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Posted 8/15/2010 1:32 AM (GMT 0)
Can a Neurologist dx Lupus? or is it better to go to a family Dr.?

I am being tested for MS and have posted on that board and someone mentioned that I come over here and read up on Lupus.

I am in constent pain, I am so tired all the time. My feet kill me and I can hardly walk when I just go shopping at the mall or stores. This summer has been the worst for me, I get so sick when im outside. My face turnes red and I get dizzy/light headed and sweat so much.

Anyone know if heart palapations, are common with Lupus? I have been put on atenolol for this.

Also, I am terribly embarressed to wear any kind of shirt that shows my back as I have a rash all over the top half of my back, nomatter what I use it never goes away.

I have terrible joint pain, I am almost unable to walk at the end of a busy day some days.

My face has started on occasion to twitch, like my nostril or my upper lip, its not noticible to anyone, I can just feel it. (this is new).

I get these episodes of...vertigo, where everything just goes "zoom" for a few seconds, and then it goes away.

Ringing in my ears ALL the time.

I have spotty/blurred vision on occasion.

The biggest thing (besides the pain I am in) is, reciently in the past few months, I can't think straight, I can't find my words. I have short term memory loss, and I feel stupid.

I know I sound stupid when some things come out all wrong, even if its just ONE word, im so self consious now, that I am avoiding haing out with my friends. I can't understand what is going on with me. I just want an answer.

My Dr. sent me for MRI's and to a Neuro specialising in MS, but so far nothing has shown up.

When i posted on the MS board and saw the word LUPUS I was very courious...

Do these symptoms relate to Lupus?

Thank you for any help or suggestions in advance. I feel like im falling apart and I feel like things are happning really fast. Im scared and just want answers.

Posted 8/15/2010 2:20 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome,

Lupus is an auto-immune disease, and as such is related to arthritis and the relevant doctor is a rheumotologist, not a neuro and not a primary care dr or internist.

Lupus does not have one particular thing to diagnose it, instead it is recognized by a combination of symptoms. NOT like MS which is dx by brain lesions, there are lots of components and no individual tests proving lupus.

Learn more about diagnosis lupus here.

Your might want to read the top post, Lupus Resources, which answers a lot of questions.
Feel better,
Posted 8/15/2010 2:27 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you.
Posted 8/17/2010 3:47 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Angieohiogirl, I am sorry to hear you are feeling so bad. I have the same symtoms and was just finally diagnosed with lupus after a doctor sent me through a gammet of testing and to  a nuro to which he said I just think youre depressed. I wanted to scream. MRI, EEgs, I have had all the symtoms you are describing. my doctor (at the time) would explain them away, such as the dizzieness which got so bad I could not drive.  also heart palapataions,fatigue, sun sensitivity, memory problems and at times my body would hurt so bad I would need help just getting to an upright posistion. I had the same memory problems I could not form words and in mid sentence I would just space out. When I got diagnoesed I made the doctor repeat himself 3 times because i could not believe what I was hearing. I guess what I am trying to say is dont give up, I went to so many doctors just trying to find that one that would take me seriously, there were times I wanted to give up and almost did but I am so glad I just kept trying. Lynnwood gave good advice, there is no individual test to diagnose for Lupus. But seeing  rheumotologist is a good start they no more about it, more so than your primary doctor or a nuro.  Good luck on your journey to feeling better and getting the anwsers you need.

 

Posted 8/17/2010 10:56 PM (GMT 0)
I have been going through the same things. I forgot my address one day I just couldn't remember. My hubby got upset at my rheumy a couple weeks ago and He finally started to listen. No for sure diagnoses though. Good luck
Posted 12/6/2010 2:41 AM (GMT 0)
Wow, just read a list of my symptoms here. I've thought perhaps I'm going crazy. The mental thing is awful. I think my kids are so frustrated as I ask them the same question over and over sometimes within the same day.

I too have the rash, only mine is on my chest. It spreads to my upper back when it's really bad. I've had it since my last kid was born 14 years ago. Dermatologist cannot tell what it is, nor can every other kind of dr. Am currently awaiting a follow up appt with Rheumy to discuss test results and hopefully get a diagnosis and some help. I have the eye twitch, extreme fatigue, everything hurts, takes great effort and I'm exhausted before finishing anything physical. I say the wrong words -the wrong noun comes out frequently. My vision has gone downhill fast. Cannot read anything easily anymore.

So far rheumy says Fibromyalgia for sure, hopefully will have more info tomorrow. Hang in there, at least I know now that I'm not the only one...
Posted 12/12/2010 1:18 PM (GMT 0)
....nouns.....oh ya.I remember now.
Posted 12/12/2010 5:45 PM (GMT 0)
alot of things you have listed...i have them to...been where you are at and its not fun, still have issues. I hope they figure it out for you soon.
waves of hugs
Posted 12/13/2010 3:46 PM (GMT 0)
I am going to a rheumy now and have been for about 2-3 years. When I started complaining of some of the same symptoms you have he referred me to a neuro.

He said " chronic fatigue and muscle ache is fibro" everything else has to be something "neuro" and that is not my field.

Now why would he do that if "lupus" could be a possible diagnosis of all these symptoms and a rheumy is the one to diagnose and treat it??

I am confused. If the neuro should say that I have lupus or something like it, who will I go to for regular maintenance, the neuro or the rheumy?
Posted 12/13/2010 4:02 PM (GMT 0)
*laughs*-thats rite,you are kinda in the same boat as me mscrowbar.Im going to see my 3rd rhumy today as the last one wants me to see her for some reason.what a frikin system eh?on my way out the door--->talk to ya later!
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