On an auto immune diseas is it a guessing game and how is it diagnosed?
81127
This may sound goofy, but you may want to rule out a dental infection/problem.  They can often cause body aches, lethargy, etc.  Be sure to see your dentist.
880472
Acquired Human Auto-Immune Deficiency Syndrome.\n\nBasically, it's a virus that hides from your body's immune system, and then kills your cells and turns them into "AIDS Factories."
644538
ANA Anti-nucleus antibodies) is a parameter for a group of Auto -antibodies that go against the cell core (nucleus) what results in the disturbances of the cell-functions. it is usually done when you (the doctor) suspects rheumatoid diseases, but there are usually more antibodies to be determined to tell what you are suffering from. \nA titer of the indirect Immunofluoroscence assay of 1:80 to 1:160 is considered positive. roughly sid the put your blood(serum) in a tube, added some auto-antibody-antibodies and looked for a reaction which shows itself in agglutination of the antibodies ( made visible with the before mentioned Fluorescence). \na positive result COULD mean systematic Lupus erythematodes, Lupus erythematodes of the skin, systematic sclerosis, Poly or Dermatomyositis, Sjoergen Syndrome, Myasthenia gravis, chronic-active Hepatitis, rheumatoid Arthritis and many other rheumatic Diseases. \n\nresults in this Assay vary strongly between laboratories, many healthy people especially over 60 years old show in up to 30% of the cases a titer in their blood without being sick. \ni hope i could help you to understand a little better. But understand that this parameter by itself is not strong enough of an indicator what is wrong and where your symptoms come from.
259668
I don't know if you been tested for lupus.Or if this is a self diagnoses. This is not a disease you should seek treatment for over the phone or advise really. You should seek an immunologist. I think this is a disease that there is only treatment no cure. How ever while your waiting to see an immunologist life style is important no alcohol or other vices. You need to eat right exercise and get plenty of sleep. The immune system is effected buy all this factor. Don't worry its not that bad. Your body should heel its self if you let it.
1149671
Do check out all the websites listed and keep looking, as it's not very common so it's hard to find information on it.\n\nDespite what you might read, it is it's own autoimmune disease, and it should not be confused for UCTD (Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease).  MCTD is diagnosed when there is a positive and high value for one specific blood test - the anti-RNP.  This should also be accompanied by a high positive ANA result as well - generally speckled pattern.  While some people with lupus have a positive anti-RNP, it is a diagnosing criteria for MCTD.\n\nMCTD can have symptoms of 3 other autoimmune diseases making it a good impersonator of the others and difficult to diagnose - Lupus, Scleroderma, and Polymiositis.  It is HIGHLY common (estimates I've read say about 95%) for MCTD diagnosed patients to develop Raynaud's Syndrome.  I developed it about 6 mo. after my initial diagnosis.  Also arthralgia or arthritis are very common, as with Lupus.\n\nAlso common with MCTD is esophogial issues (related to polymiositis) as well as pleuresy related to the lungs and fluid build up around the heart as well.\n\nIn general the life expectancy and overall symptoms of MCTD are similar to Lupus, but tend to be slightly better outcomes overall.\n\nFeel free to contact me if you have any more questions, as I have had to find all of this out on my own and have been educating my family and friends about this, Lupus, and other autoimmune disorders.  It was good because about a year ago, my aunt was diagnosed with RA and I was able to help out some in explaining a few things and being supportive.\n\nIf you or someone you know has been diagnosed with this, or the doctors believe you/they might have this, it's important to know that it's not worth being scared over.  It's manageable and treatable with medications and general observance.  Also I have found out that just knowing is far better than wondering.  While I still have some symptoms daily, my medications have made them unnoticeable to most people and I'm able to continue to do most of the things I've been doing.  And sometimes I honestly don't notice anything or much at all - you just get used to some of the little things and realize it's life as normal.  :)
339034
Consult a neurologist , it might be arthritis.
725866
You have an auto-immune disease. There are no remedies or cures for auto-immune diseases. You can just treat the symptoms. If you get proper treatment for the symptoms, you will be fine.\n\nYou need prescription medication to treat Hashimoto's. The brand name is synthroid.
632905
Yes - and no. Doctors even have a hard time understanding this disease and how it affects people. \n\nMy sister suffers from lupus. It is a disease that attacks the immune system, much like AIDS does. Only this disease tends to come and go. Sometimes, she is hospitalized for months, then later she doesnt see a doctor for a year. WEird, very hard on her mental health and her marrriage and her job. Was finally let go from a job she had for 17 years due to the time missed...terrible disease.
