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ANA Positive 1:640 Speckled

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sharonbrisbane
sharonbrisbane

7 Weeks ago I developed what the doctor believes to be vasculitis of the hands and feet, they were swollen, painful and itchy. Within days I developed a rash all over my body which is painful as in feels bruised and also itchy. I have been seing a general consultant at the hospital who has been running lots of bloody tests but have now been passed onto a Dermatologist who picked up the results of the last bloods ordered by the general consultant. Unfortunately this week for the first time 7 weeks the rash died down and had no rash when I saw the dermatologist apart from red swollen itchy swollen feet and hands. He noted the the blood result in the subject line and mentioned lupus in passing and then carried on reading bloods and mentioning a few off and a few ok but nothing to note and didnt talk me through any of them and just said he will see me again in 3 weeks. The rash has come back again today after a 3 day break along with a chest infection. This has been 7 weeks of rash and painful hands and feet and now chest. I dont know what to do next - I do have a good good GP and was she that referred me to the hospital back in December as she as a loss to know what the rash was which is over my body head to toe. Should I ask my GP to refer me to rheumatologist?  I have searched the above blood result and see that it doesnt mean Lupus for sure and can mean a few different things. Thank you for reading.

1 like, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • mrsmop
    mrsmop sharonbrisbane

    Posted

    Hi Sharon, have you actually seen the Dermatologist?  Can you photograph the rash?  If you have seen the Dermatologist, you could telephone his/her secretary and ask to be seen again.

     

    • sharonbrisbane
      sharonbrisbane mrsmop

      Posted

      Hello, thanks for your reply, I have seen the dermatologist, but can't get to see him again for 3 weeks. I can photograph the rash. Do you mean to put on here? Happy to do that if it might help if I can work out how to do that.
  • mrsmop
    mrsmop sharonbrisbane

    Posted

    I was actually thinking of taking photos for your Dermatologist, so that he can see what it is like today, not when it has disappeared for a bit!  But, it might be an idea to post it hear too because someone might recognise it.  

    When other people post pictures, they use a photo sharing site, like Flickr, then post a link.

    That reminds me, have you looked at DermNetNZ

     

    • sharonbrisbane
      sharonbrisbane mrsmop

      Posted

      Of course, that would be a good idea. I will take a photo incase it has dissapeared again when I see him next. I will have a look at that link now, thank you. I have an appt with my GP tomorrow and will ask for another referral elsewhere as I dont think the dermatologist was too interested in the blood results and more the rash which I suppose makes sense being a dermatologist.
    • mrsmop
      mrsmop sharonbrisbane

      Posted

      My Dermatologist gets very excited about bloods!!  Doctors can learn a lot from blood results.  I think it is a very good idea to ask to see someone different.

       

    • sharonbrisbane
      sharonbrisbane mrsmop

      Posted

      Yes and after 7 weeks I was rather hoping for some answers from the bloods so must say I was really dissapointed that I think there were some answers there but he wasnt interested in discussing them with me. I think the ANA result probably held some answers.
    • mrsmop
      mrsmop sharonbrisbane

      Posted

      Have you googled ANA Positive 1:640 Speckled?  I have just done so and Lupus is mentioned.

      Are you in Brisbane, or if not, which country?  Perhaps you are seeing the wrong Specialist

       

    • sharonbrisbane
      sharonbrisbane mrsmop

      Posted

      Yes I googled it and saw that Lupus was among a few autoimmune illnesses that it could be. I am in Brisbane yes. I will ask my GP tomorrow to refer me elsewhere just not sure if I should be seeing a rheumotologist or immunoligist. Getting desp to get the right meds now as have not been able to work since mid december and the only relief is from high dose prednisolone.
    • mrsmop
      mrsmop sharonbrisbane

      Posted

      I have noticed with other people, that they sometimes see an Immunologist, who then refers them to a Rheumatologist but, your GP should be able to point you in the right direction.  It has been my experience, that when doctors start to 'waffle' it is because they don't know what to do next and really, they should be talking to their colleagues and asking for advice.

      Good luck Sharon and let me know how you get on.

       

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