Tested positive for Lyme and Lupus.

[weslibgirl]

It seems I received a double whammy. I have suffered for too many years with joint pain, fatigue, edema andf other symptoms. I had Rheumatic Fever when I was 15.  I am now 58.  I have been to a cardiologist and discovered that I have High BP and a minor backwash in a heart valve. My edema was considered to be idiopathic at one time.  My new MD finally tested me for Lupus and Lyme.  Guess what. Both came back positive.  This was 15 months aqo.  Several tests later and I am still postive.  

My problem, is after all of this time, I wonder how long have I had either condition. Also how can I attribute which symptoms to which condition.  

[patsy10]

Are you being treated for lyme?  I have seen stories posted from people who were diagnosed with lupus and then received treatment for lyme and the lupus resolved.  They really had lyme all along and never really had lupus.

[firemanswife21]

Oh my goodness!! Lupus AND Lyme disease!! I have been going through trying to be diagnosed and the top runners have always been Lupus and Lyme. The treatments are quiet contredictive arent they??!! Was it just a normal lyme titer that you did or did you go through a nucluear lab like IGeneX? And what lupus tests were positive. Because lyme disease can become an autoimmune and give out a positive ANA. I dont know about the other tests and which ones can get compermissed. Just make sure you dont start lupus treatment with out being 100% positive that its not just Lyme disease. My LLMD told me that if you have had active lyme for long enough it can be very very simalar to Lupus, as far as symptoms  AND tests go.
i wish you the best of luck! And keep me informed.

[wonko]

As noted above, the treatments for Lyme and lupus are disparate.  In lupus, an overactive immune system needs to be controlled, whereas in Lyme, the immune system needs to kick into overdrive to fight an infection.  

I 2nd patsy10's comment, I've also read ppl who had positive ANA from Lyme.  I never did.  I did have a high SED rate and a butterfly rash that looked like lupus, but it was Lyme.  

Hopefully your docs can really back up and build confidence in the diagnosis before starting treatment, as lupus treatment with steroid would be devastating for Lyme.