Any ideas of what might be wrong?

[xzombylvrx]

About three years ago I went to the hospital because my legs were hurting really bad. They weren't injured then or previously. They did a blood test that showed an elevated sed rate. That was the only thing that showed up on numerous tests i've had done. After six months of constant tests for lupus, lyme disease,  and thyroid problems I was told it was fibromyalgia. It's been three years and things have continuely gotten worse, but I can't afford to see a specialists at all. I now have rapid heart rate, high blood pressure, low-grade fever constantly, small traces of blood in my urine, fatigue, acid reflux constantly (not sure if it has anything to do with the rest), constipation off and on, and in the past two weeks my face appears and feels like it's sunburned when its not. I'm not sure if all of these are caused from the same problem, but I felt I should atleast tell you everything. Any ideas of what might be wrong?

[karajo]

So sorry it has taken me so long to respond.  Busy Spring w/ baseball and garden.

I just remember how it was being sooooo sick and not having the energy to relate to drs.  

I have tremendous problems w/ acid reflux.  I have a chronic dry cough and get choked very easily.  I won't go into the gorry details, but it's gotten really bad.  I'm on Nexium 2xs/daily but it is not working very well.  I'm constantly trying things to calm it all down.  

Here is an overview of lupus symptoms:
There are 11 criteria for a lupus dx.  You must have at least 4 of the 11 to recieve a dx.

They are:
1. malar rash over cheeks (butterfly rash) (74%)
2. discoid rash, red raised patches
3. photosensitivity - reaction to sunlight, resulting in skin rash (50%)
4. oral and nose ulcers
5. arthritis (95%)
6. serositis - inflamation of the lining of the lung or heart
7. reanl disorder - excessive protein in urine and/or cellular casts
8. neurologic disorder - seizures, or psychosis
9. anemia or low white blood count or lymphopenia or low platelet count
10. positive ANA
11. positive anti-DNA or anti-Sm, or antiphospholipid antibody or false pos. syphilis test

Other symptoms are:
fever (90-95%)
abdominal pain
chest pain
shortness of breath
blood in urine
hair falling out (27%)
fatigue (90%)
muscle pain and weakness (90%)
dizziness
poor memory
headaches
poor circulation in fingers and toes
tingling in extremities
diarrhea
bloating
nausea
weight loss
blurred vision
depression
palpitations
raynauds (where fingers turn white when cold)
intollerance to cold
sore throat
lymph node swelling (50%)
...to name a few


Does any of the 11 sound familar to you?

[xzombylvrx]

Thank you for responding :)

I'm doing everything I can to try and get into a different doctor and get insurance, so I can get more testing done. Currently it's too expensive to get blood work done so I just have to wait a lil while. When all of this started 3 years ago I didn't have a low grade fever, high blood pressure, rapid heart rate or blood in my urin. I didn't think it was Lupus at first, but after things continuely getting worse and symptoms pointing in that direction I am positive I atleast need to be checked for other illnesses besides just fibromyalgia. I actually don't have dry itchy skin at all. I'm part hispanic (I really am even though you can't tell lol), and I have extremely oily skin. I spend no time in the sun so I'm glad you told me that for future testing for an elevated ANA.

Thanks again for responding! I really appreciate the input, it's very helpful. I hope you are doing well and are getting the help you need :)

[karajo]

I'm so sorry to hear about what you are going through.  

One thought I had was Sjogren's.  It can cause severe acid reflux, along w/ dry skin, eyes and hair.  Does that apply to you?  Joint pain also goes w/ that too.  Sjogren's can present w/ elevated ANA, stiffness, aching and elevated sed rate.

But some of your symptoms sound like it could be lupus.  But Sjogren's can occur along w/ lupus.  The blood in your urine makes me lean more toward lupus.

Would you be able to have them redo the ANA test?  If so, be sure and spend time in the sun prior to your ANA test.