I am not discouraged that I don't have Lupus. I have no idea what I have. What I do know is I have had severe physical symptoms and issues for years now and I am physically, mentally and emotionally wore slick. If it were not for my kids I would have said F It and I would take myself out of this misery. I truly get to feeling so bad, have so many gnarly symptoms sometimes I feel so bad I don't want to live but I don't want to die either. Sometimes I don't care if I wake up tomorrow.
I really try hard to keep busy and communicate with several people that cheer me up and it helps.

The ANA is only about 95% accurate. And, not only that there are healthy people who will never have an autoimmune disease that also test positive for ANA. But, with Lupus there is a 5% chance you can test negative and still have a severe case of it. That is why the American college of Rheumatology has an 11 part criteria. The ANA is only one of them. But, if you have ever experienced 4 out of the 11 the likelihood of you having Lupus is high. The symptoms don't have to be concurrent either, nor do they all have to be present all at once.

Those drugs are the drugs I respond too. When you and your doc settle on what works for you you are ahead of the game you will play for the rest of your life. Lupus becomes a way of life.

I have tested negative for antibodies and negative ANA as well. My rheumatologist still started my treatment. It took 3 years to find someone to help me. I had severe fatigue. By 1pm everyday I felt like I couldn’t go on. I was having 2-3 days of high fevers every week for months. If i go in the sun, I’m really sick by evening. My scalp had sores with hair loss. I had nasal and oral ulcers. My left knee and ankles were painful and swollen. I’ve been on treatment for 3 months now and haven’t had a fever in about a month. Sores have all healed. He started me on Imuran, Plaquenil and prednisone. Just keep seeking out help! Don’t give up!!!!

I believe you can. A doc told me it can show up or "disappear" while still there.