Ok I have sjogren's, help understanding test results

[hopey]

Hi I went to the rheumy today and he said no on the lupus anticoagulant but that my sjogren's was very high,  the lab report says that the
sjogren's anti-ss-A  is 4.2 on a interval of 0.0-0.9
antinuclear antibodies
speckled pattern  1:1280
He is putting me on plaqunil I think that is how you say it and said he will see me in two months, does this look like a good plan of action to you guys? He also said to go to the eye doc and get an exam.
Thanks for any help!!
Hope

[Joe S.]

I do not understand the test results but other here do. I work with alternative therapies for myself. I had bad reactions to the traditional. It sounds like you are on the traditional. I wish you good luck.

[elliea]

Hi I went to the rheumy today and he said no on the lupus anticoagulant but that my sjogren's was very high,  the lab report says that the
sjogren's anti-ss-A  is 4.2 on a interval of 0.0-0.9
antinuclear antibodies
speckled pattern  1:1280
He is putting me on plaqunil I think that is how you say it and said he will see me in two months, does this look like a good plan of action to you guys? He also said to go to the eye doc and get an exam.
Thanks for any help!!
Hope

[elliea]

I was diagnosed 2 weeks ago-started on Plaquenil-so far so good--no side effects. I have to go back to the doctor(rheumy) in 2 more weeks. The fatigue and eye problems are driving me crazy--but I still go to work everyday and try to keep my life normal( if that's possible)  Good luck       Lesley

[evamarie]

I was diagnosed 7 weeks ago.  Positive ANA 1:1280, Positive SSA.  Started on Plaquinil.  No side effects.  Starting to get my energy back. 

[Joe S.]

Work as long as you can. I am glad that Plaq seems to help you. Try to find management strategies that work for you. Be kind to yourself as much as you can without hurting others.

[Scottietottie]

Hi Hopey 

Welcome to Sjogren's world. plaquenil is often the first drug prescribed. Personally - I've found it useful and it got my bloods reading pretty well normal again. Taper onto it and take it with food and I hope it helps.

Take care - Scottie 

[lynnmarie219]

Hi Hope,

It sounds like your rheumy has a good plan started for you.....taking the plaquenil and recommending a baseline eye exam which is also necessary when taking this med.

I have taken plaquenil for over 4 years now and feel that it has really helped me. I wish the same for you! Keep us posted on how you are doing!

[hopey]

Hi thanks for the input everyone, I have one more question my rheumy said to get my eye doc to do a red color test or something like that and my eye doc said he doesn't do that he just does pressure tests. Do I need to go to a certain kind of eye dr. to get the red test done?
Thanks
Hope

[lynnmarie219]

Are you referring to a Rose Bengal Test?

I pretty much thought any optometrist or at least an ophthalmologist could do this test...but you may have to ask him to refer you to someone who does if he doesn't.

[Patze]

Hi Hope,

I'm also glad to see that your doctor is on top of things, lucky you!

The test you're talking about does sound like the Rose Bengal test (some doctors use the Fluorescein staining instead).  The optometrist I was using didn't do it either and referred me to an opthamologist.

Good luck and I'll keep my fingers crossed that you find a good opthamologist.

Take care of yourself -

Patze