Autoimmune? What do you think?

[AnnaBanana85]

I am a 23 year old female.  I recently had a blood test and my sed-rate is high and my c-reactive protein is high.  My blood test also indicated that I am anemic.  

I have swelling in my hands and joint stiffness.  I also have hives - the majority on my back and chest. In addition I have been experiencing intermittent joint pain and swelling.  

I am not sure if this is related but I also have been having chest pain- particularly when I take a deep breath.  I have asthma - so perhaps it is unrelated.  My EKG's  have shown  that I have a short p-r.

My doctor is still investigating and is running some more tests. But he seems to think it is auoimmune.  I am I am curious if anyone has experienced or knows about these symptoms…  Please let me know what you think!

[spastic]

Hi there, have they checked into the possibility of Adult Onset Stills Disease?  Are you having any fevers?  Have the Dr's documented the rashes and swellings?  In Stills, you get rashes, have high sed rates, pain, swelling, and just the feeling of being un-well.  

I have a ton of info about Stills in my journel here, you can take a look at it, I have a pix of the rash I get with it but the ones I get on my back and chest look like I was bitten by a ton of bugs, all welty and burning.  Dont laugh, but I put Preparation H on the rash and it helps the burn a lot and brings down the swelling.

If you have any questions about Stills, just msg me anytime.  It is a long process sorting out all the autoimmune processes, hang in there, Sweetie...

Many Hugs,

Ada aka Spastic

[kate1975]

Hey you are not alone in this thats for sure! I too have an elevated sedrate ( 79) High c- reactive protien and I also am anemic. I am 33 and have had a long battle with this stuff. So far, my doc has dx me with Rheumatoid Arthritus.  He said that he believes I have some other things going on, but with the Auto immune system its a long haul.

Good luck.
Katie

[txsilver]

I am glad you found us.  Yes, many of us have had similar symptoms but, with over 100 types of arthritis, there are a lot of similarities between the varieties.  I agree with your doctor that it does sound like it is autoimmune and am glad he is running more tests.  If your doctor is not a rheumatologist, he should refer you to one.  They specialize in autoimmune diseases.  I highly recommend you see one because autoimmunes can be hard to diagnose (and sometimes you have more than one) so a specialist is important.

It is key to list all symptoms, even the ones you do not think are related, like you did above but maybe you have even more.  I also recommend you start a journal in which you can document specifics about your symptoms and especially pain.  What kind of pain is it, where is it located, how bad is it, how long does it last, does it get better or worse with activity, does anything help it and what makes it worse.  If your eyes are red and dry, write it down, if you have trouble thinking or speaking, write it down.  You get the picture.  All of this info will help the doctor.

We are here to support you as you go through this.  If there is anything we can do to help or if you have questions please post.