Dear Doctor, I began with a "petechiae rash" February 24th accompanied by sore, swollen, and bleeding gums, left flank pain and hematuria. My pcp did STAT bloodwork and I was told everything looked okay but this particular rash must be investigated because it usually does not occur without a reason. I have since then seen a dermatologist who agrees with what my pcp said and they are sending me to a Rheumatologist, my appt. is the 16th of this month. The dermatologist mentioned a few causes of this particular type of rash: Leukemia, Lupus, Scleroderma, Multiple Myeloma or Collagen Vascular Disease. I'm presently beening evaluated for MS but starting to think that since the symptoms of these disease are similiar maybe MS isn't the culprit. The only change in my symptoms since Feb 24th have been easy bruising only on my forearms and thighs. These bruises appear out of nowhere (about the size of an m&m) and then they disappear as mysteriously as they appeared. Also over the last 1 1/2-2 weeks I have had in ulcer in my left nostril and several ulcers on the inside of my lower lip which are finally resolving. Lastly, I started Sunday with a very painful area on my left shoulder that is very tender to touch. There is a spider vein in this exact area that wasn't there before. Now for the last 2 days the same shoulder is aching like a BAD toothache, limited range of motion and some slight swelling. The petechiae rash is still present as well as the gum problems. My questions are: can you have a negative ANA and still run the risk of having Lupus? Does any of the new symptoms (ulcers, shoulder problem and bruises) go along with Lupus, or sound like something totally unrelated?
Just for a little history, I am currently disabled because of arachnoiditis, end-stage DDD (have had 3 lumbar surgeries, bony fusion from L3-S1 and instrumentation at L5-S1 with titanium cages and have been diagnosed as having "a demyelinating disease of the CNS unspecified at this time". I suffer with dibilitating fatigue, pain on a daily basis, weakness, difficulty swallowing, and an unintentional weight loss of 50 lbs, numbness tingling, bladder and bowel dysfunction, the list goes on. My mri of the brain a year ago was fine, LP showed occasional lymphocytes and cells of pia-arachnoidal origin but neg for MS. I've never had mri of cervicle spine.
Thanks for any information you can give me, I know you cannot diagnose over the internet.
P.S.- Also, what does the interpretation of the LP mean (Occasional lymphocytes and cells of pia-arachnoidal origin, this was never explained to me)? Thanks again.
Kim