Aa
Lupus?
Hey all,
I have been trying to figure out what is going on with me for the past 6 months. Here is the symptom presentation: 2 years ago, I had my first rash outbreak from (presumably) being in the sun. The rash was round in shape, with a small indention in the middle. Soon thereafter, my ears began to occasionally itch, become swollen, and very red. They were also scaly and flaky. This would last for a few days-to a week, then the swelling and intense itchiness would subside, and I would just be left with very, very scaly ears.
The rash that presented itself from being in the sun started out looking like pimples, but eventually turned very itchy, and presented on my forehead and ears. Not long thereafter, I began to have muscle aches...not limited to my joints, but what it feels like when you have the flu. This were usually mild (moderate to severe aches happened when I was more tired or stressed), and happened daily. This usually happened alongside of serious fatigue and occasional dizziness (like the room is spinning, or the floor is uneven). Even when I have gotten enough sleep, I am tired.
This past summer, two new symptoms presented. One, my finger became intensely swollen, itchy, and pained. This was diagnosed as cellulitis. It happened above the second joint in my index finger on my left hand, and stayed red for the next few months, until this happened again. It became inflammed to the point where I could not bend it, itchy, and hot to the touch. Another diagnosis of cellulitis, same finger, same joint. Since both of these episodes, the finger is discolored where they occurred. (My stepmother, who is a nurse, speculated that either I had a parasite from traveling abroad or gout in the finger--although the condition seemed strictly limited to the skin). The second symptom was a rash that was limited to my buttocks, elbow, and hip. It developed after being out at the beach (just sat on the sand, no beach chairs). It was extremely itchy (and went away after about 1 week of applying some steroid cream I had leftover from an eczema outbreak). (Also, after being in the sun all summer, I did break out in the pimple, disc shaped spots again, on my face and chest...they are about the size of a dime).
These issues seem unrelated, but I also see white flashes of light on the daily and have had issues with my hands and feet tingling (this happened quite a bit a few years ago, and I found out that I had a slipped disc in my back...but it still happens, albeit less frequently, 5 years later). Sometimes my left knee will go numb for weeks at a time (and almost feel like there is fluid behind the kneecap), then return to normal.
Fast forward 5 months, and the same buttocks rash is back (with swollen, itchy ears). I went to the doctor and he immediately wrote it off as the ringworm fungus (despite no testing, and no distinctive "ring"). This doctor ran tests on me for lupus previous to me coming in about the buttocks rash, but they all came back negative (no issues with any organs, no antibodies, etc. etc.). Then he suggested that maybe the fatigue, dizziness, and tingling could be related to MS (but no further tests were done). I'm beginning to feel like my clinic/doctor thinks I am crazy because of these obscure symptoms.
I have no idea what could be going on, going to the school's infirmary in the morning to get this "recurring ringworm" looked at. What do you suggest? Any help is welcome and appreciated.
I have been trying to figure out what is going on with me for the past 6 months. Here is the symptom presentation: 2 years ago, I had my first rash outbreak from (presumably) being in the sun. The rash was round in shape, with a small indention in the middle. Soon thereafter, my ears began to occasionally itch, become swollen, and very red. They were also scaly and flaky. This would last for a few days-to a week, then the swelling and intense itchiness would subside, and I would just be left with very, very scaly ears.
The rash that presented itself from being in the sun started out looking like pimples, but eventually turned very itchy, and presented on my forehead and ears. Not long thereafter, I began to have muscle aches...not limited to my joints, but what it feels like when you have the flu. This were usually mild (moderate to severe aches happened when I was more tired or stressed), and happened daily. This usually happened alongside of serious fatigue and occasional dizziness (like the room is spinning, or the floor is uneven). Even when I have gotten enough sleep, I am tired.
