posted
Please weigh in if you know how this plays into Lyme?
Before I go into this, I want to note that last summer, I was in stage 3 renal failure, and so when the doctor's office called to ask me to sit down and prepare to hear my lab results, I was SUPER RELIEVED that it was NOT my kidneys again.
It surely surprised the nurse when I was relieved, instead of shocked or alarmed.
If I DO have this autoimmune disorder they're starting to diagnose, I can NEVER touch the methylprednisolone therapy so often offered, so I don't know what I'll do anyway.
Frankly, I'm not terribly alarmed, as this has been progressing very slowly-if at all. My hands have peeled over and over in the Exact same spots since 2004, and only lose circulation in the very coldest weather. If anything, it's gotten LESS intense than it once was.
I had an ANA of 1:320 in 2006. Then it all appeared normal until this one. I totally expected yet another normal test. Until now, I've never had a positive anti-scleroderma antibody test. It still hasn't sunk in.
The hand symptoms first began years after the first bite in Yosemite. With two new Lyme Posittive tick bites, I now wonder if there's a connection between the new ANA and anti-scleroderma antibodies. Has Lyme ever done this to you or anyone you know?>?> THank you for all and any insights.
Suz
-------------------- "SEVEN LYME FACTS THAT COULD HAVE SAVED ME" VISIT ME AT:
IckyTicky
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 21466
posted
I had a positive ANA test last year and my primary was concerned. It was speckled pattern which I think is associated mostly with Scleroderma.
My LLMD told me not to worry about it. He says that he has a LOT of people with Lyme get positive ANA results that come and go with treatment.
I don't know a lot about Scleroderma (I try not to google too much anymore) but I do have some peeling on my fingers.. only on the sides of certain fingers and it's been that way for years now. No idea what that means.
-------------------- IGM: 18+, 23+, 30+, 31+++, 34+, 39IND, 41++, 58+++, 66+, 83-93IND IGG: 31+, 39IND, 41+ Also positive for Mycoplasma Pneumoniae and RMSF. Whole family of 5 dx with Lyme. Posts: 1014 | From Texas | Registered: Jul 2009
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
hi susan,
schleroderma is another 1 of 300 other illnesses mimicking lyme disease.
i tried to find art dougherty's comparisons of 300 other illnesses vs. lyme; but majority of those good pages have been removed.
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- I've had some positive ANAs, some speckled and at one time was thought to have Scleroderma. In my case, it seems to have been lyme (but I also had other tick-borne infections as well as HHV-6 and Cpn).
You seem aware of the importance in avoiding steroids as, if this is lyme, it could make it much worse and harder to treat.
If you do have lyme and still require specialized treatment, a good LLMD should be able to guide you.
----
A Google search brings up many links of medical articles that explore lyme as a possible cause of Scleroderma:
cross searched: Scleroderma, Borrelia -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- This does not address the frequent lyme connection (or that of other chronic stealth infections) with various autoimmune diagnoses, however, there are some good things to consider here:
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