New here and currently under going testing........

[Limarie]

Hello.....My name is Lisa. I am a soon to be 42 y/o (next month) who is currently under going testing for Sjogren's. I have a follow up appointment on 4/1 with my Rheumy to go over blood work and for a possible lip biopsy.
Thanks to the patient portal I have access  to some of my blood work results. This is where I become confused.......

My RF came back positive. My RA Titer came back 1:2 A (I'm assuming the A means abnormal???) there is no mention of any pattern. I suppose when I go back on 4/1 I will get more details. But maybe there not being a pattern mentioned means there was no pattern?  And I *THINK* my SS-A & SS-B both came back negative so I am pretty sure I will be having that lip biopsy. 
I am aware that healthy people can have a positive RF so there is still a chance that I may be a "healthy" person lol. My CBC looks pretty good. I only had 2 flags.....my MCV was low and my RBC was just a tad high. I would REALLY appreciate if ANYONE could shed some light on what my labs are indicating......if anything. 

I am being tested for Sjogren's because I have had CHRONIC dry mouth since January. I have it everyday to some degree. Some days it is REALLY bad and some days it is mild. But I have experienced it everyday. I also have dry, cracked lips off & on during this time period. And I get sores in the corner of my mouth quite frequently. My eyes are fine. They just burn sometimes. But that has only happened a couple times.

I do have Pars Planitis (Intermediate Uveitis) which is simply inflammation in both my eyes. And I was recently DX'd with Costochondritis
I also have joint/muscle pain off & on but I have learned to deal with it. My Vit D came back at 14. So I am on 50,000IU a week and 1,000IU a day. I have had problems keeping my Vit D level in the normal range for the last 3 years. My B-12/Folate levels came back fine.

Sorry this is so long......and thanks in advance for any replies!!
Lisa 

[eye2dry]

hello Limarie.

welcome to the forum.

I don't see an ANA listed in your report.  ANA is usually listed as a ratio
an example mine was 1:1280 speckled pattern.

MY RF number was 144 with anything above 40 as positive.

My SSA and SSB came back as positive but my lab report never gave
a reference range.

An ANA is like a RF results...can be positive/elevated but not mean you have...
a autoimmune disease. And these numbers don't always stay the same either...

Also even if your lip biopsy is negative doesn't mean you do not have sjogrens.
As you've maybe heard, lots of rheumatologist treat you for sjogrens by symptoms alone.

I had the fatigue, dry mouth and burning gritty red eyes all at the same time in my early
40's. At 52 the joint pain started in my feet, elbows and right hip and that's when someone finally
(my GP)thought to run basic labs to check for arthritis. My GP ran RF, sed rate and ANA along with
CBC and chem profile. It came back positive for "some type of arthritis and I am going to send you
to a specialist to find out what type".

My rheumy ran all the above plus SSA and SSB, ds-DNA...etc
My return visit he informed me I had sjogrens....RA....hypothyroid.

That's my story on initial labs.
Hope this info helped in some way for you.
Your appt is 4/1...don't forget to post what happens at your visit.

take care,
shelly
I am assuming you dr. already thought about dry mouth causes like
antihistamine use or anti-depressants if you take any.

[Limarie]

Hi Shelly and thanks for the welcome & reply!!

The only result I have that came back as a titer is the RA Titer and it came back at 1:2 A and again I am assuming the A stands for abnormal??? And my RF didn't list a number only a Positive (and it also had an A behind the positive). I honestly don't think that the patient portal is showing my COMPLETE blood work results.

I have been DX'd with Bipolar Disorder, OCD, PTSD & SAD (social) for which I do take meds daily. My Rheumy & I did discuss my meds in relation to my dry mouth but since I have had no changes or increases that my dry mouth is likely not from my meds.

Thanks so much for the info on the lip biopsy!! I was under the impression that the lip biopsy would either confirm or rule out Sjogren's.
I guess it is true that you DO learn something new everyday!! 

I will hang around and lurk & try to learn some more new things. You know......just in case I turn out not to be one of those "healthy" people. lol Will be sure & post about my appointment on 4/1!!

Thanks so much again!!
Lisa

[Carolina]

Hi Lisa, glad you found us.

You clearly have something serious going on.  I hope you are getting some meds to treat your symptoms.

It isn't that important that you have the tests to confirm the cause of your symptoms, but some things can be ruled out and it's important to check everything.

However, be SURE to get the help with your symptoms: a medication for saliva, a humidifier, some drops for your eyes (if appropriate).

You have a lot going on, and one of the co-conditions of Immune Disorders is depression (from the inflammation caused by the attack of your immune system on your own body).

So don't 'listen' to your own negative voice too 'deeply'.  Come here and tell us how you feel, what is going on, and get a reality check, OK?

Welcome, and Hugs,  Elaine

[Limarie]

Thank you so much for the welcome Elaine!!!! I am currently only taking meds for my mental health......except for the Vit D. 
I have started self-treating my dry mouth myself........I have started using Biotene toothpaste which has helped and I try to keep a drink with me at all times. If I can't have a drink with me I have ACT mouth lozenges for dry mouth and they also help a lot.

My eyes are not really a problem at all. Thank goodness! As I have said before, they burn sometimes but it's really no big deal. I live in S. E. Mo (near the bootheel) so it may simply be something in the air. I see my optometrist every 6 months and as needed for my Pars Planitis and she is aware of my being tested for Sjogren's. She is even going to inform the retina specialist I see on occasion about my rheumy suspecting Sjogren's.

I thank you again and truly appreciate your kind words!!
Happy Spring!!!