Positive ANA

Sorry to hear that. Arthritis is a common symptom among persons with lupus and other conditions associated with a positive ANA, including Sjogren's syndrome and drug-induced lupus. The joint symptoms tend to affect multiple joints (more than 6), including small joints of the hand and wrist. They also tend to be symmetric, meaning pain and/or swelling is about the same on both sides of the body. Morning stiffness is common.

Chest pain or abdominal pain can represent "serositis," meaning an inflammation of the lining of the lung, heart or abdominal cavity. While infections and other conditions can cause serositis, it is a relatively common development in lupus.

Similarly, a seizure disorder and/or major psychiatric disease, including psychosis (which may include delusions and hallucinations) may be observed in lupus.

Have you had (or been told you have) any of the following:

• kidney disease (such as kidney failure, renal failure, renal insufficiency, protein in the urine)

• abnormal tendency to form blood clots, as in the legs or lungs

• more than one miscarriage

• anemia with red cell breakdown (also called hemolysis)

• low white blood cell counts

• low platelet counts?

Yes, I have been told of one or more of those problems.

No, I don't think I've had any of those.