Lupus Q & A

I recently had a blood test to see if I have rheumotoid arthritus . HI SEDRATE:The results say the normal number is 1-15 mine was 23 , how bad is this and also what is the scale after the 1-15 is 23 very high/ Also on the test was this Positive 1:320 Homogeneous what does that mean??

In mid August ’04, I developed a blood clot in my left leg. One week later I was diagnosed with SLE. Fifteen months later I am still on coumadin and have been told I will have to take for the rest of my life. SLE has a tendency to repeat past blood clots, I was told. Is there another drug to replace coumadin so I can stop the madness of blood tests every month for pro times? What is your opinion?

I had negative antibody levels except for the ANA (strong positive) on an Elisa screen but did have low levels of ds-dna, sm, ssa and ssb (they are still considered negative) My question is if their presence even at a low level is something to be concerned about? They all increased over 6 months. Will they continue to increase over time? I have read that their presence at anytime is abnormal. I continue to have symptoms of multiple joint pain, swelling, fatigue,etc… although it is finally seeming to improve since starting plaquenil about 4 months ago. I just wonder what this all means for the future. I have been diagnosed with Sjogren’s and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and also have been positive with the Lupus anticoagulant on 3 different occasions.

Is it okay for someone with lupus to get breast implants if they are in remission

My doctor has referred me to Michelle Petri for what she believes is lupus, but in MY research, I found another physician at JH who specializes in Early UCTD which is my CURRENT diagnosis. Which one do you recommend I see? Also, my symptoms cover various specialties including dermatology and GI as well as rheumatology…should I expect Dr. Petri (or whomever I see) to cover all bases or will I be referred to another specialist if needed? Thank you in advance. I am trying to get an idea of what information I need to bring with me.

MY 6 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS SEEN FOR REOCCURING JOINT PAIN AND LOW GRADE FEVER. SHE HAD A +ANA (TITER 160) AND A CENTROMERE PATTERN. I WAS TOLD THAT HEALTHY PEOPLE CAN HAVE A + ANA, BUT SHE IS BEING SENT TO A SPECIALIST TO RULE OUT JRA OR LUPUS. THE ONLY RESEARCH I COULD FIND ABOUT A CENTROMERE PATTERN SAYS IT IS ONLY SEEN IN CREST SYNDROME. IS THAT TRUE?? DO HEALTHY PEOPLE WITH ANA+ TEST HAVE A CERTAIN PATTERN TYPE? THE SPECIALIST CANT SEE HER FOR 3 MONTHS, SO WE ARE PLAYING THE WAITING GAME. I REALIZE THAT LAB TESTS ALONE DONT MAKE A DIAGNOSIS BUT IT SEEMS LIKE CREST SYNDROME IS ONE OF THOSE FEW THAT IS CONSISTANT WITH ANA CENTROMERE PATTERN. SHE DOES SEEM TO HAVE ANY SKIN SYMPTOMS AT ALL. ANY INFO WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.