Positive ANA anyone?

Ah the plot thickens! When I was first diagnosed with CIDP my ANA was negative although I had other autoimmune issues. Now my ANA is highly positive 1:2000 range. I also have raynauds and some joint pains, fatigue, etc. Lupus ( one cause of many that can cause positive ANA) can cause a peripheral neuropathy in itself or it can be simply an associated condition. People that get autoimmune stuff are at higher risk of getting other autoimmune stuff. There are other more specific antibody tests they can run to help sort things out. If you have not yet seen a rheumatologist , I recommend you do so. It is good to coordinate care. I know how scary all of this is especially as you are working toward a diagnosis just keep in mind that autoimmune conditions including CIDP are considered treatable and most patients are living their lives and doing well.

So glad they got your biopsy moved up! In answer to your question, the rhematologist feels I have Lupus or Mixed connective tissue disease or some overlap of the two. You have a great and positive attitude which will take you far as you go forward! With autoimmune disease everyone is unique so not uncommon to be “atypical” ( I prefer special !” ) –

I am so sorry for your suffering- if you are declining and getting worse I would get on the phone to see if they want to do a trial of ivig – It will not change results of biopsy or other tests so should not affect your diagnositic process-when I was first hosptalized it was friday pm on a holiday weekend but I got the treatment I needed. I am very concerned about your shortness of breath and chest symptoms and would get those checked out for sure- I would think that that alone might merit a visit to the doctor or emergency room to rule out pneumonia, pleurisy ( which can be autoimmune) or respiratory muscle weakness from neurologic cause- these can all be treated but if untreated can lead to a real emergency- do you have good support at home with family members and or friends?

Thanks for your reply- good luck and dont forget that you are the only one who can know what your own body feels like so don’t be afraid to trust your instincts and advocate for yourself- Nobody can do it better than you . Keeping a symptom diary can help too with possible triggers and things that make you feel worse or better- keep us posted and wishing you the best

bny806—hoping you get some answers soon. My diagnosis took a while too–and even at that it ended up as ” atypical cidp” because it doesn’t fit in to anything else exactly.
It’s just too bad they can’t at least get you started on ivig since it’s usually the first treatment anyway. Most of us on this board, with the many differential diagnosis….but we all have the same basic treatment options–ivig, PE, steroids, immunesuppressants, chemo.
In my case my emg/ncv was abnormal, my lumbar only slightly above normal, nerve biopsy showed inflammatory process, and an abnormal anti-body (vgkc) I don’t think any one of these individually would have given definite the “cidp” diagnosis…but rather the combination of everything together led to that diagnosis.
Hang in there and be persistant…..if things get worse rapidly you always have the option of going to the ER. Maybe then they would admit you and get the tests all done at once instead of doing one at a time and having to wait forever.
I remember that testing phase, it’s very stressful not knowing. My thoughts are with you 🙂

you may be better off seeing an immunologist he/she will run testing to determine if you have an immune mediated disesase with autoimmune disesae subclasses

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<p data-start=”0″ data-end=”150″>I can really relate to the mix of anxiety and relief you’re describing. Being in diagnostic limbo is exhausting, especially when things keep evolving.</p>
<p data-start=”152″ data-end=”633″>To your main question: yes, a positive ANA can show up in people with CIDP or other immune-mediated neuropathies, but it’s usually not specific. A high titer like 1:640 definitely tells doctors that <em data-start=”355″ data-end=”391″>something immune-related is active, but it doesn’t automatically point to one diagnosis. Homogeneous and speckled patterns are among the most common and often overlap with a wide range of autoimmune conditions, which is why they’re often considered “nonspecific” on their own.</p>
<p data-start=”635″ data-end=”1246″>In my case, I had a positive ANA (1:320) before my neuropathy diagnosis was finalized. It never turned into lupus or another defined connective tissue disease, but it <em data-start=”802″ data-end=”807″>did help frame my condition as immune-mediated rather than degenerative. That context mattered. My neurologist explained it like running multiple assays side by side no single result gives the full picture, but when you line them up systematically, patterns emerge. That actually reminded me of how labs use an experiment plate layout resource to organize complex data so trends are easier to see rather than relying on one isolated well.</p>
<p data-start=”1248″ data-end=”1607″>As for IVIG approval: sometimes a positive ANA <em data-start=”1295″ data-end=”1300″>can help insurance, especially if it supports an autoimmune narrative alongside EMG/NCS findings, CSF protein elevation, biopsies, or clinical progression. It’s rarely the deciding factor by itself, but it can strengthen the overall case. Insurance often wants “converging evidence,” not just one abnormal lab.</p>
<p data-start=”1609″ data-end=”1960″>Seeing a rheumatologist is a great next step not because this means you definitely have lupus or another systemic disease, but because ruling things in or out helps everyone move forward with more confidence. And I completely understand the relief you mentioned after the ALS scare. Once you’ve stared that down, everything else feels more manageable.</p>
<p data-start=”1962″ data-end=”2253″ data-is-last-node=”” data-is-only-node=””>You’re asking smart questions, advocating for yourself, and pushing things forward—and that really matters. I hope the biopsy and IVIG trial give you some clarity soon, and more importantly, some real symptom relief. You’re not alone in this, even though it can feel that way in the waiting.</p>

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<p data-start=”910″ data-end=”1212″>With patience and repetition, progress in run 3 becomes steady. Runs last longer, movement feels smoother, and confidence grows naturally. The game rewards those who remain attentive and disciplined. In the end, <strong data-start=”1126″ data-end=”1135″>Run 3 proves that focus is not just helpful—it is essential for long-term success.</p>