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I have a lot of the symptoms for sjorgens, very dry mouth, gum disorders, joint pain but my ana was negative does that mean I don''t hve it. My hands feel like it might be arthritis and I hve sore ribs.
1 like, 12 replies
lily65668 heather72469
Posted
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.
Tumtum1963 heather72469
Posted
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.
lynn15111 heather72469
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heather72469
Posted
lily65668 heather72469
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Heather, see if they'll let you change your mind and see the rheumatologist after all. Obviously you need to keep up with the ortho doctor in view of your shoulder injury, but it's the rheumatologist who'll have the best overview of your symptoms.
heather72469 lily65668
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heather72469
Posted
tj268 heather72469
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Hello heather, I had positive ANA, Positive SSA?Ro, and an elevated ESR. Neuro said SS,and possible other conditions related to it. Saw a surgeon for an unrelated issue who aso said I had SS and possible RA. Had appt with Rheum the next day.
Saw my Rheum for 2 nd visit today and he said he doesn't believe my blood tests results and thought poss MS then dropped it and said I have Fibro. I am consulting with my GP soon and seeking a new Rhuem or a second opinion and I think you should also. WIshing you the best!
lynn15111 heather72469
Posted
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.
SharonFromBama heather72469
Posted
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!
heather72469
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tj268 heather72469
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Hello Heather, I am newly dx'd with SS. It was even a consideration until I saw a Neuro. I too have a dry mouth but not extreme. I cough and choke a lot though. Also I am diabetic. My Neuro ran blood tests and I was positive SSA with high ESR and positive ANA. Have you had any of these tests? A couple symptoms we also have in common is stiffness in fingers (at times shooting pains) and rib pain. I also have extreme joint pain and muscle pain and migraines among other things. Does any of this also sound familiar?
I would recommend getting the blood tests I have had done and go from there. I'm so sorry you are having so much pain and feel for you
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