MS vs lupus

Feelings of fatigue, memory loss, cognitive/emotional disturbances, headaches, numbness/tingling in extremities, sensitivity to heat brought me to a neurologist. MRI showed small white lesions under non contrast and nothing under contrast. ANA was 1:640 and Anticardiolipin (+) with IgM at 27. Neurologist is sending me right to rheumatologist, feeling it is not MS. Is this still a possibility? Should I continue to explore MS? Are these typical s/s for Lupus?
I already have familial hypercholesterolemia, fatty liver, and thin basement membrane disease. Maybe I should see a geneticist! :)  I am a 25 yr female.
Either way I live far from family and work 13hr days in a hospital. I don't think I continue this lifestyle. Any comments on whether its easier to live closer to family and if any medicine will still allow these long days? Any suggestions on how to approach work with all my absences and needing to leave early d/t tests/ appts?

[PaulMD]

Hi there.

With your complex symptoms, it will be very hard to tell one from the other.  However, your tests may point out more to a rheumatic disorder such as Lupus or Anti-phospholipid antibody syndrome (APAS).  I agree with the rheumatologist consult since if this is indeed a rheumatic disorder, it can be treated accordingly and may lead to dramatic improvement of your symptoms.  Furthermore, the neurologist may have nothing much to do if this were MS, and this exploration of  a rheumatic possibility is welcome.

It would really help if the medical facility is near the place you stay since working up and treating this condition will require regular follow ups.

Regards and God bless.