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Cathy- Don't know yet what we are having-- might find out later. I did find out after getting pregnant again (maybe around 8 wks) that my ANA was back to normal. That confuses me, but I read somewhere that maybe that is a result of being on the baby aspirin? I am hoping to get tested sometime again soon as I'm curious to know if it has changed again. From reading others stories, it seems like it does fluctuate for some reason. I am going to my OB on 11/18 and then hopefully to a perientologist by the end of the month for a second opinion/ confirmation of the treatment and tests I'm currently being given. Jenny- my OB told me (after consulting with a perientologist) that I should start taking the aspirin after I got a +preg test. I don't know why they didn't advise to take it before.

I just came across these threads and thought it might help some of you to read my story. I too have a positive ana (ususally 1:320 but have seen it go into the thousands (although I think my body was fighting off a virus or something during that test and thus there were alot of extra antibodies in my blood)). I have known about the ana for at least 4 years and after discovering it, I had many other blood tests done all of which were normal except for elevated IgM antibodies. Hopefully, you'll be glad to know, I went on to get pregnant without any miscarriages, I have 2 sons, one who is almost 3 and my other is 1 1/2 years and I am about 13 weeks pregnant now - last one! I am absolute proof that pos ana does not have to mean miscarriage. So far, I really do not have any signs of autoimmune disease although I watch for them all too carefully. I have not seen anything change after having my children other than what I would consider normal exhaustion during early pregnancy and postpartum. I hope that all of you concieve successfully and hope that my story inspires you somewhat to believe that even with a positive ana for unknown reason, you can have children. *I've also contacted people/scientists who've studied +ana(s) and elevated IgMs and they have told me that some people do fall outside of what the "normal" ranges have been determined to be and after years of follow up show no signs of disease. I try not to worry too much and find that the less I allow my drs to test me probe me, the more I can get on with my life normally. Hopefully that is the case for everyone here.

I just happen to stumble accross this thread and found so many similarities with my story...with my first pregnancy I had developed a really high fever for approximately two days, one week later went to visit my OB and had discovered that I had a missed miscarriage 1 week prior. Didn't think anything of it. A couple of months later I had gone in to see my regular doctor and had some lupus tests done because I was exhibiting some of the signs (rash, exhaustion, etc.) of lupus, which my mother has. Came back with a high ANA (1:640) but nothing else. Doctor didn't make a big deal of it so neither did I. Then I became pregnant again and had gone on to have a successful pregnancy (daughter just turned 3). My husband and I started ttc before she turned 2...it took us about a year before we concieved successfully. My pregnancy was going well until about 13.5 weeks, I developed an extremely high fever with chills but no other symptoms. Had the fever for two days before I started to miscarry at home and had to go to the hospital by ambulance. My OB was very confused and couldn't explain what happened to me. Because this was only my second miscarriage, he didn't feel any further testing was necessary...until he mention Lupus. I told him my mother had Lupus and that I had been tested which resulted in a pos. ANA. As soon as he heard this, he got the ball rolling. I have since seen a rhuematologist and am now scheduled to consult with a perinatologist prior to ttc again. I have spent a lot of time doing research about the connection between positive ANA and miscarriages and have found quite a bit. But I was wondering if anyone may have experienced similar symptoms prior to miscarriage? My doctors, at first, didn't feel there was a connection between the fevers and the miscarriages, but I truly feel it was as though my body was "rejecting" the pregnancy. Thanks for "listening", any info would be greatly appreciated!

hi stacie, really sorry to hear about your miscarriages. i also have a high ana 1:640 and undefined autoimmune symptoms. i felt great in the first days of pregnancy, but at 4 ½ weeks began to feel like i was fighting a virus. that night i saw my brother for the first time in months and he asked if i was feeling okay. he said i looked sick. i wasn’t but within two days, i had a minor rash on my chest, low-grade fever, joint pains, and a feeling that i can't really describe, something like being at war with myself, which really scared me. at 5 ½ weeks i suddenly lost my nausea. at the time, and even after we knew at 7 ½ weeks that i’d for sure miscarried, my dr said everyone feels hot in early pregnancy, that she didn't know about the rash or joint pains and maybe the weird feeling was just anxiety. i have always felt though, intuitively, that this was when things went wrong with my pregnancy. i also had an increase in autoimmune symptoms in the month after miscarriage but nothing besides ana in the bloodwork.

p.s. to shannon, i've been thinking about you and hope you're doing/feeling okay.

