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ANA and ENA Antibodies

Posted , 5 users are following.

Carol_Anne
Carol_Anne

Hi Everyone

Please help I was struggling to get below 7.5 mg still had neck and shoulder pain, after a blood test my ESR level increased to 29 so the doctor upped my steroid to 10 mg for 2 weeks then I had another blood test and the ESR is still raised at 33 but my antibodies ANA and ENA were negative.

She now recommends I up the steroids to 15 mg and is sending me for an ultrasound scan of the abdomen has anyone had similar symptoms and what do you think this means.

My appointment isn't until April.

Thanks

Carol

0 likes, 19 replies

19 Replies

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  • MrsO-UK_Surrey
    MrsO-UK_Surrey

    Posted

    The hospital isn't really so far away - it's just that the route involved with everyone heading towards the M25 in both directions in the rush hour can cause many unexpected hold-ups and even gridlock. For as long as we can remember we have had our local hospital here in Ashford with all departments - our son was born in the maternity unit there. But the Government in their wisdom(!) decided to close , first of all the A&E closely followed by almost all other departments, transferring them to a hospital further away. They either didn't have the vision or didn't care that patients would find it horrendous to find a parking space at a hospital that had now merged with another resulting in double the amount of patients - and all this in an area that covers Heathrow airport with all its present day risk of terrorism etc. Our old Ashford Hospital with its A&E was the nearest to Heathrow - senseless!

    MrsO

  • Carol_Anne
    Carol_Anne

    Posted

    Hello Everyone

    I have taken the steroids (15 mg) at 6.30 this morning and you are all right I do feel better. I used to take them around 10.00 at the office (got into a routine) but I will now take them first thing as you recommend.

    I've read all the posts and do not think I want to take the steroid sparing agent so fingers crossed as I have gone up to 15 mgs my ESR might start to come down.

    Just wish I knew why its going up??! I had a word with the Co doctor and asked him is it because I exercise - and he said there is no evidence to suggest that. So I'll carry on.

    Hope everyone else is feeling OK on this nice sunny morning.

    Carol x

  • EileenH
    EileenH

    Posted

    You could quite well have an infection going on as well - the ESR is very non-specific and can be raised because of other things. But the way your doc has dropped the dose has almost certainly led to this problem. That drop was positively precipitous and will have allowed the inflammation to flare up. I exercised pre-diagnosis and have never had a raised ESR or CRP and that is very unlikely to have any effect. In fact the exercise should improve the blood supply to the muscles and help with the stiffness. Most of us certaily find that we feel better on the days we can get out and get the blood coursing through our bodies a bit faster!

    EileenH

  • Mrs_G
    Mrs_G

    Posted

    Hello carol Ann

    Glad you feel better today Another benefit of taking them earlier in the day it should mean you find it easier to sleep

    My Dr always asks me if my ESR result is raised if I have had any colds or infections as that will affect it

    best wishes

    Mrs G

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