Lupus and or connective tissue disease

blunt12

Recently saw my PCP at the Naval Clinic where I live( I am retired Marines).  She ordered a host of tests to support my positive ANA test, titer @1.320

Centromere Ab	Negative	Negative
	Jo-1 Extractable Nuclear Ab	Negative	Negative
	Smith+Ribonucleoprotein Extractable Nuclear Ab	Negative	Negative
	Ribosomal P Ab	Negative	Negative
	SS-A 52kD Ab	Negative	Negative
	SS-A Ab	Negative	Negative
	SS-B Ab	Negative	Negative
	SCL-70 Extractable Nuclear Ab	Negative	Negative
	Smith Extractable Nuclear Ab	Negative	Negative
	DNA Double Strand Ab                                         Negative The Rheumatologist made no diagnosis for any disease  because of the supporting  tests, an exam, and x-rays  of the joints; knees and hands (normal) but yet the Naval doc insists I have a diagnosis of connective tissue disorder, and her reasoning was because of the positive ANA; Nuclear Ab Positive   Higher Than Normal Negative Nuclear Ab Titer 1:320 Titer units  Higher Than Normal Nuclear Ab TIter 2 1:320 Titer units  Higher Than Normal Nuclear Ab Pattern Homogenous   Higher Than Normal Nuclear Ab Pattern 2 Speckled   Higher Than Normal I am a male @ 55 y.o. and not saying I couldn't have something  but was a little irritated she made a diagnosis over the Rheumatologist,

lsasuvivor

Every Rheumatologist is different, but I suspect the diagnosis of CTD is based on combination of symptoms and test results.  I’m no expert, but my daughter has CTD, and we’ve researched everything we could about the disease and asked a million questions.  It’s my understanding that it means that you may have a combination of three or more rheumatoid diseases that could include RA, SLE, Scleroderma, Sjogrens, etc. Your doctor may want to monitor your symptoms before making a specific diagnosis and starting treatment.  It has taken years for some of my daughters symptoms to manifest themselves. For many of these diseases, the initial treatment may be the same, so should your symptoms worsen, your doctor may start treatment without knowing exactly which rheumatoid disease is causing problems.  Once you have a specific diagnosis, then treatment can be adjusted accordingly.  Of course there is no one size fits all treatment, so it may take time to figure out what works or doesn’t work for “you”.  Only you know how you feel, so it’s important that you communicate any symptoms you have to your doctor.  I recommend keeping a medical journal and take it with you to every appointment.  Take pictures of any swelling, redness, rashes, etc. as your symptoms may wax and wane and might not be visible by the time you can get in to see your doctor.  Hang in there and good luck!

blunt12

Thanks for the reply.  The only issue I had is the Rheumatologist made no diagnosis and my PCP made a diagnosis over her. The Rheumatologists non dx was made on tests, x-rays, and examinations of me, the PCP only looked at the ANA results and disregarded the other blood tests she ordered!  She came in the room at first and made a declarative statement  that I had Lupus!  I reminded her that's prevalent in women, not men!    Then based on her only  observation of me with no examination claimed  I had a CTD.