keep telling me i have fms but i have lupus symptoms please help

[oliviamarie12345]

doctors keep telling me I have fibromyalgia - here are symptoms

-muscle and joint pain
-rash on face triggered by floresent light/sun - looks like buttterfly rash to me
-headaches
-swelling of feet - last week my foot was 3x its normal size
-some swelling in hand too
-raynauds in hands and feet
-hair loss
-shoulder/neck pain
-history of autoimmune in family
-arthritis in some fingers

any thoughts?!?!

[shawn86]

I meant to say that the doctor did prescribe prednisone and tramadol.  I am awaiting to see a rheumologist. I don't know what lyme disease is exactly.

[patsy10]

I would get tested for lyme disease.  From what I have researched the ANA must be much higher to indicate Lupus.  The ANA is a non-specific test .  A positive means further testing needs to be done.  There a people with positive ANA results who have no underlying diseases.

[shawn86]

Thanks, I meant to also mention I had a positve Ana of 1:80, trouble walking when I get my joints start to ache badly. Sharp pain running through my arms and legs, really bad muscle aches that don't let up. The doctor won't prescribed, prednisone and tramadol. When I went back to the dr he prescribed vicodin because the pain is only getting worse. He tested my joints and it hurt so bad I wanted to hit my dr. I don't know what else to ask.

[VaBreeze]

You didn't mention Lyme testing.  You could have FMS, but they need to rule out other illnesses that mimic FMS.  Look in our Health Pages at "Newly Diagnosed" and it will list some things that should be considered (as they all can cause the symptoms you describe).  We had someone not long ago here who had pressure in her chest.  The doctor placed her on a medication used to treat seizures.  She didn't actually have seizures, but her chest pressure eased up.  

Also, check out the symptoms of FMS/CFS (in our Health Pages as well).  The positive ANA's show that something is taking place within your immune system.  I'm just not sure that it's Lupus as the rash is most typical.  It will be interesting to see what a specialist will dx you with.  Also, there is an illness called A-typical MS, which won't necessairly show on an MRI.  They will usually make a dx based on symptoms.  

I hope you can find answers soon.  We know how frustrating it can be to not really know why your body is feeling as it does.  Check out the info. we  have here as I think it may provide you with some insight.

Take care.

[shawn86]

Hello everyone, I am a 23 year old mother of two. I have been having severe joint and muscle pain for over a year, I went to the dr and had test done, I had 3 positive ANA tests, I don't have MS, Schjorns disease or mixed connective tissue disease. I have lupus in my family and although I don't have the rash, but I have chest pain and numbness throughout my body. I have trouble walking at times as well. My doctor sent me to the nearby hospital and I had the same test done as well. They came back the same. I have to wait on a referral to a specialist. I just want to know what could possibly be wrong with me. My dr thinks it lupus but of course he's a family dr and not 100% sure. Any suggestions

[selmaS]

Hi, I read this post, knowing u also have chiari I wonder if it is possible that u may have EDS= Ehlers-Danlos Snydrome.Symptoms are similar to what u mentioned and shows up in many with chiari. I was recently dx with it as well and was also told my raynauds wasa probably not raynauds but the EDS.

I hope u find ur answers

"selma"

[oliviamarie12345]

thank you so much

[PlateletGal]

First, they need to order an ANA test. Your lab result will be positive if your have lupus (or another autoimmune condition and sometimes it is positive in even people who have fibro).

If your physician has already ordered an ANA titer on you and the result was negative, then consider getting it re-checked in a few more months.

[oliviamarie12345]

what are all of the blood tests to rule out lupus?

[PlateletGal]

It sounds like you could have been misdiagnosed or you have an overlapping autoimmune condition (along with the fibro).

Have you seen a rheumatologist yet ? If so... did he/she order all of the proper blood tests to rule out lupus and take X-Rays ? (both are very important)

[kitonthemoon]

Have you thought about seeing another doctor and do some test for lupus?  there're so many disease share common symptoms, I wouldn't want to assume what is or not.  Do all the readings on Lupus you can.  That's how I found out I had ME/CFS by reseraching in library and online.

More often than not, our gut feeling is more accurate than doctors..

[oliviamarie12345]

also have low lymphcytes (18.5)