How long befor comfirmed?

Help I have all the symptoms and still no diagnosis, I am really at my wits end.. I am a mother of 3 great kids and fear for them every day  with no answers... I am afraid that I am dying and no one will catch it before it is to late.... Please I am not crazy. any help?

[karajo]

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)
2. discoid rash, red raised patches
3. photosensitivity - reaction to sunlight, resulting in skin rash
4. oral and nose ulcers
5. arthritis
6. serositis - inflamation (inflammation) 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 countor 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:
hair falling out
fatigue
muscle pain and weakness
dizziness
poor memory
headaches
tingling in extremities
diarrhea
bloating
weight loss
abdominal pain
blurred vision
depression
palpitations
raynauds (where fingers turn white when cold)
intollerance to cold
sore throat
...to name a few

Keep in mind that fibromyalgia, CFS, MS and lymes disease also have similar symptoms.  

[TrudieC]

As you saw on the autoimmune forum, many of us go through a frustrating time getting diagnosed.  Keep going back to your rheumatologist and insist on regular blood testing until they get somewhere.  

[azentz]

thank you, and I will do so.. this web site is a gift from god....