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What Causes Fatigue, Fever And Muscle Twitching Despite Having Positive ANA Test?
Question: For over a year I have had flu like symptoms like my body is trying to fight something. Extreme fatigue, fever, muscle twitching...early on, muscle spasms in legs and buttocks. I have seen many doctors. I have had 3 past cervical spine surgeries. I have a positive ANA, speckled pattern, titer--1:160, elevated..to the cap A/G ratio, MCV, and MCH, interstital scarring of the lungs and oxygen count at night in the low 80's. My sediment rate is normal but my RA factor is a 9. I have a dry right eye per optical and a black spot in my left eye that never changes...fibrous tearing of the retina area. I also have a persistent rash, raised red spots on my chest below my breasts that never go away. Also a few raised red spots on the sides of my face...almost like a mole but they are a light red, pinkish color. Also I have several of these on my shins...they never go away.
None of these areas itch.
I have intense joint pain periodically in my thumbs and wrists, also big toes. Every 5-6 wks. I have a really bad session with spasticity in my legs and buttocks...it is debilitating. My calves are usually rigid although I am not doing anything...involuntary spasming. My husband thinks it may be the changes in barometric pressure due to storm fronts but I have had some when there are no storms. Increased activity can trigger one of these episodes. My doctors do not believe I have Lupus but everything points there or an autoimmune disease. I have had cat scans of my brain to check for MS but they came back normal. I have 3 hemagiomas in my thoracic spine. Please help me with your thoughts. I have been to the Mayo clinic in Rocester, MN and they ruled out motor neuron disease as one neurologist thought I may have it. Should I go to a rheumatologist or have a spinal tap? I have not ruled out MS or Lupus, possible scleroderma or Guillain Barre. I know I need to put a face on this illness and the sooner I can I could get on medication...please help me...thank you, XXXXXXX
None of these areas itch.
I have intense joint pain periodically in my thumbs and wrists, also big toes. Every 5-6 wks. I have a really bad session with spasticity in my legs and buttocks...it is debilitating. My calves are usually rigid although I am not doing anything...involuntary spasming. My husband thinks it may be the changes in barometric pressure due to storm fronts but I have had some when there are no storms. Increased activity can trigger one of these episodes. My doctors do not believe I have Lupus but everything points there or an autoimmune disease. I have had cat scans of my brain to check for MS but they came back normal. I have 3 hemagiomas in my thoracic spine. Please help me with your thoughts. I have been to the Mayo clinic in Rocester, MN and they ruled out motor neuron disease as one neurologist thought I may have it. Should I go to a rheumatologist or have a spinal tap? I have not ruled out MS or Lupus, possible scleroderma or Guillain Barre. I know I need to put a face on this illness and the sooner I can I could get on medication...please help me...thank you, XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Autoimmune disease is possible.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.
I have read your query and understand your concerns.
An autoimmune disease seems probable in your case, because of symptoms and ANA positive result.
Dry eye may point towards Sjögren's syndrome especially if you experience dry mouth too.
Sjögren's is usually accompanied by rheumatoid arthritis so, this condition, because of a part of your symptoms and elevated RA, should be considered too.
Sedimentation rate is found almost always elevated in cases of autoimmune diseases, so, this questions a little the diagnoses mentioned above.
It is necessary also for C-reactive protein measurement to evaluate the degree of the inflammation.
About Lupus, it is necessary for other antibodies measurements such anti-dsDNA antibody and kidneys function evaluation in order to understand better this possibility.
If you had MRI of the brain and spinal cord done and results were negative about MS, it is not necessary to have a spinal tap done.
CT scan isn't the test of choice about MS.
Guillain-Barré syndrome usually takes less time to progress, in addition symptoms don't match completely.
Hemangiomas of the spinal column in most cases are an incidental finding after imaging studies done for other reasons, and mostly don't cause any clinical medical problem, unless larger ones that may be related to spontaneous vertebral fractures and/or spinal cord compression.
In conclusion, an autoimmune disorder needs to be considered in your case and for this you should consult with a Rheumatologist.
A brain and spinal cord MRI is necessary if you didn't have it done yet, to evaluate brain and spinal cord involvement in regards to your symptoms.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Greetings.
Autoimmune disease is possible.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.
I have read your query and understand your concerns.
An autoimmune disease seems probable in your case, because of symptoms and ANA positive result.
Dry eye may point towards Sjögren's syndrome especially if you experience dry mouth too.
Sjögren's is usually accompanied by rheumatoid arthritis so, this condition, because of a part of your symptoms and elevated RA, should be considered too.
Sedimentation rate is found almost always elevated in cases of autoimmune diseases, so, this questions a little the diagnoses mentioned above.
It is necessary also for C-reactive protein measurement to evaluate the degree of the inflammation.
About Lupus, it is necessary for other antibodies measurements such anti-dsDNA antibody and kidneys function evaluation in order to understand better this possibility.
If you had MRI of the brain and spinal cord done and results were negative about MS, it is not necessary to have a spinal tap done.
CT scan isn't the test of choice about MS.
Guillain-Barré syndrome usually takes less time to progress, in addition symptoms don't match completely.
Hemangiomas of the spinal column in most cases are an incidental finding after imaging studies done for other reasons, and mostly don't cause any clinical medical problem, unless larger ones that may be related to spontaneous vertebral fractures and/or spinal cord compression.
In conclusion, an autoimmune disorder needs to be considered in your case and for this you should consult with a Rheumatologist.
A brain and spinal cord MRI is necessary if you didn't have it done yet, to evaluate brain and spinal cord involvement in regards to your symptoms.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Greetings.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Answered by
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