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What Causes Pain In Joints And Muscles Despite Having Positive ANA Test?

Posted on Fri, 13 Mar 2015

Question: I dont have a diagnosis yet, but symptoms are... blood work is, ANA positive,titer 1;160, WBC w Diff 13.1, Neu# 10.0, Neu%76.3, cells are "homogeneous in shape, "abnormal". PAIN in ALL joints and Muscles for years, Duyputrens Contrtacture in both hands all fingers affected, Carpel Tunnel Syndrome Both arms (severe), Bakers Csyst behind both knees, meniscus tears as well, MRI said scarring in subcortial and frontal (mild 6 months ago), vertigo, nausea, hiatial hernia,hand jerks and tremors, shoulder jerks,shocks throughout body jolting me like lightning strike,right eye dosen,t work as I turn my head from right to left, also sees double at times, migraines (16 years everyday) 2 bladder surgeries (still have urgency). 2 meniscus repairs10 years ago, lumpectomy 9 years ago,Radical Hestorectomy 13 years ago. Cant think of anything else right now. I am female, 53, 5'7" tall, 130 lbs, 6 children. What do you think??

Answered by Dr. Indu Kumar (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
It is important to exclude arthritis.

Detailed Answer:
Hello

I have gone through your findings in detail.You are suffering from multiple problems.
Current major problem like joint and muscle pain is most likely related to arthritis.
Your physical problem and positive ANA indicate towards arthritis.You may need further tests and clinical correlation.Additionally,you may need highly sensitive CRP test,RA factor,anti-CCP estimation,routine blood investigations.
You may need X-ray of both hands,Both SI joint(PA view) to see changes of arthritis.
Investigation findings should be correlated clinically for arthritis.
You may need DMARDs(Disease modifying antirheumatic drugs) group of drugs.

It is also important to exclude hypertension,altered lipid profile as these conditions may cause ischemia and scarring in brain.
You can consult neurologist.You may need prophylactic drugs for migraine.

Get well soon.
Hope I have answered your question.
Further queries are most welcome.

Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX

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

Follow up: Dr. Indu Kumar (16 minutes later)

Well the RA Doc i saw, said "no, you definitely don't have RA"! My primary doc said it looks like an autoimmune disease. But no RA doc can /will even see me until may! Also, just had tubes put in my ears a week ago (2nd time in 4 years) because they continue to fill with fluid and won't drain right. I have multiple allergies and i have had 3 anaphalactic reactions to medications (ampicillian at age 14, ibuprofen 5 years ago, flector patch 4 years ago, and brintellex 8 months ago).

Answered by Dr. Indu Kumar (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Arthritis may be due to many causes.

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Arthritis may be due to many causes like RA,psoriasis,SLE etc.RA is also considered as an autoimmune disease.
Different type of arthritis present differently.X-ray findings and blood investigation findings of different arthritis also varies.So,you need complete evaluation by a rheumatologist.

Get well soon.
Hope I have answered your question.
Further queries are most welcome.

Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

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