So, I've been having all sorts of issues lately and I can't help but want to blame them all on a possible lupus diagnosis. Complicating matters is the fact that I've been out of work and uninsured for about 7 months and my next set of benefits don't kick in for another 3 months! That's a LONG time to wait to get any treatment! The symptoms and problems keep building up. What to do!?
Here's my history so far. I had a high C-reactive protein test and ANA screen of 1:640, homogeneous pattern. Anti DS DNA came back normal, though. I've had joint pain, swelling and stiffness for years, which prompted the tests, and a weak (maternal aunt) family history of Lupus.
Lately I've been having very low blood pressure readings (last 2 days ago was 102/60), a rash between my breasts that's raised, but broad and very "angry" looking, weakness, fatigue, hand and foot swelling, increased urination (even waking me at night), insomnia, nervous jitters and hand shaking, muscle aches, and headaches. I don't have the typical "butterfly rash", per se, but my skin is doing horrible things all over, aside from the previously mentioned rash.
I would love nothing more than to go get checked out, but I still don't have insurance and as I've never been clinically diagnosed with Lupus, I don't want to hand the doctor a "canned" diagnosis or spoonfeed it to them. How can I get a thorough and attentive workup for what I THINK is wrong and so that I can just feel better without taking forever and multiple overwhelming doctor bills? Also, because I haven't yet been clinically diagnosed, I'm thinking that even if I were to be blessedly diagnosed with SOMETHING (so that there can be a treatment), I run into "preexisting conditions" territory and it will screw me out of getting help in the future. What can and should I do?! I feel horrible and anxious!