Blood test positive

Hi, I have recently seen a Rheumatologist and he is still unsure if I have Lupus or RA(although I have never had the butterfly rash that comes with Lupus).  My ANA test was positive, so he said that it is definate that I have one or the other - I think it is RA but he is hesitant to diagnose me.  My symptoms include joint and body pain that goes from mild to severe.  The worst part is I haven't slept through the night peacefully in over 2 years because the pain in my shoulders and hips wakes me up everytime I move.  My knees, fingers, back, etc. take turns hurting as well.  Sometimes the pain is so sharp it feels like a needle is being shoved into the joint, and other times I just hurt and can't even pinpoint where the hurt is coming from. 

He has put me on Hydroxychloriquine and told me that it would take 3 months to work.  I have been on it for two - and so far, nothing.  I am very frustrated with this, but am going to wait it out to the end of the three months.  What works best for pain?  I would just like to sleep through the night and tylenol and advil just don't last long enough.

 

Thanks, I have contacted my rheumy and am waiting for a call back. I have waited long enough without sleep, and am going to ask him for something to help. I'm so tired and achy that something's gotta give. This site really helps in seeing that I can take a proactive approach to my treatment instead of reactive.

thanks again and have a good week. :)

I have psoriatic arthritis, but many symptoms parallel lupus. I've been on plaquenil for quite a few years and it does work very slowly, to the point you're not sure it's doing much until one day you realize you're doing a lot better than you used to. But it does work great for me. I hope you find that you also are getting good results from it.