13 yo ds diagnosed with ANA

amother

Fri, Dec 13 2013, 1:39 pm

13 yo was complaining about mainly headaches and also stomach and joint aches for about 5 months already. It all started after he had a virus with cough and headache. I went to few neurologists and they found nothing. I just took him last week to infectious diseas specialist and she just called me and said his throat culture came positive for ANA. Does anybody know what does that mean? I looked online and got some information. She referred me to an auto immune disease pediatric doctor which I made an appointment for next week. TIA

PinkFridge

Fri, Dec 13 2013, 2:10 pm

If you google ANA you'll see that it means something autoimmune is going on and needs further investigation. The dr. you were referred to sounds like just who you should be seeing. You're getting in soon which is great. If it were going to be longer I'd suggest that you should ask your pediatrician to run further tests that the ANA could signify so you would have more results for the specialist. There are many many possibilities, not all the nightmare type.

amother

Fri, Dec 13 2013, 2:19 pm

When I was 18, I broke out from the sun on my arms, face. hands. The doctor did blood work and it also came back positive for ANA. He told me I might have Lupus. I went to a specialist who did further workup and everything came back negative b'h. I don't even remember when the last time I had a flare up..20yrs. later I asked my internist to check my ANA and it came back fine.

amother

Fri, Dec 13 2013, 2:37 pm

sara123456 wrote:

Do u mean elevated ANA in a blood test, if so, what are the numbers?

Thanks everybody for the responses. I'm so scared and confused. The doctor is going to ail the results. She didn't tell me the numbers on the phone. I will post it when I will get it.

sara123456

Fri, Dec 13 2013, 3:20 pm

I know you're scared, the unknown is the worst! I've been there so I know.

In my case, I took blood work due to a problem swallowing. Food would literally get stuck in my throat and I almost choked!! I was sent to a GI and they did a barium swallowingtest and eeverything was fine. Then my results came back and my doctor called me in with a suggestion, that I come with my husband. This spelled trouble in my mind!

He said ANA levels are very elevate . (Close to 1,000 it should be near 0. I need to see a rheumatologist, and NOW. I made an appt right away and and she asked a million questions. Then she did a comprehensive exam followed by blood work. I wwas a bundle of nerves!! Lo and behold, she found nothing wrong and my levels were elevated! She said that a small percentage are genetically prone to elevated levels with no explanation. Also, pple with active autoimmune diseases have numbers above 3,000. Maybe it's the beginning of something. ..

I go back every year for a b/w check and exam and nothing changed, bh.

Hopefully your daughter will be from the lucky ones!!!

amother

Mon, Dec 16 2013, 3:10 pm

sara123456 wrote:

Do u mean elevated ANA in a blood test, if so, what are the numbers?

Thanks again for all the replies. His ANA is 1:80. I searched online and the medicine he takes for the headaches might elevate the ANA numbers. I wonder if I need to go to the
Specialist. Or just wait

kenz

Mon, Dec 16 2013, 3:55 pm

I had this with my daughter too, her ANA was borderline positive. It was a very stressful time and b"H everything worked out well - she was also diagnosed as just one of those people who has an elevated ANA with no other symptoms of anything b"H. I would suggest you check it out immediately just to put your mind at ease, waiting it out means sleepless nights for you for something that might easily be nothing to worry about.

sara123456

Mon, Dec 16 2013, 4:11 pm

I'm not a doctor but I think the numbers are quite low. I would go for an advanced opinion to put your mind at ease like the previous poster suggested. Your mental health is worth it. I literally went off my mind waiting, and it was only 2 days. Please go, and bring us good news!

Hatzlacha...

amother

Thu, Dec 19 2013, 5:30 pm

Op here
Ds doesn't want to go to the doctor becsuse he missed so much school already. His number is 1:80. If c'v they found something is there any treatment or is it a disease that can't be cured. Do I have to rush to the doctor or can I wait a week or two?

amother

Tue, Jan 14 2014, 2:10 am

Op here
I took ds to the doctor. She checked him and said he looks healthy and the ANA 1:80 could be nothing. She said to come to recheck it in 6 months.
Ds stayed up late when he was away. Now he has a bigger headache and said he has hot flushes occasionally and especially today. I never mentioned the term hot flushes to him and nobody we know have it. Isn't it typical? The internal heat? He is always hot and it started with this whole problem. He also complained today about stomach ache. What should I do?