Anyone had a twin pregnancy recently? I am 6 weeks, and they just saw 2 sacs, only problem I am spotting and had 1 bleeding incident. For that reason my OB says NO to aspirin. This is my normal m/c time, twice before at 6 weeks,,,The perinatologist said ok to aspirin but on 0 data. Will I harm things if I am already bleeding by taking the baby aspirin? Sorry to hear of everyones losses! I am double triple praying this week I can hold these babies this time

Thanks Jenny, and I do want to add that I am truly sorry to hear of everyone's misfortune, but am greatful to have found people with similar stories. Before any mention of ANA by my OB/Gyn, I was told my miscarriages were merely "bad luck". And my regular PCP (who discovered the high ANA back in 2002) did not warn me of any connection or exactly what high ANA meant... I've learned more from reading everyones' stories than I have from visiting the doctors I trusted. I had a feeling something was going on with my pregnancy prior to actually getting sick, in fact I had called my doctor 2 or 3 times that week, before the miscarriage was obvious. Of course, when I called him he was not concerned, because my last visit was normal. That was the day we (including my daughter) first heard the heartbeat. Unfortunately, this has truly taught me to trust my instincts. I keep wondering, if I had been a little more aggressive with my complaints, or had insisted that he see me, if anything would have been different but I'll never really know. I'm praying for all of you, thank you for sharing your stories!!

kim, are you the one who posted earlier? congrats on the pregnancy--don't know about the aspirin, but wish you every bit of good luck. stacie, you shouldn't beat yourself up for not being more aggressive. as my husband points out, we know our bodies better than any dr does, but our drs aren't us, so it's hard for them to understand and trust our instincts! and we're unusual, exceptions in a recent and controversial area of research. not much research has been done on people with ana in pregnancy, let alone high ana with symptoms but no defined disease. i'm of the belief that all we can do is trust our instincts, take care of ourselves, and try to be heard. maybe then some researchers out there will study these issues in more depth--maybe in time for us, but if not, maybe for our daughters.

Jenny- Yes I am the one who posted a few weeks ago. I think I am going to at least take the baby aspirin til I can have a face to face appt. I am also on prog 2X daily as my prog was really low at 4 weeks but has tripled. I have history of high ANA (all other tests nrml) but noone wants to look at ana now that I am preg't. These are all Harvard doc's (OB, RE, & perinat) who just won't do unless pure data avail. My mom has lupus and we are alot alike...body type,achy, tired. Only cure: exercise and I am not allowed to do any since I am preg't and spotting. Nausea is bad as well as dizzyness, fatigue and GAS. Hope these are good signs for twins! My next u/s is in 1 week (7.5wks) aiming for 2 hb's!

kim, i'll hope the best for you too! one note: my rheumi and perinatologist both think i should have had autoimmune bloodwork done *during* my last pregnancy - ana to see if pregnancy was altering it, and other tests to see if they'd come up + during pregnancy. i don't know what their thinking was, but i've read elsewhere that sometimes certain clotting factors show up + in pregnancy - but not normally? anyway, good luck - and keep us posted! thanks to everyone who is pregnany for posting - your stories give us all hope!

Jenny- thanks! Where are your doctors? I just want to 'quote' their thoughts to my doc's and see what they say. I started back on the aspirin. HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE

kim, i'm not sure where my rheumi went to med school, but seem to recall their residency was at mayo. my ob went to usc, i think--something la area. hope that helps! good luck.

kim, iread your story and i would suggest demanding an ana test right away. my perinatologist said that with +ana history blood needs to be closely momitored the entire pregnancy especially in the first trimester. I think that whatever we can do to cover all basis we should push for....it can't hurt to get a blood test and at least you will know what is going on with the levels during early preg. good luck with the twins! hope your dr appt goes well

kim, been thinking of you. how was your ultrasound? i hope 2 hb's!!! what did your docs say about the ana testing?

Just a little more info.... I posted a while ago with my story.... for those of you who have had miscarriages and know of a positive ana (with no real diagnosis) there does seem to be an increase in miscarriages if you test positive for anticardiolipin antibodies which I was tested for by a very good rheumatologist before becoming pregnant. There is also a condition APS which supposedly women can have very mildly and not even know, I believe they can test for antiphospholipid antibodies for that one... both I believe are considered to possibly raise risk of miscarriage and can possibly be the reason for pos ana. Just thought I'd share what I've learned through all my testing and friends. You could always ask your doctor.

Jenny & Jamie, I just wanted to update...I still have not seen the doc, but did see twins and two heartbeats at 8 weeks. When I asked NP about testing ANA she said it would not make a difference. I am banking on prayer, progesterone, and baby aspirin to get me through this very long first trimester. As long as we make it to 2006 I venture to 2nd tri. Thanks for you advice and concern. Luck and prayers to all of us as we continue to try!!