Hey Cristina.
Two things in relation to what's going on with you.
One, I have done a study on psoriasis and I have put together a feasible
Naturopathic protocol that not only compares to the newest treatment
with Stellara injections at a cost of $20,000.00 plus annually (very costly),
but is also much safer than "Biologics" (that's the class of drugs Stellara belongs to) which are still Immuno-suppressive, even if they are promoted as immuno-modulators.
I can send you my report if you're interested, in a pm.
It is all supported by existing research and published studies.
This will work well in conjunction with addressing the imbalances
and issues I had mentioned in my original post, to eliminate the root causes.
So please let me know if you did pursue anything.
This is delicate work and you will experience results, if you pay attention to detail and follow through.
Two, the nodule on your thyroid, should be further investigated if you have normal or elevated TSH levels, and normal seems to be the case here,
as you mentioned the lab work indicated normal thyroid function.
A very fine needle biopsy can be performed, fairly easily, to determine if it's benign (90-95%) or or malignant (5-10%).
Were there any details given to you after the ultrasound test?
Please send me a pm or post again soon.
Blessings!
Niko
well....not much of an update sadly. Other than I began to have severe scaley dandruff on my scalp, AGAIN! Which spread to my forehead. My lips are extremely dry and have been peeling and flaking for over a month,a nd now the palms of my hands are as well. I went to the dermatologist and was diagnosed with psoriasis.
Last month the chronic fatigue became worse. I woke up one day with what I thought was a swollen thyroid. The next day I had a pain at the base of my skull and the following day the back of my neck was hurting, and was filled with fluid. Lab work showed normal thyroid function as well as normal white and red cell counts. Howver, an ultrasound on my thyroid showed there is a nodule on my thyroid. But there has been no further testing etc.
Anyone have an idea of waht's going on?
Hi Cristina.
I'm no Lupus expert, however, I do know a bit.
The butterfly rash is in combination with your symptoms is NOT
enough to get diagnosed with lupus!
The diagnosis is very difficult.
Here's the diagnostic criteria (source: Medscape)
"1. Malar rash Fixed erythema, flat or raised, over the malar eminences, tending to spare the nasolabial folds
2. Discoid rash Erythematous raised patches with adherent keratotic scaling and follicular plugging (Atrophic scarring may occur in older lesions)
3. Photosensitivity Skin rash as a result of unusual reaction to sunlight, by patient history or physician observation
4. Oral ulcers Oral or nasopharyngeal ulceration, usually painless, observed by a physician
5. Arthritis Nonerosive arthritis involving ≥2 peripheral joints, characterized by tenderness, swelling, or effusion
6. Serositis (A) Pleuritis: Convincing history of pleuritic pain or rub heard by a physician or evidence of pleural effusion
or
(B) Pericarditis: Documented by ECG or rub or evidence of pericardial effusion
7. Renal disorder (A) Persistent proteinuria >0.5 g/d or >3+ if quantitation not performed
or
(B) Cellular casts: May be red blood cell, hemoglobin, granular, tubular, or mixed
8. Neurologic disorder (A) Seizures: In the absence of offending drugs or known metabolic derangements (eg, uremia, ketoacidosis, electrolyte imbalance)
or
(B) Psychosis: In the absence of offending drugs or known metabolic derangements (eg, uremia, ketoacidosis, electrolyte imbalance)
9. Hematologic disorder (A) Hemolytic anemia: With reticulocytosis
or
(B) Leukopenia: < 4000/mm3 total on ≥2 occasions
or
(C) Lymphopenia: < 1500/mm3 on ≥2 occasions
or
(D) Thrombocytopenia: < 100,000/mm3 in the absence of offending drugs
10. Immunologic disorder (A) Anti-DNA: Antibody to native DNA in abnormal titer
or
(B) Anti-Sm: Presence of antibody to Sm nuclear antigen
or
(C) Positive finding of antiphospholipid antibodies based on (1) an abnormal serum level of IgG or IgM anticardiolipin antibodies, (2) a positive test result for lupus anticoagulant using a standard method, or (3) a false-positive serologic test for syphilis known to be positive for at least 6 months and confirmed by Treponema pallidum immobilization or fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption tests
11. Antinuclear antibody An abnormal titer of antinuclear antibody by immunofluorescence or an equivalent assay at any point in time and in the absence of drugs known to be associated with drug-induced lupus syndrome.
