires months to years of frequent use of a drug before

symptoms appear. Usually symptoms disappear after six months after stopping

the drug, but it could be days r weeks, it varies. The ANA may remain

positive for years.

I would go to a real good Rheumatologist. If you aren't presenting with

symptoms, it may just be a reaction caused by the lyme and all the

medications you have been on. In time the positive test will return to

being negative.

If you start with lots of symptoms, then I would investigate it

further......repeat the test in a few months.

Conniek nwnj

When our bodies & minds are out of balance...........we suffer!

[Guest guest]

Connie--- I'm particularly interested in your comments (below) about

drug-induced lupus.

Do you have any urls to send that address that specifically. In the meantime

I'll go on google and see what I can find.

Briefly, I was on Rifampin for 2 disastrous weeks (Bartonella). I foolishly

stayed on, trying to " gut it out " but now, sadder but wiser, feel that it

did some damage to me.

I now have a " flat diaphragm " and " hyper-inflated " lungs (shown by chest

xray) when I went to a cardiac doc for the shortness of breath that came

after Rifampin. Those are mostly noted in people who are/have been heavy

smokers (I've never smoked) or have asthma, emphysema or have had things

like asbestos or chemical exposure. This puzzled my cardiac doctor AND me.

The reason I'm asking is---- Rifampin is a drug that is given for TB also

and I saw the mention of Isoniazid below. May be a stretch------but it

caught my eye.

I'm going for more lung and heart tests but trying to get a handle on things

also------ I've been on long term abx for Lyme and have had occasional bouts

of short breath, but not as much as this.

Another unknown---- does shortness of breath mean that one's lungs are

hyper-inflated and the diaphragm is " flat " and those are reversible? I know

not many people will have a chest xray " just " because they have a bout of

breathing difficluties.

Anyway, just asking around to the people in the " trenches " --the experts.<g>

My llmd, of course, is on vacation!!!!

cave76

> Systemic lupus attacks multiple systems in the body which may include- the

> skin, joints, blood, lungs, kidneys, heart, brain & nervous system.

>

> Drug-induced lupus may develop after taking certain prescription

> medications. Symptoms generally disappear after the drug is discontinued.

> Drug-induced lupus generally is reversible. The following medications have

> been definitely proved to be associated with drug-induced lupus-Procainamide

> (used for heart rhythm abnormalities), Hydralazine (used for high blood

> pressure), Isoniazid (used for tuberculosis), Quinidine (used for heart

> rhythm abnormalities), Phenytoin (used for seizures). There are other drugs

> which might possibly be associated with drug-induced lupus, but as yet there

> is no definite proof.

>

> Drug-induced lupus requires months to years of frequent use of a drug before

> symptoms appear. Usually symptoms disappear after six months after stopping

> the drug, but it could be days r weeks, it varies. The ANA may remain

> positive for years.

>

[Guest guest]

Have you had your ACE level tested? Sacoidosis is an auto-immune disease

that can affect the lungs.........have a chest x-ray.......it will rule out

Sarcoid.

Pulmonary sarcoidosis can cause loss of lung volume (the amount of air the

lungs can hold) and abnormal lung stiffness. (more in the site below)

Here are two sites to investigate.....one on Sarcoidosis, the other on Lupus

I pray you don't have either.

http://www.lungusa.org/diseases/lungsarcoido.html#what

http://www.uklupus.co.uk/new.html

Conniek nwnj

When our bodies & minds are out of balance...........we suffer!

[Guest guest]

ANA, (antinuclear antibody ??) I think these are antibodies that are

present in certain auto-immune diseases.........possibly ones of

inflammation??

I'm not sure of DNA, except that it identifies who we are.........kind of

our " fingerprints "

Was there another word attached to the DNA?

Connie

When our bodies & minds are out of balance...........we suffer!

[Guest guest]

My ANA is high!~

my albumin is low..

that is all I know, except my Lyme tests are always POSITIVE!

But, I will be getting more results from other charts by the end of the Month..I

will gladly let you know if they show anything, if you would like me to...

ANA, (antinuclear antibody ??) I think these are antibodies that are

present in certain auto-immune diseases.........possibly ones of

inflammation??

[Guest guest]

<<<my albumin is low.. >>>

I'm very interested in what this means..........

Conniek nwnj

When our bodies & minds are out of balance...........we suffer!

[Guest guest]

Positive ANA antibodies can mean Lupus, which is the test they do for

it. My doctor wants to see my ANA antibody test as he feels that my

extreme rash may be a Lupus rash, even though he thinks it might be a

medicine eruption and Celexa may be the cause. I have no idea what a

low albumin means but I am sure you will find out!

Hugs, Michele

-----Original Message-----

From: Dagosta Sent: Sunday, April 20, 2003 9:27 PM

My ANA is high!~

my albumin is low..

that is all I know, except my Lyme tests are always POSITIVE!

But, I will be getting more results from other charts by the end of the

Month..I will gladly let you know if they show anything, if you would

like me to...

[Guest guest]

Dear Janet,

Now it makes sense why my dermatologist wants my latest ANA antibody

tests, the tests he ran on the biopsies mean toward drug induced

eruptions and the only drug that I am on that would do that would be

Celexa. Figures, it is one of the few I cannot just stop taking.

However I did do some research just now on discoid lupus (a skin rash)

and it does not itch however, I guess I could have drug induced discoid

lupus and it could be itchy, who knows. I guess I will have to call

around Monday while is at work, it is his 58th birthday! I am

taking him out to dinner at an inexpensive steak place. Will let you

all know what I find out on Monday!

Hugs, Michele

-----Original Message-----

From: Janet Sent: Saturday, April 19, 2003 11:11 AM

Connie--- I'm particularly interested in your comments (below) about

drug-induced lupus.

Do you have any urls to send that address that specifically. In the

meantime

I'll go on google and see what I can find.

[Guest guest]

<<<I have no idea what a

low albumin means but I am sure you will find out!>>>>>

Is your Protein level low too?

My, Albumin and Protein are always low........(even though I eat a lot

of protein)

I found out I am not digesting protein properly, hence a low level in

both of these.......I am not taking Natural Protein Digesting Enzymes.

I think in my reading, Albumin actually has something to do with the

vein permeability/strength (not sure the word I am looking for) in

your body............hmmmm interesting.

Conniek nwnj

When our bodies & minds are out of balance...........we suffer!