Can a person have SLE and MS at the same time?

[Jennyb67]

Can I have both at the same time? My neurologist said I have a demylinating condition but is unknown what type.
I had a calf muscle biopsy last yeat and it was lost by the Mayo clinic so no results. I fall and drop things alot and currsntly wear braces on both hands and rt leg, getting one for left leg. Can anything else beside MS cause this?
Thanks for listening Jenny.

[Jennyb67]

My symptoms are spastic reflexes I recently failed an EMG on my lft leg. My eyes will dart back and forth at a high rate of speed. When I lie down once in a while my whole body will jerk . I'm on Klonopin for my arm and head shakes. I wear wrist braces so my hands don't draw up and when I walk my legs just buckle for no reason . My left leg currently stays numb and I do lose my balance alot. I drop things to. I tested positive for SLE in 2004 in my blood work. Haven't had new MRIs' in awhile.

[Jennyb67]

Thanks for listening.

[wishforchange]

Both MS and SLE are autoimmune conditions, which means that the body starts to attack itself as though it were fighting an infection from outside.  MS is where the fatty coverings of the nerves are attacked, which leads to eventual malfunctioning of the nerves involved.  SLE involves connective tissue, which is prevalent throughout the body, and if it is being attacked can cause a very great range of symptoms, including neurological ones.  Any autoimmine condition tends to make it more likely, though not definitely the case, that other autoimmune conditions may also be present.  So the answer may well be yes, it is possible to have both conditions.  What you need is a clear breakdown of what is causing your symptoms, and this may be beyond the scope of a general neurologist.  I expect or would hope you have already had all the blood tests for autoimmine activity - check and request them if they have not been done.  What MRIs have been done?  Your doctor seems to have enough evidence to make a provisional diagnosis, I suggest the next step is to be referred to a neurologist who is a specialist in MS or a specialist in SLE.  The final diagnosis may be a long drawn out process ultimately, but regrettably this is common with complex neurological conditions.  It is essential you get it right though, as the treatments and management plans are different depending on the condition.  Just be aware, some doctors can diagnose MS a little too quickly, but there are many mimics of this condition.  Your doctor is being open minded, which is great, but it sounds like he now needs to hand your file over to other specialists too, so that you get the most accurate picture of what is going on.  You're on track though, and that itself is an achievement.  It just needs this final push to get the problem finally classified.  Then you can do all the research and hone in on the best treatments.  Best of luck.

[DrNoopurMD]

Hi,

What other symptoms do you have apart from those that you have mentioned?
Also which tests have you undergone? Please elaborate.
The diagnosis of SLE and MS is very difficult as both the diseases have similar presentation clinically as well as in lab findings. I would suggest you to try and find a good neurologist in your area and schedule an appointment with him as soon as possible.