SLE can be diagnosed if any 4 or more of the 11 criteria are present, serially or simultaneously, during any interval of observation."
Symptoms/Flares
Lupus episodes, or flares, are usually noted by a worsening of some of the following symptoms (source: medical news today)
Achy joints (arthralgia), arthritis, and swollen joints, especially in wrists, small joints of the hands, elbows, knees, and ankles
Swelling of the hands and feet due to kidney problems
Fever of more than 100 degrees F (38 degrees C)
Prolonged or extreme fatigue
Skin lesions or rashes, especially on the arms, hands, face, neck, or back
Butterfly-shaped rash (malar rash) across the cheeks and nose
Anemia (oxygen carrying deficiency of red blood cells)
Pain in the chest on deep breathing or shortness of breath
Sun or light sensitivity (photosensitivity)
Hair loss or alopecia
Abnormal blood clotting problems
Raynaud's phenomenon: fingers turn white and/or blue or red in the cold
Seizures
Mouth or nose ulcers
Weight loss or gain
Dry eyes
Easy bruising
Anxiety, depression, headaches, and memory loss.
As a believer in the "Impossible", having defied the odds
a few times in my own life, having seen and experienced
numerous so-called "miracles", I will take the liberty to state
that NOTHING is "incurable"!
So when you read or hear that there's no cure for a particular condition,
be it lupus or other so-called autoimmune diseases, this is only in strict medical terms.
So the more accurate way to express this would be "no medical cure".
Medical cure in itself is controversial, as when the treatment involves
drugs, there's not a single drug that has ever cured anything at all!
If it wasn't for the intelligent immune system's ability to take care of our bodies and fight off disease, just with prescribed medicine, we would be all dead, when faced with serious disease!
While the molecular approach to disease is important (this includes
natural remedies and supplements besides prescription drugs), since it may help biochemically or nutritionally to correct impairment or imbalances, it only constitutes a small part of the energy matrix,
meanwhile the larger part, necessary for return to complete balance and health,is usually ignored.
Your Thoughts (yes your Thoughts!), your Beliefs, your Mental Attitude,
your Emotions and your Spirit play a huge role, in your Health and in your Life in general.
Prayer and Meditation ( Talking to God & and Listening to God) are
wonderful empowering ways to help you rise well above the level of your symptoms and experience the Power of your Spirit (which in turn connects with the Power of the Creator)
Truly, if I had a sure way to convey this concept to you or anyone else
who is suffering from serious conditions, it would honestly bring amazing results, beyond most people's wildest expectations!
But I can't, as this requires YOUR leap of faith and direct active involvement, in addition to letting go of any limiting beliefs and doubt, in order for it to work.
My role in Healing, has always been one of Teaching and Facilitating,
understanding and respecting the fact that "Healing comes from Within".
I hope all this makes some sense and if you need details on anything I'm just a couple clicks away.
You're in my prayers as well. (Kimberly, is an Angel! isn't she?)
Many Blessings!
Niko
Niko, would know alot about lupus too. I would say that is a possibility. Have you had any blood work done. Lupus can cause many problems. Bloodwork is one of the first things they would do. It would be an ANA test. If that comes up positive with a 1:160 tither or higher then there is a highly possibility.
I wish I knew more. But I only did a bit of research on Lupus. There are many great resources if you google Lupus. Good luck and I am praying for you.
Kimberly
As an update:
I noticed I have a butterfly rash on my cheeks and also on my forehead. It does not itch but hasn't gone away for a month now. It's not dry or flaky. Just bright red and annoying. Wondering if this could be a sign of lupus or something else? Any thoughts?
Hi niko
I just looked those up and found it very interesting. I will definitely send you a message.
Thank you for your help!
Cristina
Hi niko
I just looked those up and found it very interesting. I will definitely send you a message.
Thank you for your help!
Cristina
Hi prissycrissy08.
Welcome to the forum.
I'm so sorry to read about all these health issues that you're having.
Look into the following for answers:
Leaky Gut Syndrome, Gut Dysbiosis, Candida, SCD (The Specific Carbohydrate Diet) and GAPS (Gut and Psychology Syndrome).
After you research all these, you may post again with your questions and comments, or you may send me a message directly.
Wish you well.
Niko