Lupus or not Lupus?

Hi! I am a 28 years woman. I have a medical history with the following diseases: Hashimoto Thyroiditis,Hypothyroidism, angiodema, osteopenia, osteosporosis, scoliosis, lordosis, degenerative disk disease (with an herniated disk at L5 S1) and allergy. I have been receiving treatment for my thyroid probles since 18 years ago. Recently, I am having heavy pain in my joints, hands, ankles, arms and in all my bones. That pain is differnt from a normal pain, because is very heavy and intense. The reumatolgist sent me t the laboratory for an ANA test. The first test performed had the follwowing result: ANA,  IFA Homogeneous Patter 1:80, the second one had the following: ANA, IFA Homogeneous Patter > 1:1280 abnormal. With the second result the doctor sent me to laboratory again for a Analizer Lupus Panel Test. The results are the following:

Complement Component C3   112.53
Complement Component C4   14.00
Antinuclear Antibodies   Positive, Pattern Nucleolar, Titer 1:40
Anti DA   Negative
Anti J01   5.90 Negative
Anti ENA Antibodies
   Anti SM AB (EIA) 5.50   Negative
   Anti SM/RNP AB (EIA)   6.70   Negative

Anti S Jgren's Antibodies  
   Anti RO SSA AB (EIA)   3.90  Negative
   ANTI LA SSA AB (EIA) 4.10   Negative
  
Anti Mitochondrial Antibodies   Negative
Anti Gastric Parietal Cell AB   Negative
Anti Smooth Muscle Antibodies   Negative
Scleroderma  70 (EIA)   4.80  Negative
Microsomal Antibodies (TPO) 627.90 Positive
Rheumatoid Factor- IgM (EIA) 4.7 Negative
Thyroglobulin Antibodies  >1000 Positive

In addition, a bone scan was performed and the results are:
1- Mild incresed radiotracer uptake in the left ankle and tarsal region of the right foot area suggestive of imflammatory changes could also be seen with trauma.

I want to know is I have Lupus or other autoinmmune disease in addition to Hashimioto Thyroiditis.

I will appreciate your help.

[LillyLugo]

I need help please.

[zmombomb]

It sounds to me like you may have some type of autoimmune disease flaring.  You may want to ask your doctor for a Prescription of prednisone.  Or Plaquenil.  

[zmombomb]

I looked up this Microsomal Antibody test on the net, and what is typed below is what I found pertaining to that:

What is the thyroid peroxidase test?

Thyroid peroxidase test is a test that measures the level of an antibody that is directed against thyroid peroxidase (TPO).

Autoantibodies to thyroid peroxidase (TPOAb) are produced within the body. The presence of TPOAb in the blood reflects a prior attack on the thyroid tissue by the body's immune system.


What does a positive thyroid peroxidase test mean?

Most people with chronic thyroiditis (70%-90%) display a positive TPO test. The test is also positive in lesser numbers of people with other thyroid diseases.


Other autoimmune disorders that may cause a positive TPOAb test include:


Sjögren's syndrome,


lupus,


rheumatoid arthritis, and


pernicious anemia.   (I have heard that being anemic will cause joint and bone pain)


About 3% of people with a positive TPOAb test show no evidence of disease.


The chance of having a positive TPOAb test is greater in females and increases with age.

What are other names for thyroid peroxidase test?

This test goes by a confusing number of names, including:

thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibody (TPOAb) test,


thyroid peroxidase autoantibody test,


antimicrosomal antibody test, and


antithyroid microsomal antibody test.

[LillyLugo]

I went to the reumatology doctor and he said the problem I have is relatiion with the Hashimoto Thyroiditis and that is why my ANA Tests results are high and positive. He prescribed me Cymbalta 30 mg. I had to take that medicine because I read in the internet about the secundary effects. Is there someone that has taken Cymbalta? How was the effects?

