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Ok so I know hardly anything about lupus

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Posted 1/18/2017 8:00 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,
I've had joint pains since forever and a few other symptoms. The joint pain is worst in my fingers, toes and knees. It sort of 'flares up', last week it was so bad I struggled to text or bend down, now I'm just achy again as usual.
I had a blood test saying I had a weak positive ANA and an elevated ESR of 23 and a CRP of <1.

I'm being referred to a rheumatologist and I am not sure what to expect as it seems my joint pain is getting slightly better recently. I might be fobbed off and told that there is nothing wrong with me?

I know that an elevated ESR and low CRP can indicate lupus. But it seems very much a long shot for the doctors to be thinking it's lupus

Sorry I'm just feeling a bit confused and alone in this. I don't know much about lupus or these kind of disorders.
Posted 1/18/2017 8:31 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Ziggs, Welcome to Healing Well.

There are two good places to start reading about Lupus and educating yourself. Check out www.lupus.org as well as our Lupus 101 thread (link below.)

However, any kind of joint pain is treated by a rheumatologist; you may have something much more benign that the rheumy can help you with. The most important thing now is just to make a list of your symptoms, severity, and duration. If certain things seem to make it better or worse, note them as well.

Don't worry about trying to decide if you have Lupus or something else - that is the rheumatologists job and it's best not to mention a specific diagnosis. You want your Drs to consider *everything* that might match your symptoms, not get locked into only thinking about whatever illness you might happen to mention.

When is your rheumy appointment? Feel free to ask us specific questions, and let us know how you are doing!
Posted 1/18/2017 9:21 PM (GMT 0)
They seem to be focusing on lupus because RA and athritis was ruled out from other tests. I don't think it's lupus, seems too bad to be true lol. Not sure when the appointment is, soon hopefully.
I will check out that link! Thanks!
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