Has anyone experienced this with lupus?

I have been having some different sort of issues with my lupus and am wondering if anyone out there has experienced this. It started about two months ago when I got an irritated nail bed. It looked like it had some puss under my nail so i poked a hole to let it drain. Since then, the nail has come off and several other fingernails are getting yucky around my nail beds and on the ends. Noone, including my rheumatologist could get these fingers under control. The only way I could stand the pain was by wrapping them with lidocaine patches and medical tape. After the fingers got out of control, I began having a raw nose that keeps scabbing up. Again, noone was concerned. It wasnt until I went to my family doctor because i was totally feeling awful with a rapid heart rate and weakness that anyone began to care. I was hospitalized for a week to get my chemistry under control, I had several vitamin defficiencies and was dehydrated. My sed rate was higher than 140 and my compliment levels were a little low. I have seen a cardiologist who put me on a halter monitor for 24 hours and am waiting to go back on monday. In the meantime, I saw my old rheumatologist who told me my fingers were upset from Reynaud's disease and he has put me on five different new meds. I am taking Imuran, cellcept, prednisone, norvasc, baby aspirin, metanrx, effexor xr, prozac, trazadone, nexium, nitroglycerin cream on my fingers, persantine.  i just started the treatment for the  poor circulation and reynauds and am still waiting to hear about the rapid heart rate. Has anyone out there experienced such problems with reynauds and lupus and tachycardia with lupus and or poor circulation?

[BeanBandit]

I have had complication with low circulation as well although not to the extent you have had.... I also have had a rapid heart beat in fact i was in the er once for svt :(  
I was actually wondering if anyone with lupus has had trouble with neck swelling?  Its actually the muscles in the neck pushing the throat together..... and the upper chest..... just feels like the muscles are just hanging there.......nonetheless effects the cns as well..... its been 3 months now and still not any better...... my ana and sed rate are fine right now which doesnt make any sense :(

[geminigirl1963]

Reynauds is actually quite common with lupus, but it's good that you're getting everything checked out to make sure it isn't something more serious with your heart or lungs.

I hope you feel better soon!

[karajo]

WOW girly, a sed rate of 140!  I've never heard of it being that high.  That's a shame that they put you off like that.  I feel like that myself.  

I can't offer any input on your struggles.  But I'm glad your old rhemy is helping you!

God bless...

[BeanBandit]

I have had complication with low circulation as well although not to the extent you have had.... I also have had a rapid heart beat in fact i was in the er once for svt :(  
I was actually wondering if anyone with lupus has had trouble with neck swelling?  Its actually the muscles in the neck pushing the throat together..... and the upper chest..... just feels like the muscles are just hanging there.......nonetheless effects the cns as well..... its been 3 months now and still not any better...... my ana and sed rate are fine right now which doesnt make any sense :(

[karajo]

Hopefully they have ruled out hashimoto thyroiditis or graves disease.  Have they done a anti-thyroid test?  (sorry don't know the name of it)

[BeanBandit]

Who? Me? I don't even think they have thought of those yet so definitly not have outruled them .

[BeanBandit]

They have ruled out a bad thyroid though so that's fine :)

[karajo]

Look up Thyroidian.  Ask for her input.  She know a lot about that sort of stuff.  I'm thinking you can test OK in those and still have the antibody...but I'm not sure.