Should I be worried about SLE?

[32yroldmom]

I've had a rash on my face for 4 years now, (nothing over-counter gets rid of it), and it is on my cheeks, & not butterfly-shaped nor on my nose, & I've have photosensitivity to the sun for 7 yrs.  This last year the cartilage between my ribs under my breast has been inflamed.  It gets a bit painful sometimes.  Doc said don't worry, take ibuprofin.  It seems like every day, I find I'm allergic to something else.  My body seems to develop a rash with just about any antibiotic (Cipro/Clindamycin) I take, & I'm fully allergic to penicillin & sulfa.  I have achy joints, especially if it's damp outside, and my hands always cramp up/ache if I work with them even a short time.  I noticed on my 4 yr old, also has had for about 1-2 yrs. a non-itchy rash on his face, (not butterfly-shaped).  His doctor didn't know what it was.  I went in and had some deeper chest pains checked out 3 years ago, but they wrote it off to stress, no heart disease.  Someone we know had a wife that died from SLE, and he said she would get a rash from the sun.  Therefore, I am concerned I may have SLE, and that if I do then I may have given it to my son while pregnant with him.  Should I be worried?

[Kevin Pho, MD]

Without seeing the rash, it is difficult to say over the internet.  I certainly think that if SLE or any other rheumatological disorder is suspected, then further tests are warranted to evaluate this.  This would include the following tests:

Complete blood count and differential
Serum creatinine
Serum albumin
Serologic test for syphilis
Urinalysis
24 hour urine collection for calculation of creatinine clearance
and quantitation of proteinuria

Autoantibody testing is also indicated. Those that are routinely assayed are:
Antinuclear antibodies (ANA)
Antiphospholipid antibodies
Antibodies to double stranded DNA
Anti Smith (Sm) antibodies

You may want to discuss these tests with your personal physician or rheumatologist.

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.

Thanks,
Kevin, M.D.

Bibliography:
Schur.  Diagnosis and differential diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus in adults.  UptoDate, 2004.

[32yroldmom]

Also, I should note that while pregnant with 4 yr old, I had miscarriage of his twin.  I don't know if this is related to SLE, but also I take Bendryl every night to help me breathe easier, because my sinuses are usually swollen and the Bendryl makes them open up.