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is 'lupus rash' actually Lyme?

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Posted 12/15/2016 9:50 PM (GMT 0)
Although I DO realize noone can seriously answer this question without seeing my husband, but I was hoping for support so as to convince him to at least get a Lyme test...

Some VERY significant things occurred. In late August, at a campground, I removed a tick from the top of his head. He was sitting at the picnic table when I proceeded to remove what I first thought was debris from walking under low growing trees. There were deer roaming just feet behind our campsite.

Then, last month he spent three different weekends traipsing in the woods, hunting. One of those trips resulted in his comrade shooting a deer. They said they could visibly see all sorts of ticks and insects scatter an hr after it ly there. My husband handled the animal and transported it. (Im sorry if this offends anyone).

Now today, he's got a very red & swollen rash on upper cheeks, acrossbridge of nose, and eyebrow area. Also, a slight blotchy rash around base of neck.

These past 6 weeks he's developed pain and stiffness in his neck, knuckles, and hips. And a weekly headache. Yesterday he had severe lower back pain, near the kidneys.

So now today, this rash that looks exactly like lupus butterfly rash.

He thinks its drug induced from a brand new prescription he started yesterday, called invokana. His Dr. added that to his diabetes protocol due to his A1c going up(another Lyme sign?) A drug induced lupus rash doesnt explain the arthritic pain, headaches, and fatigue that hes been experiencing several weeks now!

Uhg...how can I convince him to at least get a Lyme test?
Posted 12/15/2016 9:59 PM (GMT 0)
Lyme is usually a bull's eye rash. I am sure you have seen pics on the net. A lyme bull's eye to me looks like a bug bite, but with a definite ring pattern.

Lupus is more of a rash, like a baby heat rash and it is as you describe - butterfly across the nose and on the cheeks.

He should see a doctor. Since you suspect lyme and you think his symptoms coincide, maybe find him a llmd.

Here, give him this test to take.

lymeontario.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Horowitz-Questionnaire.pdf
Posted 12/15/2016 10:13 PM (GMT 0)
Since Lupus is an autoimmune disease...and Lyme is often misdiagnosed for autoimmune diseases...even though the malar rash is not a bulls-eye...it is possible it triggered an autoimmunity.


Its' not unheard of for people with lyme to test and have ANA (indicative of autoimmune disease)

Just order the test...and then do your best to convince him.
Posted 12/15/2016 11:00 PM (GMT 0)
Yes lyme can cause a lupus rash, I am a male and like your husband like to hunt. I have also had the malar rash come and go for the past year after I started treatment. My LLNP says the lyme toxin causes disruptions in blood flow resulting in blushing.
Adding to the confusion your husband could be right, you can develop a short term reactive lupus to medications and it is more common in men.

https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000446.htm

The next link goes over what causes the lupus rash and lyme is one of them. Don't give up I would talk to a LLMD to go over your options. It has been my experience if your symptoms don't match the diagnosis then something is wrong.

http://www.mollysfund.org/2012/11/the-lupus-butterfly-rash-or-malar-rash-information-you-need-to-know/#3
Posted 12/15/2016 11:18 PM (GMT 0)
MCS,

Welcome to the board. It sounds to me like your husband definitely has lyme. Exposure + actual tick + symptoms = Lyme.

Bites about the neck go neuro. very quickly. I know this because my son had two ticks on his ear seven years ago. Don't want to hijack your post but he tested negative (because he was tested too soon and I knew nothing about lyme at the time). It has created all types of health issues; both physical and psychological. He just got diagnosed in November. Before that he would get random odd rashes like you describe and lots of other symptoms as well.

I also want to add that it sounds like you found it early so that is good news. I know a man who had lyme and cos and has diabetes, which makes healing a little more challenging, and he is fine today.

So don't worry too much but insist he get tested. Please keep us posted.
Posted 12/16/2016 12:44 AM (GMT 0)
Goodness - trying to convince a spouse to get tested. I've been trying for nearly a year now. Mine had a tick bite with a bulls eye rash, and the more I think about it, the more I'm convinced I've had this a lot longer than when I had exposure in CT. Not so much the rash, but the exposure and symptoms ring as highly suspicious to me. Do you think he would be willing to consider taking this online screening tool developed by Dr. Horowitz? It convinced me I needed to consider a tick borne illness. My score was close to 100. Anything over 46 he suggests discussing a tick infection with your Dr.
www.tiredoflyme.com/horowitz-lyme-msids-questionnaire.html
Posted 12/16/2016 9:16 AM (GMT 0)
Greg fascinating insight!
Posted 12/16/2016 2:42 PM (GMT 0)
I had a rash on my face for a year - it was more pustular and was diagnosed as Rosacea. I can remember reading about lupus though and being scared. I tried all topical meds from Derm (did not work) but it did finally go away with minocycline. I think this was one of my most early signs. 6 months later developed all over body itching - which I now believe was neurological.
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