new to lupus, scared

Hi. My name is julie and I am on here for the first time. I recently had some blood work down due to swelling in my hands and sharp pain in my feet. I got the results back a few days ago and so far its looking like lupus. I am scared, and a friend of mine sent me a link to this website so I thought id see if maybe this could help me thru this difficult time.

Thank you so much patty. I feel so alone with all of this. I keep getting results and everyone seems to be worse and worse. How long since you were diagnosed? What symptoms did you have to start out if u dont mind me asking.

Thank u for sharing ;) I live in Washington state so we are in the rainy season right now. Right now im dealing with swollen hands and really bad pain in my heals. My wrist's feel broken in the morning and my joints r so stiff for the first few hours im up, and when I get home from work at night. I tested positive for my ana test, my set rate was high, and so is my wbc. I have a few others tests that had high levels as well. I havent gotten the actual diagnosis of lupus yet but its all pointing to it. Any thoughts on my labs?

Sounds familiar....
Today my hands are swollen and I have various joint pains.
Once you get on medications the fatigue will ease some. There's always some pain and swelling going on though.

Julie83, I was diagnosed 8 or 9 years ago. Your symptoms sound much like mine. Joy's right that being on the right meds will help. Lupus can be a very isolating disease, which is why the support you'll receive here is so helpful. Keep us updated on how you're doing.

So how old were u all when u were diagnosed? I just turned 31 2 weeks ago but have had symptoms for like 10 yrs. Just recently they have gotten worse.

I was diagnosed in 2002, at 44, after having severe fatigue for about 2 years.

Before that I owned my own software development business (not a home consultant, a real company with real employees!), ran marathons, and was doing the final research for my PhD...wasn't a lazy person by any means!

It got worse before it got better - aches, pains, burning in joints, and worst of all, measurable cognitive dysfunction. Couldn't drive a car safely or follow a 20-minute sitcom. I was on plaquenil and prednisone from the start. Next are the 3 regular meds - Imuran, Cellcept, and MTX. Imuran did nothing for me personally and Cellcept was my miracle drug that gave me back my brain; so I didn't have to try MTX. Slept, rested and hurt my way thru the 2000's.

Today I am med-free. Not able to manage a company or run a mile nor finish my PhD, but my brain is back and physically am doing fairly well.

So, in short - it can get better, it can get worse, some meds that help others won't help you, some meds that won't help others will help you. It's a disease of 10,000 faces -- every case is different! -- so getting a good match in a rheumy is essential, as you may be working together for a while.

Good restorative sleep (you may need a sleep study or sleep medication, esp. if you are on prednisone), fairly healthy eating (regular, balanced, nothing extreme), and regular mild exercise (maybe just a daily walk to the mailbox) can help a HUGE amount.

Be careful with OTC meds/supplements - despite what the marketers say, they may be counter productive with your body and your personal med regime - always check with your Dr first, including if you drastically alter your diet.

Stay calm & don't panic!

Hello everyone. I have been having a lot of problems. A few of my symptoms are extreme fatigue and I take adderall every day. I have painful swollen joints. I have swelling in my hands, feet, ankles and knee caps. I get a red rash on my face that I was told was roseca. I have had a lot of hair loss. I have problems it my toes and tips of my fingers turning purple and white and being very cold. I am unable to keep them warm it seems to be they are always like this but I have great pulses. I am very forgetful. I have dry eyes and mouth. And I just started menopause 2 yrs ago due to a complete hysterectomy. I had my doctor to order some labs and they cam back as:
AST: 11 Low
CRP: 9.5 High
ESR: 25 High
ANA Titer: 1:160 High
ANA Pattern: Homogeneous

I really thought this was Raynauds. I see you guys here are very willing to help. I am scared and worried Any information will help. Thanks

Oh yeah my ANA was 1:160 and pattern was Homogenous. Sad part is I did clinical research for a rhematologist and Lupus was one of my study. We did get a new drug approved which I am very proud of cause now I may need it. I keep getting the run around from my doctors and sad part is I know how it works but I sure forget a lot when it is me.

I have my first rhuemothoid appt. On the 18th and im super nervous.

So have u asked them to do a full panel to see if its lupus?

Welcome Bree,
Sounds like you're enjoying the thrills of Lupus right now. :-P

What medications are you on? Once the meds kick in a lot of the miseries you're feeling will fade some.

Make sure to protect yourself from UV rays. A lot of us are photosensitive and UV rays make us sicker. I'm very sensitive and have to wear special clothes to block all UV lights.
Sunlight, CF bulbs, Fluorescent lighting, Tanning beds, and halogen lights all emit UV rays. I can't be in the same room with a halogen bulb or I will feel so sick and weak.

Hang in there and stick around.

So im wondering on an ANA test, what does the hep2 cell range indicate?