543146
Potentially yes, potentially no.\n\nYou would have to go and see a doctor to get tests run to get a proper diagnosis.
78055
1)  Be certain that it is an infection (i.e., viral or bacterial) rather allergies, hay fever or asthma.  A doctor could help you with this.\n2)  Be certain that you don't have a chronic underlying disease that is leaving you with a run down immune system.  A doctor can help you with this.  While unlikely, but if you are doing #3 and #4 and dont work with very young kids this is a good thing to get checked out.\n3)  Be certain you are getting sufficient rest.  If you don't feel well rested, it is time to work on the sleep issue.  (This can mean anyhing from setting aside more time for sleep to going to a sleep study center).\n4) Eat a balanced diet and get some exercise.\n5) Minimize activities that expose you to illness. This means: a) washing your hands frequently with soap and warm water -- long enough to sing the happy birthday song twice; b) avoiding touching you eyes, nose and mouth; c) minimize activities that expose you to lots of sick people (impossible if you work in health care, day care or K12).
904928
What the other answers fail to mention is that sometimes a doctor will diagnose allergy based on symptoms. \n\nFor instance, when my son was a baby, he suddenly broke out in hives. I took him to the doctor. The doctor asked what food I had recently given him. I told him that my son was just starting grains and had rye cake. He said without hesitation that my son was allergic to gluten. \n\nHe was absolutely right. Whenever my son gets even a small amount of gluten, the hives reoccur. \n\nSo, while tests may be done, they also may not be necessary, if you do some good detective work. Also, there are more and more alternative forms of allergy testing that are offered through other medical professionals -- but not doctors. I've had testing that was done by a naturopath, and which is common in Europe, but which is not done in North America. It was MUCH easier than the traditional "scratch" tests done here, and very accurate. I've also heard that new testing is available that uses accupuncture points (although not the needles). Based on what I have heard from people who have done this testing, it would be worth looking into, as opposed to the test from an allergist. While you might have to pay for it (because insurance wouldn't), it doesn't involve the discomfort of the scratch test.
578859
Althought many doctors are still skeptical and there is no definitive test, the symptoms and the fact that your doctor says its post viral indicate he may think it is Chronic Fatigue Syndrom, also known as ME (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis), PVFS (Post Viral Fatigue Syndrome) or CFIDS (Chronic Fatigue Imune Dysfunction Syndrome).  Go back to your doctor, get clarification, if this is what you have, you are lucky you got diagnosed early.  You will need to mainly do your own research and find a doctor who is sympathetic rather than skeptical.  You will have to learn to pace yourself and limit yourself to what you can do before you get tired.  There is still so much unknown about this.  Ihave had it at least 12 years, the last 8 so severely I am often bedbound, but was only diagnosed last year.  I have a friend who had it mild to moderately and has made a full recovery, though it took her four years.  If your doctor says rest, he aint kidding.  Ask him to refer you to a specialist in this condition, not just a neurologist.
1129255
There are many.  First I would write down when and what you are doing when this happens.  Arthritis, RSD, Hypocalcimeia,,, I have had the same thing and it took two years before the doctors could do tests and eliminate each.  Surgery and alot of work from myself keeping a daily notebook regarding my symptoms.  In the end I had all of the ones I mentioned.  You need a good doctor of immunology who can tests and find out exactly what needs to be done and find a course of treatment.
425615
cant be very specific about your problem, even though u hav tried to give as much information as possible.\nget your lymphatic system investigated and also consider something autoimmune.\nand this can also be due to a helminthic infestation.\nget this checked out by an internal med specialist.
155469
i had the disease too and i had the test. i dont know the medical explanation but the idea is that this test shows if the disease is now chronic or if u r completely recovered.
385509
It's uncharacteristic, but yes.\n\nWhen being diagnosed with disease, you are typically examined for a number of conditions that are common with the disease ('symptoms').  They are no indicator in and of themselves that you have the disease (only a medical test will confirm), but their presence increases the probability of a positive test.\n\nIf you suspect that you have contracted mononucleosis, you are best served by having a doctor run a test on you.  Attempting diagnosis by yourself does not sound wise nor prudent.  If you are experiencing some other disease, you may only be delaying proper treatment.
386205
Yes.  It is called a "working diagnosis."  \n\nIt's their educated best guess.