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Concerned about my Girlfriend.

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Posted 1/2/2009 10:41 PM (GMT 0)

Hello everyone blush ,

1st off, Happy New Year!

I have a question, im concerned about my girlfriend (20 yo). She's developing symptoms that could be related to an autoimmune disease. I'm wondering if anyone's had a similar episode or if this is pointing towards possibly Lupus.

When we first met she had a bad back injury which required surgery (soccer battle wound) needless to say shes all better now after getting a disc in her Lumbar area fused and is now pain free. Before her surgery she had taken a blood-panel which came back as ANA positive after noticing some small clumps of hair falling out in the shower but was informed by her doctor that fake positives sometimes do show and there really isn't much to worry about but to also come back in about six months for another blood test.

Six months had passed and she took another blood test which came back positive as well (this was now just prior to her surgery). Again she was told not to worry and that false positives come up from time to time, but the doctor would like to do another test after her back is fixed and shes feeling better to make sure.

about a month or so ago she noted that she has been getting more and more fatigued to the point where naps are almost a necessity to be able to carry out her day.

about a month ago she had experienced strange "BAR shaped" rashes appearing randomly on her body. The rashes almost looked like someone slapped her with a ruler. She hasn't had a butterfly shaped one across her face or anything as of yet (that I know about).

She now has been experiencing pain in her hands, she describes them as pain in her knuckles, she describes it as moderate pain (compaired to a torn disc that she suffered from before her surgery). Anytime I rub her hands she winces as I rub across her knuckles. She also noted that she has pain that runs down the sides of her hands (along the side with the pinky finger).

She's also been getting unexpected fevers which come and go. I read on a website that a sign of an auto-immune disorder typical with Lupus is someone getting sores in their mouth as these fevers linger on. She mentioned she does get these sores.

Needless to say she had gotten another set of blood tests done, her doctor called and said he would like to talk to her in person about the results and schedueled an appointment here on the 8th which had been about 2-3 weeks since she had blood drawn.

I've researched many sites online and all of her Symptoms point to either Lupus or some kind of Viral Syndrome.

Im worried as heck, I guess im more worried because we don't know what's going on yet. If anyone has any input or suggestions please let me know.

I appreciate it, and god bless.

Concerned Boyfriend,

Joe

After her surgery shes been

Post Edited (WorriedBoyfriend) : 1/2/2009 4:37:51 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 1/3/2009 1:40 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Joe,

Happy New Year to you as well. It seems you have a very good reason to be concerned, as your girlfriend definitely has signs that most healthy 20 year olds do not. Loss of hair, joint pain and fatigue are signs of many auto immune diseases, as well as a positive ANA. Unfortunately, many auto immune diseases mimic one another, so it would be hard to say without knowing more of her history if it were lupus or not, also, I am just a patient and not a physcian so I would not want to venture a guess on a diagnosis.

There are many resources on the web that can help you to narrow down your search for some answers. As far as the criteria for lupus there are 11 symptoms doctors look for when considering a diagnosis, patients must have 4 of the 11 to meet the criteria. Here is a link that will provide you more information on the criteria and such. http://lupus.org/education/overview.html

Your girlfriend is lucky to have a boyfriend such as yourself that is caring and concerned enough to search for some answers for her! I'm sure her appointment on the 8th will provide many of the answers you all have been waiting for. If perhaps she does happen to have lupus, there are many, many wonderful support groups available, both on the web and in person. You can find more information as to what is available to you through the Lupus Foundation of America, here is there web link as well. http://www.lupus.org/webmodules/webarticlesnet/templates/new_aboutintroduction.aspx?articleid=71&zoneid=9s

Best of luck to you and I hope your girlfriends doctors appointment goes well. Please keep us posted.

Melissa
Posted 1/3/2009 1:45 AM (GMT 0)
Joe,

You have one lucky girlfriend to have a boyfriend concerned enough to worry about her health and her symptoms. It sounds like her doctor has some positive results to discuss with her, or, if the results are negative, he wants to talk about her symptoms. It's important that she go to her doctor's appointment armed with appropriate information to hand to the doctor. If you'll go to the main lupus page, then check Lupus Resources, you'll find a wealth of information. As you scroll down the page you'll find an entry by Always Rosie dated 10/18/07 and you'll find a list of things to take to a doctor's appointment. She may not be taking scripts or have any other doctors, but I'd urge her to write down a list of any and all symptoms she has and has ever had, whether or not she thinks they might be pertinent.

If she does have an autoimmune disease, I hope she'll see a Rheumatologist. And direct her to this website. It's a great source of information and support for both of you.

Let us know what happens next week at her appointment. Until then, don't worry.

Pat
Posted 1/3/2009 2:26 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Joe,

 

Wow. I'll say!! I was thinking the same thing.  Your girlfriend is one very lucky lady to have you be such an advocate for her health issues.

 

I don't have anything else to add.  Melissa and Pat have given you very good advice and links to more information. Feel free to drop in anytime with questions or updates.

 

Blessings,

Ginny

Posted 1/6/2009 7:23 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Everyone!

Thanks so much for everyone who responded, she now has a checklist shes going to show her doctor and her appointment which is still on the 8th, I'll make sure to keep this thread updated :) Thanks for the support, it means the world to some people.

Joe
Posted 1/7/2009 4:03 PM (GMT 0)
Wow Joe she sure is a lucky lady you must really love her. You are a very special man. Most would have left her or told her to just get over it. I just hope she relizes how lucky she is.
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