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Could this be Lupus or another disease?

Answered by

Kevin Pho, MD - Internal Medicine

Kevin Pho, MD Boston - MA

This forum is for questions and support regarding arthritis issues such as: Arthritis, Autoimmune Disease, Bursitis, Fibromyalgia, Gout, Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus, Myositis, Neuralgia, Osteoarthritis, Polymyalgia Rheumatica, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Sciatica, Tendinitis, Vasculitis.

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MedHelp Member's Question

Could this be Lupus or another disease?

by Duchess47, Aug 21, 2005 12:00AM

Tags: lupus, Arthritis, Heart, sjogren's, test, years

I am a 48 y.o. female, don't smoke or drink not overweight. I have high cholesteral for which I take Lipitor. I am also hyperthyroid and have been controlled by meds. for this for 3 1/2 years. 6-7 months ago I started having fast resting h.r. and my doctor felt my pulse in his put me on 50mg Atenelol and sent me for a stress echo. Stress echo revealed h.r. went up high and fast. Doctor says stay on atenenlol and maybe increase dosage.. My h.r. went to 170 in 6 minutes and I was winded. According to my endocrinologist, since my thyroid is under control, none of these symptoms should be from that. Since then, I have had a slew of symptoms. Fevers come on and last for different periods of time for no reason. Sometimes while sitting perfectly still, my h.r. just goes way up. I have had 2 different heart monitors but revealed nothing abnormal. I have the feeling of mucous or something in my throat making it hard for me to swallow and to swallow food. I have had an eye inflammation requiring 4 weeks of steroids (doctor not sure what it is). I have intermittant chest pain but chest ctscan was normal. Can any of these symptoms be Lupus or another disease that is actually causing these problems? I've been told heart is healthy. Also, heat intolerance is a problem. Thank you

Doctor's Answer

by Kevin Pho, MD

, Aug 22, 2005 12:00AM

I am not aware of tachycardia being a manifestation of lupus.

Further evaluation can be considered with an echocardiogram, which can evaluate the structure of the heart.  A stress test can also be considered to evaluate for any coronary artery disease.

If further evaluation is needed for lupus, one can consider a blood count, rheumatoid factor, and an antinuclear antibody test for further evaluation.

If the tests continue to be non-revealing, anxiety can certainly lead to the symptoms and appropriate treatment can be started.

These options can be discussed with your personal physician.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.

http://www.straightfromthedoc.com

Member Comments

by Duchess47, Aug 27, 2005 12:00AM

To: kevin, M.D.

My pulmonologist has suggested these symptoms may be from my thyroid meds. Specifically Methimazole. Have you any information on this and possible vasculitis. What is the treatment for vasculitis?

by AnnelieseR, Sep 11, 2005 12:00AM

Hi, I can sympothize with your frustration on getting diagnosed. I keep breaking out with a rash that is painful across the bridge of my nose. My joints are so painful now. I basically decided I have Lupus or some autoimmuine process. I use the internet for help. Medhelp is great resourse. I know my plan is to keep going back to my healthcare provider weekly til she gets me diagnosed. Just don't give up.. Best of luck.

by Treecie, Sep 20, 2005 12:00AM

I am a 31 y/o female who was diagnosed with sjogren's syndrome which is a cousin to lupus (which my Dr. suspects I have lupus too). The symptoms you mentioned about the mucousy substance, and having difficulty of swallowing sound like symptoms of sjogren's. Sjogren's is an autoimmune disease/connective tissue disease like rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus. Do you have problems with dry eyes, fatigue, or joint pain? You may want to be tested for this. You should also suggest having an ANA (anti-nuclear antibody) test done. That should shed some light on your situation as well. I went about 2 years not knowing what was wrong with me, and my Dr. under testing me. The frustration can be overwhelming! You can also look up sjogren's syndrome and check out the symptoms, and see if you have any of them. Good luck with your health!

by better by spring, Jan 21, 2006 12:00AM

It is very difficult to get a diagnois for you type of inness. My daughter became ill with symptoms like yourd when she was 15 years old. She is now 35. She has finally found a rheumatologist who has diagnosed her with Mixed Connective Tissue Disease and started her on a medication called Quinacrine. No one else in the field of rheumatology ever was willing to do one thing for her. She has been gravely ill for 20 years, with no help from the medical community. Now with her new medicine she is improving. Her new MD was trained on the West Coast. Her previous MDs were all trained in Georgia. Her new MD does not understand why treatment was never started for her. I believe that even though test results are not as definitive for autimmune disease as some MDs would like, they need to wake up and start treating their very ill patients with the available drugs that do not have damaging side effects. These drugs can be carefully monitored and may restore a patient's ability to function! My daughter was home bound for twenty years and she did not need to be.

Sincerely,

Better By Spring

by Duchess47, Feb 03, 2006 12:00AM

Thank you to all who replied. My heart goes out to you all as I understand what you are going through. Since my post I have been diagnosed with mild Osteoporosis and Gastroparesis. The Gastroparesis may be a symptom of something else such as Scleroderma or other connective tissue disease. It does seem like a never ending battle doesn't it. I feel like I can't get one issue under control befor a new one develops!! Hang in there.

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