I have severe fatigue with positive ANA test and bumpy rash on abdomen. Please help.

Question

Hello doctor,

I started to become very fatigued. My doctor sent me for some lab work and my ANA tested positive when a high membrane pattern of 1:1280. I have pain in my hands and back of my legs and the fatigue has continued since then. I also developed a bumpy rash on my abdomen. I was put on an antibiotic recently for another matter and that finally seems to be subsiding a bit. She just did a retest and everything looks good other than it still shows my ANA positive and my membrane pattern being the high same value as before. I do not know what is going on. I have a natural feeling of just not feeling well. Please help. I am currently on Chlorthalidone, vitamin B12, vitamin D, vitamin C, women’s multivitamins, Doxycycline, and Prednisone.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Your test suggests that you are suffering from a connective tissue disease. The symptoms may be nonspecific like you have fatigue, arthritis, rash, dry eyes, and mouth. It is advisable to do an extractable nuclear antigen (ENA) to reveal which particular antibodies are positive. Also, as a baseline, this is treated with Hydroxychloroquine and Folic acid. In some cases, steroids /immunomodulators may also be required. So these will have to be discussed with your rheumatologist.

I hope this helps.