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Suggest Treatment For Swollen Fingers And Hands With Negative ANA And Anti DNA Test

Posted on Fri, 20 Jun 2014

Question: I have recently went to a Gatro doc for bloating and gas, she ran test and my ANA came back fine speckled at 1:1280 I had Lyme disease about 8 months ago and wasn't all that great at taking my amoxicillian like should have been, so anyway they did some other testing Ssa/Ssb and XXXXXXX Igg scrledoma testing and anti Dna double stranding, so far my test have come back negative expect the Anti dna which is still pending. Lately my fingers and hands are swollen and body aches pretty much everywhere. Please Help with answers.

Answered by Dr. Anshul Varshney (9 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Give me further details.

Detailed Answer:
Dear Friend.
Welcome to HCM.
I am Dr Anshul Varshney. I understand your concern.
ANA positivity with this pattern goes in favour of some autoimmune disease.
ANA is positive in a lot many immune disorders. Further testing is done to narrow down the differential diagnosis. Like Anti DS DNA has been done to rule out Lupus (SLE).
Give me a few more details:
1. What problems you had for which your GP got you tested?
2. Which joints are involved? Any morning stiffness? Small joints or large joints?
3. Anyvfrequent reddning of eyes?
4. Any recurrent oral ulcers?
5. Any weight loss or fever?
6. How are your routine tests like ESR, Hemoglobin, kidney function tests. Please attach reports.
Give me these details and attach the reports for a better help.
Stay Healthy.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Anshul Varshney (14 hours later)

I have been tested for ESR,CBC,CMP,DS-DNA SSA/SSB XXXXXXX IGG they all came back normal lately the last week is when my joints started hurting, my hands, back, feet, and neck, nauseous, diarrhea and fatigue. Could it be my Lyme lingering?

Answered by Dr. Anshul Varshney (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Details follows

Detailed Answer:
Dear Friend.
ANA positivity is not q characterstic feature of Lyme's disease.
Once your Anti Ds dna report is available, I would be able to comment better.
Moreover, a good history is required for a perfect clinical diagnosis and to co relate it with laboratory results. I asked you many questions in this regard only.
So answer me with the answers of those questions preferably in point wise manner.
Stay Healthy.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Anshul Varshney (1 hour later)

No I do not have rending of eyes.weight loss ,fever or oral ulcers. My Gastro doctor ordered those test I mentioned because of bloating, gas and occasional stomach pain EVERY THING came back normal even the anti DS, I had a ct scan of my stomach which was normal. I did have mono in the past.

Answered by Dr. Anshul Varshney (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Detail Follows.

Detailed Answer:
Dear Friend.
If Anti DS DNA is also negative, then it is unlikely to be Lupus.
Mono and Lyme's disease have nothing to do with ANA.
ANA sometimes can be false positive in Lyme's disease. So, that need to be ignored, if your other complete Auto antibody profile was negative.
I would appreciate if you could attach the report.
I am still not convinced why your doctor ordered ANA, for gastric issues.

Anyways, you don't have to worry. I would suggest you to get your ANA repeated again after 3 months and review with us.
If you develop any problem then you should see your doctor.

This is my best opinion based on available details. You should discuss with your doctor before acting on any advice given by me.

Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar