MS, Lupus, & RA

[floridamom2]

Hi all!  I was wondering if anyone knows which tests other than the blood tests would rule out Lupus or RA.

I have been having alot of hip, ankle and wrist pain along with extreme weakness in these areas and numbness for at least 6 weeks now.  My pattern of 3 weeks of symptoms and 1-2 weeks of strength seams to be blown now and I rarely have a strong day anymore.  I am kind of worried I have progressed into a progressive stage of whatever this is.  I have an appointment to see Siddy's MS specialist in 5 weeks but was wondering if I could get any other Xrays or scans that could tell me that Lupus and RA are definitely ruled out before I go see him.  I have already had all the blood tests and everything came back normal (imagine that!!).

Thanks for your help guys and just another shout out to Penn - Hoo Freakin Ray on the documentation!!!
Kristin  

[Momzilla]

Hi, Kristin!

Thanks for the PM!  Yes, all that Deb and Jazzy said sound right to me.  

The ANA, C-reactive protein, Sed rate, sometimes they'll do a rheumatoid factor.  Both my sister-in-law and friend have RA, and both have rheumatoid factor, but I think it's one of those inconsistent things that turns up or doesn't.  

I'm sure this new doc will put you through the blood work for those things when you see him.  I'm glad you're going to see Siddy's doc.  Hers was a complicated case, and he got to the bottom of it.  

Feel better.  Good luck!

Zilla*

[Jazzyfizzle]

Great thoughts there from Deb. I know I was given the joint x-rays for the extreme joint pain, I believe to rule out RA also.
Sorry to hear you are progressing. :(  

Jazzy

[Deb61]

I've recently been diagnosed with MS.  Before that, I went on a several year "adventure" (dry heave) to find out what was wrong with me, going the rheumatological route.  It started with a skin rash, a positive ANA, increased sed. rate, and C-reactive protein.  I also had joint pain and symptoms that pointed to lupus.  Since then, my ANA tests have been low titer.  Later, I was diagnosed with Raynaud's, fibromyalgia, migraines, heart palpatations, high blood pressure, and thyroid disease.

A year and half ago, my sister began having neurological problems and was diagnosed with MS.  We compared symptoms.  Many of my odd symptoms matched hers.  I went to a neurologist in my area who dismissed me, so I went to her neurologist.  Then holey moley, answers!  After ordering an MRI, a revelation.  The MRI came back positive with lots of lesions in the white matter--and a diagnosis was made of MS just like that!  

My understanding is that you're more likely to have another autoimmune disease if you have one--that's the way it was in my case.  Many of the symptoms of autoimmune diseases overlap, making it difficult, if not impossible to self-diagnosis (I know, 'cause I've been there and done that).  It's also frustratiing because (like in my case), you run into doctors that are not all that competent or just plain lazy!  So my suggestion, is to talk with other people in your area to find an excellent rheumatologist and neurologist.

Also, to answer your question, there are other tests that will help with the diagnosis of lupus--like skin biopsies, urinalysis, echocardiograms, scans (MRI and CT), X-rays, clinical observations (make sure that you give a doctors a list of symptoms to note in your records when you see them), reports from opthamologists, etc.  I don't think there is one test to rule out lupus (except blood tests), but I think x-rays of all affected joints will rule out RA.

Best wishes to you.  I hope that you find some answers soon!
Deb