[LZFreedom]

Hi there! I didn't really understand your sentence about taking cymbalta for the secondary effects. Do you mean because the advertisements state that there may also be some relief of physical pain with the use of cymbalta? I believe it's in the ssri family of antidepressants. I've taken cymbalta, and it never worked for me, at all.
In fact, the withdrawals of quitting cymbalta were absolutely Severe! after only a low dose off and on. OMG! I got the creepy crawlies, restless leg symptoms, and Vertigo! And the dang stuff didn't work for me as an antidepressant at all! It's so dangerous with all these med's that are marketed without being studied for any lengthy period of time.

Anyway, I surely hope ZMomBomb's post helped with your lupus questions. You have an incredible medical history for only 28 years old. I developed discoid lupus as my bodies response to a rare lymphatic disease called histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis.
I have no family history of lupus either. A short term prednisone treatment and beginning plaquenil treatment got the skin lesions under control, well, except for on my face... real dose of humility there! But even with my 10 years of discoid lupus with the aching joints, periodic brain fog (lupus is really impacted by our hormones changing every two weeks) there are many more educated here regarding lupus and it's treatment. Please know that I wish you well! I used to take Neurontin, an anti-seizure med, as part of my pain program. It was one of the first med's to give me real nerve/back pain relief within 30 days of taking it; without side effects! I wonder if you can try something like that for some relief? Best Regards ~

[LillyLugo]

Hi LZFreedom! Thanks for your comment. When I mentioned the Cymbalta medicine, I wanted to say that I didn't take that medicine because I read in the newspaper about the secondary effects of this drug. Sorry there some gramatical error in that sentence. My English is not very well, because my first language is Spanish.

At this moment, I continue to be without any medicine to control my pain. My pain is heavy, specially at mornings and nights. I'm waiting for an appointment I have with other Reumathologist (second opinion) at the end of November of the current year. I will counsult him about Cymbalta. I think I will not take that drug. Also, soon I have an apponitment with the endocrinologist for my thyroid follow up.

The last reumatologist that attended me, said I couldn't take neurontin because my angiodema problem. My angiodema conditions is controled, since 10 years ago I don't have a crisis, but I have to be aware to prevent a crisis.  He also said that my pain is related to my thyroid problem that is causing me idiopathic peripheral neuropathy and that is why he prescribed me Cymbalta.

I hope you get well soon too. Best regards!!! :)

[LillyLugo]

Hi:

This week, I went to other reumathologist for a second medical opinion and he said I have SLE (Sistemic Lupus Eritematosus). He take under consideration than I had a high ANA test result (>1:1280 abnormal) and my symptoms of: heavy joint pain, the pain increase when I am exposed to sun, fatigue, and others. He said since my firts ANA test there was a sign I have lupus. Now, I am taking Limbrel 500 mg every 12 hours. Than is a natural medicine with no side effect. My pain decreased in intensity, but I continue having pain.

In other side, I continue to be very confused I want to know if I really have lupus, because there are some doctors that said I don't have it and other said yes. The last one said I have lupus in low intensity.

Best regards!!!

[LZFreedom]

You didn't say if they started you on plaquenil or not?
My bones have been aching for a couple of weeks now ~ but we're just now starting to get in to colder temperatures here in the NW.
The doctors said I had SLE too, then 5 yrs ago said no. But I definitely have discoid lupus. Dang, the lesions on my jaw line are even hurting the last couple of weeks ~ and I mean painful. It feels like the nerve endings are exposed.
Just wanted to check in ~ Take care sweetie!

[LillyLugo]

Hi LZFreedom,

The Rheumatologist refered me to an oftalmologyst to check if I can use Plaquenil. At this moment, I am taking Limbrel 500mg, but my pain is very bad, especially at nights and mornings. Last Thursday, I went to my Endocrinologyst and he said I have Lupus, but at this moment is not active. He said I must go to another Rheumathologist for a third opinion to consult my case and determine if is necessary to start a treatment to prevent future organ damages.