Lupus or not?

SPED

New Member

Joined : Dec 2008

Posts : 5

Posted 12/8/2008 8:41 PM (GMT 0)

I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia today. But i also noticed last evening that I had a red rash on my cheeks. I have seen pics on the internet of thebutterfly rash but have also seen pics of rosacea. Now, this was a sudden onset,, not something that came about slowly and progressed. I did have blood work done that came back negative for lupus or any other rheumatoid disease. But I did not have the rash at the time. Any feedback would be helpful.

Lynnwood

Forum Moderator

Joined : May 2005

Posts : 8160

Posted 12/8/2008 8:58 PM (GMT 0)

Welcome to our Lupus Forum! Red cheeks can be symptoms of a variety of illnesses - as well as other reasons like nervousness over that new Fibro dx! or winter's dry skin - so it's quite unlikely you have lupus. Check out the 4 of 11 link in my signature - you need to have at least 4 of the 11 symptoms listed by the Lupus Organization to be diagnosed with lupus. Then be sure to let us know if you have more specific questions, Cheers,

Ginny

Veteran Member

Joined : Feb 2003

Posts : 5514

Posted 12/8/2008 10:45 PM (GMT 0)

Hi SPED,

I'm sorry you were diagnosed with Fibro today. That breaks my heart. I have Fibro - bad. I know what you're dealing with here....

The red cheeks are exactly what Lynnwood said they could be too. If your lupus panel of blood tests came back fine, you're probably dealing with something very benign. I have never had the lupus rash (which made my diagnosis of lupus a lot harder to make), but I do have a slight redness to my cheeks most of the time. Nothing over the bridge of my nose which is classic lupus butterfly rash.

If you're concerned, take a picture of it. That way you have some evidence to show your rheumy.

Blessings,

Ginny

okie

Veteran Member

Joined : Dec 2006

Posts : 2818

Posted 12/9/2008 12:28 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Sped, I'm sorry to hear about your fibro dx. I don't have it but some really wondeful people in this group do and it just breaks my heart what they have to go through. So many people ask the same question you did. Is it or isn't it? I've been coming here for 2 years take all the meds for it and have been to 3 different rheumies and I still don't have a dx. a small amount of people are dx'd with lupus even though they never have a possitive ANA. It could take years to figure it out. At this point in what doctors know about autoimmune diseases I think we are fortunate to at least be receiving meds to help with the symptoms.
like the others said please keep us informed. there is a great fibro site on here as well if you havn't checked it out they might be of some help.
hugs
carol

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