Has anyone without a diagnosis been given plaquenil?

[mamiJ]

My dr has suspected lupus for a little while because of positive ANA and sympoyms, but my anti DNA is negative.

I'm having a bad flare right now, so she gave me medrol and said if that helps, she wants to start plaquenil.

Has anyone else been given this med with no dx?

[mamiJ]

Thank you, doctornee.

Zee, hope all goes well for you. Pls let us lnow

[Zee83]

Hello:
My PCP also suspected lupus. I ve been having chest pain for the past 3 months, weakness, feeling sleepy all the time, mood swings, abdominal cramps, joint pain, muscle and breast pain and I am 29years old. So first I went to my OB/GYN and she checked my breasts for any lumps,, (I have breast implants which are 4 years old),, and she ordered a breast ultrasound and breast mammogram they all came back normal,, she then told me to check with my PCP,, my PCP ordered an EKG which came back normal,, he also ordered some blood work which came back normal except for the WBC which came back low at 3.1. Then he told me I have to test for TB, HIV, Hepatitis, lupus and do a CT scan. I did all the blood work and was scheduled to do my CT scan 2 weeks ago,, but when my blood work came back lupus was at 1.22 which was borderline high and hep A was positive so he told me no need to do my CT scan anymore and he referred me to a rheumatologist, which ordered more blood work and I am scheduled to see him on Tuesday. The problem is that my PCP messed up my mood and I am feeling depressed all the time especially that he told me oh u might have lymphoma b/c my WBC where somewhat low,, then when my blood work came positive for lupus and Hep A he told me no need anymore to do the CT ,, I am so nervous since all this started and I dont know what to do,, Thanx for reading my story

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi!
If you are not sure of lupus diagnosis, please ask your specialist for further tests. Anti-SM subtype of speckled ANA almost confirms lupus diagnosis, as it is rarely present in other disorders. Anti-Ro and Anti-Sm together almost confirm diagnosis. Similarly antidsDNA antibodies confirm lupus. Since the test is equivocal, the speckled ANA should be studied further to confirm lupus diagnosis. Also at times during less active stage, antidsDNA may be negative or equivocal, so this test too should be repeated again after a gap of 2-3 weeks. Plaquenil can be used to suppress the flares of lupus, malaria and rheumatoid arthritis. Even RA can give skin rashes and flares like lupus. So yes, the drug can be used. Please discuss with your specialist.
Take care!