Autom-Immune

[Amanda1977]

My Dr. stated I seem auto-immune & but atm I can't afford tests. Here are my symptoms, sorry the list is long THANKS so much in advance.

1.MVP w/valve regurge/severe chest pain
2.Mono & Epstien Barr at 11 yrs w/ hosp stay
3.Severe lymphatic swelling and lymph node infection 12yrs w/hosp  stay
4.Bell's Palsy 13yrs same side of my face as the lymph node infections 6mos later. I

[Jenny Wren]

Maybe Lupus or Lymes

[myproblem]

This is almost certainly Lupus. Especially symptom #'s 1,4,8,9,10,11,12,14,and 15. The gall bladder problem, though there are no stones, you can have a malfunction when the gallbladder is supposed to contract after a meal. The test for this is a HIDA-scan with CCK. If you do not have good insurance, it is time to find a way to get it. You need to be on immunosuppressants in order to slow the rate of damage to your body. You need to have your urine monitored for protein(this is cheap). Some of the blood tests can be particularly important in monitoring your condition. It is a good idea not to have your Dr. write a diagnosis in your records until you have good insurance so that you won't have a "pre-existing" condition exclusion. most Dr.'s are very cooperative and understanding about this, and you can still get the treatment you need. Also, if you can get a hold of any of your old medical records from childhood, you may have been tested for lupus, and never told. This could save you some money. Autoimmune diseases are often thought to be triggered by a severe illness, or female hormones. A genetic predisposition is suspected, but has not been identified. Any more questions, please post.
Here are some links:
This is from the UK Lupus site. I like it better than the US site.
http://www.uklupus.co.uk/symplist.html

Here is one from emedicine. They are usually very detailed:
http://www.emedicine.com/emerg/topic564.htm

These ones have pictures of skin conditions:
http://www.dermnet.com/moduleIndex.cfm?moduleID=6

http://dermis.multimedica.de/dermisroot/en/38669/diagnose.htm

http://dermis.multimedica.de/dermisroot/en/list/lupus/search.htm

[Amanda1977]

Thanks so much for the replies. It's not Lyme disease, I was tested for it when I came down with Bell's Palsy. I've never been tested for Lupus.

Thanks for the links, some of those rashes are just like the ones I get.

[myproblem]

Neurological problems, including Bell's Palsy are sometimes the first symptoms of Lupus.

[heart2heart]

sounds like lupus.  Do you have fevers?  You should be tested for it and you need medication if you have it.