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Diagnosis Unknown?

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melissapooh

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 02 Nov 2003
Posts: 1
Location: commerce, ga
Diagnosis Unknown?
Posted: 11-02-03 15:54pm

Hello,
i am of course new to this forum and I have been reading a lot of messages that have been posted. So let me tell you what has been going on and see if anyone can give me some answers or feedback. I have noticed extreme fatique for a couple of months and then suddenly on oct 3rd,2003 I started running fevers up to 103. There were days of low grade fever and after 5 days of suffering from severe headache, muscle weakness and the unability to get out of bed on my own I went to the gp. He tells me I have upper respiratory infection and prescribes, antibotics, steriods, decongestant. After about 3 days I felt better and was able to move around better, but within 24hrs I was spiking fevers again. I called the gp and was told by his pa and nurse that I must have the flu and would have to ride it out. I missed a few more days of work and then went back to work. I was sent home after I started feeling bad again. I became very pale. After continuing to have problems with headaches, fevers, muscle weakness, lightheadedness, and extreme exhaustion, my husband took me to an er center for help. This is day 16 by now and the dr was puzzled. They did bloodwork, urine test, chest xrays. All came back normal except for my ana at 1:640 and the pattern of nucleolar. ( unsure of the meaning of the pattern). My ra was neg. And I found out that I had been exposed to west nile virus. The doctor ended up giving my information on lupus and saying that since all bloodwork was normal that I needed to see a rheumatologist. Well at that time of visiting the doctor for the results of the bloodwork I showed him some subcutaneous nodules in the legs on the inner thighs that were extremely painful and swollen. He put me on nsaids. With no relief in site after another week the doctor I work for ( dermatologist) sent me to a internist next door. Needless to say that dr ended up putting me in the hospital for more test. Ekg< chest xray, sinus xray, mri of the brain. The local rheumay dr came to see me and said that it was all viral. Then I had a neuro come in to see me and said I was still having migraines. Well I am at home now with the same problems. I am scared of not knowing what is going on and I am sure that I have more than 5 symptoms of the lupus. I have known for some time that my body was telling me something is wrong. I am suppose to see the internist in the morning and have another mri on thursday. I am not sure of what to do now. Any advise?
Thanks,
melissapooh
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LadyBrannon

Active User, Really EHEALTHy
Joined: 17 Jul 2003
Posts: 506
Location: TX

Posted: 11-02-03 18:28pm

1) welcome to the group!

2) sometimes with autoimmunes it can take a long time for a *real* diagnosis.

3) you *can* have a positive ana with a viral infection.

4) as you are seeing, a lot of lupus symptoms mimic more common illnesses. What do you have? Hang tight...It sounds like your doctors are really trying to get the correct answer. You might even find that they will run the tests *several* times. Each time, the results may vary.

5) you *always* have the option to get second opinions on everything, if you feel the need.

6) there are also other things besides lupus and mono that can cause a positive ana (crohn's, mctd, sjogren's. Etc.)

7) I would request a copy of *every* test they have run. Also keep a journal of your symptoms every day!

8] also, I know it is easier to say than to do, but no matter the issue, stressing is only going to make things worse. Try to deal with each symptom the best way you can!

Joint pain? Take a hot bath/hot tub, use a heating pad...

Fatigue? Take a nap. If your body asks for it, then it probably needs it.

Headache? Again, a hot bath/hot tub may help. A heating pad on the neck... Try to go to sleep...

Again, it sounds like your doctors are running a lot of tests...And it seems that they are really trying to get you some answers. Lupus is *not* easy to diagnose. Even after lupus was suspected...It took me over a year!!!! To get the lupus diagnosis!

Hang in there! Hope you feel better and get some answers soon!
Hugs,
ladybrannon
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