Blood test for ana negative

Hi Heather, You're one of many who are seronegative but still have the condition! There are others on these boards who know more than me about how to get diagnosed, and I'm sure one or other of them will come in soon.

The answer is that you can still have it but it just makes it less likely. Mine was negative when tested a year ago (I was on steroids and had taken DMARDs for RA) but once off everything my ANA came back positive - although not specifically for Sjogren's. In fact it had a nucleolar pattern more indicative of Scleroderma.

But I had a lip biopsy done a month ago at the rheumy's request abs this has come back difinitively positive for Sjogren's. The other very clear indicator of Sjogren's was that I've had a raised to very high ESR and CRP for at least five years - not really relating to RA signs or symptoms. According to ARUK this is very common with Sjogren's so if you haven't already had blood tests done for inflammation then it would be a good idea to get them done too.

You might want to submit to a biopsy of lip cells, inside ones.  I had this done.  But actually you should have a dr. taking in your symptoms and that is sufficient for most who have seen it before and are experienced.  Have you gone to a Rheumatologist?  If not get a referal because they deal with these auto-immune issues.  I have the dryness everywhere now after 20 years and while there are over the counter remedies, you do need a prescription for restasis because that will help the dry eyes specifically.  Another professional you need to see is an opthamologist to see if your corneas are becoming scarred by the dryness.  This happens slowly.  For the mouth, if I am  not constantly able to sip something handy, then find a lozange you like and can keep in your mouth to stimulate saliva.  Because dry mouth creates a worse environment for bacteria and thus cavities, you need to inform your dentist and be seen twice a year.  There are mouth washes an toothpaste that boasts better results for dry mouth, also gum, but to help you keep your teeth and mouth in good shape, floss or get a water pic.  I had sore ribs, sounds like RA.  Go get a referral to a Rheumy.  THere are some joint issues with the sicca)dryness) but it can also mean you have brewing RA.  The sooner you are treated the better the outcome

Thanks all for your replies, at the moment I am under an orthopedic doctor cos I fractured my shoulder in January and he now wants to put pins in but last week went to neurologist cos my hands and knuckle joints stiff dr thought it might b nerve damage but it was ok he said he wld refer me to rheumologist cos he thought it cld be arthritis but silly me said I wld wait and see the ortho dr in sept, feel a bit like a moaner.

Anyone else had a negative ana blood test and it was ss?

Sure hope you've been able to see a RA doc about your symptoms and been able to employ some of the suggestions.  Aleve wouldhelp with the rib and hand pain.  Always bring a list of all the meds and supplements you take when seeing a doctor.  That way they can determine that nothing you are taking is contributing to the dryness.  Serology tests like the ana are only part of the euation.  They need to check your sed rate and the C-reactive protein which is elevated over time in people who have inflammatory illnesses.

There is a new test available called the Early Sjogren's Profile. I tested negative for all the others but on this one it showed my lgG to be 40.7 which is very high. Anything over 20 is positive for Sjogren's. I would request that blood test but it takes about 3 weeks to get the results. The test has only been available for less than a year and a lot of doctors aren't aware of it. Good luck!

I hope I am not a hypocondriac but all my symptoms seem to be ss hand stiffness rib pain and really dry mouth mouth ulcers. Maybe. It is not ss but if not I cannot think what I wld like to b diagnosed .so I know. Sorry to ask these questions maybe it is not ss i am diabetic and have gastroparis which I read can b connected. Any help out there?