For the last 6 years I have had these
reacurring symptoms:
low grade fever (100 or below), achy
joints (all joints), sore muscles.
Almost flu like symptoms. These symptoms
last for about 3-4 days then all is
normal. This is usually every month. I
have not done anything about it because
the symptoms are not severe, just enough
to make me feel yucky but not totally stop
me. Well, the last two times that this
has accured my glands in my neck became
tender and swollen. To the point that it
hurt to move my head. That concerned me
enough so I went to see my Dr. She said
that it sounded like an autoimmune
dissorder, particularly like lupus. She
wanted to run some test on me. In the
past I did have a high sed rate. This
time my sed rate was normal and my cbc was
normal, but I did have a positive ana
1:80. I am scheduled to go see a
specialtist next week for further testing.
Also, about 7 years ago, a little before
these symptoms started, my husband and I
started trying for our 3rd child. In a 2
year span, we had 6 miscarriages (one time
there were twins). I was just wondering
if this at all sounds like it could be
lupus? I feel great today so it's hard
to think that there is anything wrong.
But, when I do get my flare up of what
ever it is, I feel yucky. Like I said
before kind of like the flu. Does anyone
have any ideas or advice? Kind of
scared. I am young, (34 I think that is
young), I have 2 beautiful kids (one 11
and one 14- 14 year old has special
needs). Just want to know something.
And now I guess I am scared because I just
blew this off for so long. Thank you for
any help or suggestions.
Karen
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BabyWheat
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 05 Nov 2004 Posts: 4 Location: Arizona
Re: Lupus Posted: 11-05-04 16:31pm
Hi karen! It sounds really close to
lupus. Have you checked the criteria to
see if you have it or not? I think there
are 11 things to check for lupus and if
you have 4 or more it's more than likely
you do. But definitely check with your
doctor and get all the bloodwork you can.
I have been having positive ana results
and positive asma results, but still they
aren't real sure with me if I definitely
have it. I've been diagnosed with
fibromyalgia for right now. You will
find that lupus tends to "mimic" other
autoimmune diseases and fibro is close to
that.
Make sure you tell your doc all the
symptoms that you have been having, and
ask tons of questions. Good luck and try
not to stress too much. I know it's
scary when you don't feel right and you
don't have all the answers. But
eventually there will be an answer for
you.
Lots of hugs! Em :d
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luv2run
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 05 Nov 2004 Posts: 2
Posted: 11-06-04 09:45am
Thanks so much for your reply. I will
ask my Dr. Lots of questions. Like I
said before, we go next week. I am so
unknowledgable about all of this
autoimmune disease stuff. Is
fibromyalgia an autoimmune disease? So
what exactly have you been diagnosed with?
What are your symptoms?
God bless,
karen
|
BabyWheat
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 05 Nov 2004 Posts: 4 Location: Arizona
Fibromyalgia Posted: 11-08-04 14:34pm
Hi karen! It is not an autoimmune
disease, just a condition (which I don't
believe I have!) of a lot of aches and
pains.
From my regular doc, she was the one who
pointed out the malar rash on my face.
Went to this rheumy (and I am changing
next year believe me!) and I told his
assistant the following: I get flu-like
symptoms every month, sometimes for a
whole month and I get a couple days of a
reprieve; nausea, headaches, hair loss,
joint pain, achy all over, lots of
fatigue, brain fog. Got tested three
times and all three times the ana came
back positive. At that time, he was
strongly suspicious of lupus. Did more
tests, everything else normal except ana.
Then gastroenterologist took 11 vials of
blood, everything was ok except anti
smooth muscle antibody; that came back
positive. Had a liver biopsy, and that
showed that I had a fatty liver, nothing
else. Went back to rheumy, and now he is
going towards fibro "for now". What the
hell?!?!?! I am so upset. It's like
"well, i'm frustrated I can't figure this
out so i'll just label it fibro." I don't
get it. It's really important that your
doctor listens to you, unlike mine!!!!
Oh! Get this!! I told him about my one
cousin, who was diagnosed with lupus. I
told him about my other cousin who said
that I should see an endocrinologist for
thyroid, as that could be the problem as
well, but I told the rheumy that she
didn't test positive for ana. He says,
"well then she doesn't have lupus."
hello?!?!?!? I tested positive but I
don't have it either?!?!
