u/EngineerBeginning853

32M, trying to understand some recent abnormal autoimmune labs and joint symptoms.
Timeline: In Feb 2026, during Army training, I had feverish symptoms, body aches and severe sore throat and tested positive for Group C strep. I was given amoxicillin but stopped early because of severe bloating. My throat symptoms persisted/recurred. On April 29, I went to the ER and was again diagnosed with strep and given another antibiotic, which I also didn’t complete fully.
About 1–2 weeks after the strep infection, I developed progressive stiffness/aches in my fingers, elbows and other joints, especially morning finger stiffness. I’ve never had visible joint swelling, redness or warmth. Symptoms fluctuated and improved dramatically with prednisone 15 mg for 2 weeks. Some mild stiffness returned after stopping.
I currently run 1.5–3+ miles, train college soccer, sprint and lift weights without joint pain/discomfort. I’ve also had some knee popping with minimal discomfort.
I briefly had a smooth red spot on my neck/chest that lasted only ~2 days, wasn’t itchy/painful, and completely disappeared. I’m not sure it was autoimmune. My fingers sometimes become pale/white in the cold, possibly Raynaud’s.
Labs
Positive:
ANA ≥1:1280, speckled
RF 75
Sm/RNP >8.0
Negative/normal:
dsDNA 1
CCP <16
C3 121
C4 17
SSA/SSB negative
Scl-70 negative
Centromere B negative
ESR 11
CRP <3
Creatinine 0.96 / eGFR 108
CBC essentially normal
Hep B and Lyme negative
No kidney problems or other known organ involvement.
The first rheumatologist I saw had never seen me before and mainly reviewed my bloodwork, didn’t really examine my joints, and told me I have lupus. He prescribed Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine) and prednisone.
Another rheumatologist was more cautious and said she wouldn’t diagnose lupus with 100% certainty and that UCTD is possible.
I’m especially wondering about the post-streptococcal possibility because my joint symptoms started only ~1–2 weeks after recurrent/incompletely treated Group C strep.
Could this be UCTD, early/mild lupus, MCTD/RNP-related disease, post-streptococcal/post-infectious arthritis, or something else entirely?
I’m not asking anyone to diagnose me—just curious how others would interpret this combination of strong antibodies but relatively few clinical symptoms, especially with the strep timeline.

High ANA + Sm/RNP, but very few symptoms — lupus, UCTD, or post-strep?

UPDATE: MY ANTI CCP CAME BACK NEGATIVE.

32M – Morning finger/wrist stiffness after Army training + strep. Rheumatoid arthritis, post-strep issue, overuse, or something else? (Labs included)
Hi everyone,
I’m a 32-year-old male looking for some opinions while I continue working with my doctor. I know no one here can diagnose me, but I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who’s been through something similar.
Timeline:
I was in Army training from November through April. It involved a lot of physical stress: countless push-ups, carrying heavy equipment, repetitive use of my hands and wrists, poor sleep, and spending long periods outside in freezing winter conditions.
I finished training in April.
At the beginning of May, I was diagnosed with strep throat. Looking back, I don’t think it was treated very well, and I’ve wondered whether that could have triggered something.
Around the end of training and after the strep infection, I started developing joint symptoms that haven’t completely gone away.
Symptoms:
Pain and stiffness in both fingers and wrists, especially when I wake up.
My hands feel stiff in the morning, and making a tight fist can be uncomfortable.
The stiffness gradually improves over the morning and is much better for the rest of the day, although it doesn’t completely disappear.
My elbows sometimes ache as well.
My knees have recently started popping. Most of the time they don’t hurt, although I occasionally have mild discomfort after running or playing soccer.
I don’t have swelling, redness, warmth, fever, weight loss, or trouble using my hands.
I can still run, play soccer, lift things, and do my normal daily activities.
Blood work so far:
Rheumatoid factor: 75 IU/mL (elevated)
ANA: Negative
ANA titer: 1:1280
The rest of my blood work has been normal so far.
I’m still waiting on my anti-CCP antibody result.
(I realize the ANA results sound confusing, but that’s exactly what my lab report showed.)
The thing that’s really bothering me is the uncertainty. I’m scared this means I have rheumatoid arthritis or another lifelong autoimmune disease. At the same time, I’ve read that infections like strep, intense physical stress, and repetitive overuse can sometimes cause joint problems too.
Has anyone experienced something similar after military training or a strep infection? Did it end up being rheumatoid arthritis, post-streptococcal arthritis, reactive arthritis, tendon issues, or something else? If your anti-CCP ended up being negative, what was your final diagnosis?
I know nobody can diagnose me over Reddit. I’m just feeling anxious because I’m only 32, and I’m hoping this isn’t something permanent.
Thanks for reading.

High ANA + Sm/RNP, but very few symptoms — lupus diagnosis and UCTD diagnosis

32M – Morning finger/wrist stiffness after Army training + strep. Rheumatoid arthritis, post-strep issue, overuse, or something else?