Please Help! Is this lupus?

Im a 22 year old female that is sick everyday! i have a constant low grade fever, joint pains and muscle pains that make me cry from the pain, and sometimes joint swelling, a constant headache, fatigue, a butterfly rash across my eyes and bridge of my nose, rashes on my arms and chest, chest pain when breathing (i am asthmatic but this doesnt feel like asthma) and an ANA of 1:40. ive had hair loss in the past (and i mean i had large bald spots) but thankfully that has stopped. please somebodyyyyyyyy! my family believe it is lupus but my doc isnt sure and i cant get in with a rhumatologist till nov 12...

[geminigirl1963]

Your symptoms defnitely sound like lupus.  I'm sorry you can't get in to see a rheumatologist until the middle of November - they are often quite difficult to get into quickly as a new patient.  Fortunately, however, once you're an established patient with them, it's usually easier, especially if you're having a particularly rough time.

When I have a bad flare of my lupus, my doctor will often put me on prednisone, which I find helps.  In your case, however, I'd be leary of asking my doctor about giving it a try until you've seen the rheumy, only because if you're taking it either when you see him/her or HAD been taking it, it may possibly make it more difficult for the rheumy to properly diagnose you - if your symptoms are under control or gone when you see him/her, they won't be able to see exactly what you're experiencing.

I know it's difficult, but unfortunately, the best advice I can give for now is to do the best that you can to make yourself as comfortable as possible until your appointment.  You may want to give the rheumy office a call and tell them that you're having a really bad time right now and ask that, if they don't have any openings before your appointment date, if they can at least put you on a cancellation list and call you if they get any cancellations before then.

Best of luck and please keep us posted on how you're doing and what you find out.

[geminigirl1963]

Your symptoms defnitely sound like lupus.  I'm sorry you can't get in to see a rheumatologist until the middle of November - they are often quite difficult to get into quickly as a new patient.  Fortunately, however, once you're an established patient with them, it's usually easier, especially if you're having a particularly rough time.

When I have a bad flare of my lupus, my doctor will often put me on prednisone, which I find helps.  In your case, however, I'd be leary of asking my doctor about giving it a try until you've seen the rheumy, only because if you're taking it either when you see him/her or HAD been taking it, it may possibly make it more difficult for the rheumy to properly diagnose you - if your symptoms are under control or gone when you see him/her, they won't be able to see exactly what you're experiencing.

I know it's difficult, but unfortunately, the best advice I can give for now is to do the best that you can to make yourself as comfortable as possible until your appointment.  You may want to give the rheumy office a call and tell them that you're having a really bad time right now and ask that, if they don't have any openings before your appointment date, if they can at least put you on a cancellation list and call you if they get any cancellations before then.

Best of luck and please keep us posted on how you're doing and what you find out.

[karajo]

gemingirl gave you very good advice.  I know it is difficult to do the waiting game, but you are doing the right thing by do some homework prior to your dr. visit.  

I would encourage you to spend time in the sun prior to your rhem. visit.  Leave a little early and stand outside (even if it is cloudy) for 15 to 20 min.  What tis will do, if you have lupus, is cause an immune response in your body and cause you ANA to be more elevated.  The rhemy won't pay any attention to the 1:40.


Also write down all of your symptoms on a piece of paper and give it to the dr.  This way they are not trying to remember everything you have told him/her.  Try to be brief and to the point.  But don't leave anything out.  If your fingers turn white when you are cold....write that down.  If your throat is sore, etc.  

Keep us all posted.  We are praying for you.

[geminigirl1963]

Thank you for pointing out about the sun - I totally spaced on that one, which is actually surprising since just two weeks ago, I was out in the sun at a town parade for about 2 1/2 hours and ended up unintentionally sending myself into a bad flare with rash, sore throat, fever, etc.  Dummy me wasn't even thinking about sunscreen with it being the middle of October - I definitely should know better, but I didn't, so I've been paying.

[karajo]

Yeah, it can happen w/o any thought.  I'm not sure all this sunscreen really helps any.  I can bathe in 100 spf and add an umbrella and still have problems.  And it's not always the next day...sometimes two days later.  

I'm assuming you were born in 1963.  I was born in 62,  If so, we are close in age.

[MissAlyss88]

thanks so much for the input... is this why i get sick constantly? it seems like every week im back at the doctors office! besides prednisone, what are they able to do? i havent been able to work in 2 years and i finally tried getting a job but im working 10-14 hrs a day. its so hard bc my body aches and im not sure being a waitress was the best choice... lol

[karajo]

There are other things the dr can give you, but first things first.   A diagnosis must be made.  It's not wise to throw powerful med. at something they are not sure of.  

I take 400 mg of  plaquinel, which has helped significantly.  I also take vit D.  (Make sure your dr. checks your vit D level as well as all the autoimmune issues.)

[geminigirl1963]

Yes, I was born in 1963 - so we definitely are close in age.  I know what you mean about not knowing whether the sunscreen completely works or not - I've had times when i've been slathered up like a greased pig and had troubles and other times when I've forgotten to put it on (or it has been washed off in the water) and haven't had any troubles.  So I guess it's like everything else with lupus - trial and error and up in the air.  I know for sure the rash I got this time was definitely sun and lupus related - the rash started about 1 1/2 - 2 hours after I got out of the sun and also started with the low grade fevers, increased pain, sore throat - my typical lupus symptoms.  And the rash could very easily be seen as a "sun rash" because there was a very definitive line where my shirt sleeve had been and it was only on the left arm that had been in the direct sun the whole time.

[geminigirl1963]

Karajo is correct - there are many things the doctor could try if you are diagnosed with lupus, but it's important to find out for sure if that is what is causing your problems.  You certainly don't want to throw medication or treatments at something if that isn't what you have.

Definitely have your vitamin D checked along with the other blood work the doctor will more than likely order.  Vitamin D deficiency is actually pretty common with lupus patients.

I would definitely do what Karajo suggested also with writing down your symptoms.  A lot of times we feel rushed when we're in the doctor's office and sometimes forget to tell them something that could potentially be a very important key, so if you write things down as you think of them or experience them, you'll be better prepared for talking with the doctor.  It also gives the doctor a hard copy of something to look at, rather than THEM also trying to remember everything you've told them.  Also write down any questions you may have so you remmeber those also.

Karajo's suggestion about staying in the sun for a while before your appointment is also a good one.  I'm not sure why, but being in the sun quite often will make your levels higher and therefore be easier to detect on blood work.  While a short amoutn of time right before your apointment would be good, if you can spend a little bit of time in the sun for several days before your appointment (as well as right before), that may help also - the more exposure, the more likely your levels will rise.

Congrats on your new job!