This past summer, two new symptoms presented. One, my finger became intensely swollen, itchy, and pained. This was diagnosed as cellulitis. It happened above the second joint in my index finger on my left hand, and stayed red for the next few months, until this happened again. It became inflammed to the point where I could not bend it, itchy, and hot to the touch. Another diagnosis of cellulitis, same finger, same joint. Since both of these episodes, the finger is discolored where they occurred. (My stepmother, who is a nurse, speculated that either I had a parasite from traveling abroad or gout in the finger--although the condition seemed strictly limited to the skin). The second symptom was a rash that was limited to my buttocks, elbow, and hip. It developed after being out at the beach (just sat on the sand, no beach chairs). It was extremely itchy (and went away after about 1 week of applying some steroid cream I had leftover from an eczema outbreak). (Also, after being in the sun all summer, I did break out in the pimple, disc shaped spots again, on my face and chest...they are about the size of a dime).
These issues seem unrelated, but I also see white flashes of light on the daily and have had issues with my hands and feet tingling (this happened quite a bit a few years ago, and I found out that I had a slipped disc in my back...but it still happens, albeit less frequently, 5 years later). Sometimes my left knee will go numb for weeks at a time (and almost feel like there is fluid behind the kneecap), then return to normal.
Fast forward 5 months, and the same buttocks rash is back (with swollen, itchy ears). I went to the doctor and he immediately wrote it off as the ringworm fungus (despite no testing, and no distinctive "ring"). This doctor ran tests on me for lupus previous to me coming in about the buttocks rash, but they all came back negative (no issues with any organs, no antibodies, etc. etc.). Then he suggested that maybe the fatigue, dizziness, and tingling could be related to MS (but no further tests were done). I'm beginning to feel like my clinic/doctor thinks I am crazy because of these obscure symptoms.
I have no idea what could be going on, going to the school's infirmary in the morning to get this "recurring ringworm" looked at. What do you suggest? Any help is welcome and appreciated.
Hi there and welcome to MedHelp. Some of your symptoms sound like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis. I would suggest an ANA test to start off with.
There are 11 criteria of lupus, you need 4 of the 11 for a lupus dx.
They are:
1. malar rash (butterfly rash)
2. discoid rash - red raised patches
3. photosensitivity - reaction to sunlight, resulting in skin rash
4. oral and or nose ulcers
5. arthritis
6. serositis - inflamation of the lining of the lungs or heart
7. renal disorder - excessive protein in urine and or cellular cast
8. neurologic disorder - seizures or psychosis
9. anemia or low WBC or lymphopenia or low platlet count
10. positive ANA
11. positive anti-DNA, anti Sm, or antiphospholipid antibody or false pos. syphilis test
Other symptoms are:
fever
abdominal pain
chest pain
shortness of breath
blood in urine
hair falling out
fatigue
muscle pain and weakness
dizziness
poor memory
headaches
poor circulation in fingers and toes
tingling in extremities
diarrhea
bloating
nausea
weight loss
blurred vision
depression
heart palpatations
raynauds (where fingers turn white when cold)
intollerance to cold
sore throat
...to name a few
Keep in mind that fibromyalgia, CFS, MSand lymes disease also have similar symptoms.
Let us know if you have any more questions.\
God bless
There are 11 criteria of lupus, you need 4 of the 11 for a lupus dx.
They are:
1. malar rash (butterfly rash)
2. discoid rash - red raised patches
3. photosensitivity - reaction to sunlight, resulting in skin rash
4. oral and or nose ulcers
5. arthritis
6. serositis - inflamation of the lining of the lungs or heart
7. renal disorder - excessive protein in urine and or cellular cast
8. neurologic disorder - seizures or psychosis
9. anemia or low WBC or lymphopenia or low platlet count
10. positive ANA
11. positive anti-DNA, anti Sm, or antiphospholipid antibody or false pos. syphilis test
Other symptoms are:
fever
abdominal pain
chest pain
shortness of breath
blood in urine
hair falling out
fatigue
muscle pain and weakness
dizziness
poor memory
headaches
poor circulation in fingers and toes
tingling in extremities
diarrhea
bloating
nausea
weight loss
blurred vision
depression
heart palpatations
raynauds (where fingers turn white when cold)
intollerance to cold
sore throat
...to name a few
Keep in mind that fibromyalgia, CFS, MSand lymes disease also have similar symptoms.
Let us know if you have any more questions.\
God bless
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Autoimmune Disorders Community
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
PrEP is used by people with high risk to prevent HIV infection.
