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Is it lupus?? Scared and confused :(

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Posted 9/4/2011 5:35 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone, this is my first post here.  I am a 31 year old female and here is my story...

In April I found out I was pregnant.  We were not planning to have a baby yet, but were both very excited.  Unfortunately, I lost the baby at just about 11 weeks.   During the time I was pregnant, I saw a high risk dr who ordered a bunch of blood work due to my dad's history of DVT's.  (blood clots)  The lupus anticoagulant test came back as "detected" according to my dr.  He said sometimes it can come back that way during pregnancy but may come back normal when they repeat the test.  So, I waited the 3 months, and had it rechecked about a week and a half ago.  My dr's office called me Wed and the nurse said it came back with a lot of clotting and was a high result.  Also, that they would refer me to a rheumatologist.  (sp?)

Needless to say, at this point, I am scared.  I'm not sure what these results mean, does it mean I have lupus, or could it be something else? 

Posted 9/4/2011 11:08 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry for your loss. ((((((((((gentle hug)))))))))

It's best not to "count your chickens before they hatch". It is a suggestion of possible Autoimmune issue. Only the Rhuematologist can tell you if it's lupus or something else.
Meanwhile, try to relax until you see the doctor. Worrying will just make you feel worse.
Posted 9/5/2011 10:02 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you so much Joy.  Just wondering, what will the rheumatologist do?  More bloodwork?  Other types of tests?  Wondering how they figure out whether it is lupus or something else.....

I would love to hear from others who may be going through the same thing or have been through it.....

Posted 9/5/2011 11:43 PM (GMT 0)
Most likely more bloodwork. My rheumy ran 10 different blood tests on me and a urinalysis.
He asked a lot of detailed questions and poked me some at the joints.
Posted 9/6/2011 7:58 PM (GMT 0)
Found out this morning they are actually sending me to a hematologist and not a rheumatologist.  Are they similar?  I'm waiting for them to call me to get an appt...at first they told me I could come in at the end of the month, but I told them I could not wait that long due to nerves.  :/
Posted 9/6/2011 10:48 PM (GMT 0)
Rheumatologists deal mainly with diseases that affect joints and muscles.
Hematologists deal with diseases of the blood.
Both can also deal with immunity problems.
Posted 9/8/2011 10:41 PM (GMT 0)
As to my knowledge, lupus anticoagulant does not necessary mean that you have lupus. You may have APS if lupus anticoagulant is found in your blood work. Sadly, I have lupus and have APS. If you have lupus anticoagulant, yeap, u need to see a hematologist.
Posted 9/17/2011 3:10 PM (GMT 0)
Well sweetie you have been through the ringer and waiting is not easy. Good luck and that is all I can say until you find out what it is you are dealing with. A heamtologist deals with blood disorders so if he finds something autoimmune he would refer you further to a rheumatologist I would imagine. Are you at all symptomatic of anything? Do you have thyroid problems are you having any.....well....issues? See I have had thyroid disease since I was 10 years old and had it removed in my early 20's, every single person in my family has an auto immune disease my son is a type1 diabletic and has hashimotos disease, my daughter had Graves Disease, my mom has hashimotos disease, the list goes on. I didn't stand a chance.
Good Luck honey!
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