I am on a progesterone cream because of high estrogen (gyno wouldn't do blood tests to confirm it though). I'm looking for a new gyno because the old one has retired, hopefully I will find some...
Hey, I haven't posted in a while but I've been checking in from time to time. Hope everyone has been doing alright? Well, it looks like I might be starting to experience early menopause or...
My in-laws introduced me to something called penaten cream which is made by johnson & johnson. It calms mine down. I put some on at night and leave it on... towel across the pillow. And/or I spread...
I bet they will probably draw your blood there during your visit. The 2 different rheumatologists I saw had a mini lab in their office, they drew the blood in office and it seemed like they processed...
I believe lupus related thrombocytopenia can cause this. I've always bruised easy and a bit slow to stop bleeding, nothing extreme and nothing indicated on recent bloodwork. But it makes me wonder...
Joy you pretty much nailed it. The only thing I would add is avoid high stress or find ways to cope with it. That's something I personally struggle with very much. I think I freaked the rheumy out...
Who can't find out what it is? Has anyone considered that she may have appendicitis? Appendicitis is a medical emergency....
Thanks Joy. Odd that they mention 2 specific antibiotics bactrim and spectra but no mention of penicillin. There are rumors that melatonin can be both good and bad for lupus. I love me some cayenne...
It's good that you and your dr's caught this quickly. Just take 1 day at a time, listen to your body, avoid sun exposure and stress, don't over do it. I figured out that milk/meat contaminated with...
It's my understanding that the iga igg and igm tests are tests for antibodies that attack certain areas of the body. Basically a positive on those tests proves you have high antibodies but doesn't...
1st off I'd say it's time to discuss your concerns with your PCP and see what further testing you need done. My husband's first diabetes symptoms were fatigue, constant urge to urinate, and extreme...
I have stretch marks all over my body thanks to my first child/pregnancy. I used cocoa butter cream diligently. Didn't work not one little bit. I have very pale skin. Several yrs later the stretch...
It seems that your ear and throat symptoms could be related to your headache. Like something could be going on with your inner ear, perhaps an infection. If your regular dr is not helping you out, go...
The number you are looking for is the ANA titer and pattern if available. Some dr's office's use their own labs with their own results. For example my PCP had lab work done by the hospital, which...
Have you or any of your dr's considered that lupus is affecting your liver? I wouldn't stop the plaquenil without talking to your rheumy. You might even want to see a liver specialist who has...
Hopefully your nephrologist is experienced with autoimmune diseases that can affect the kidneys. I have a cousin who had to take chemo pills to overcome lupus nephritis. I hope you find a good rheumy...
I've heard of a connection between celiac disease and thyroid issues. Something about the gluten protein is very similar to a thyroid protein and the same antibodies involved with celiac disease can...
My husband was dx'd with diabetes in January, he has always ridden a rollercoaster of high and low blood sugar. 1-2 symptoms are similar to his low sugar episodes, but it's my understanding that...
To me it sounds like you could have several autoimmune diseases, which is not unusual. A positive Ana and hla-b27 aren't conclusive to a lupus diagnosis. A good rheumatologist will consider your...
Joy this sounds a lot like a mini stroke or TIA. I knew a lady who described very similar symptoms and expressed to me her fears of driving because of such episodes. Her dr said she was having mini...
It's possible you may have lupus, but other autoimmune diseases can share similar symptoms. I had to stop wearing contacts due to dry eyes and irritation. I have some sort of lesion on the retina in...
A diagnosis would be made off of your symptoms and if any of your other bloodwork comes back positive. A migraine and high ANA alone isn't much to go on. Are you having any other symptoms? Make sure...
I know a lady with lupus who recently had similar experiences. She's had a hard time sleeping, she's forgotten chunks of time, even forgotten who she's talking with, and sleepwalks. She was diagnosed...
Have you ever been tested for Lyme disease?...
I just reread my writing and wanted to clarify that I didn't mean gluten free doesn't work for celiac disease. I just meant the similarities between the symptoms could very easily lead someone to...
I totally agree with acquiesce also. I went 100% gluten free for over a yr. I lost some weight and had less indigestion but that was it. It didn't help with ANY of the other problems, if anything it...
Not a dr either but when I was looking up the difference between ssdna and dsdna, the double stranded was almost exclusive to lupus. That along with symptoms sound like indicators for lupus or...
I will definitely ask. Colon cancer also runs in the family among a couple others, and it tends to hit my family at an earlier age. So that is always a worry at the back of my mind. Whatever it is I...
About 3-4 yrs ago I wound up in the ER. Severe abdominal pain lasting for hours, nausea, diarrhea, bad smelling burps. Symptoms were aggravated after eating. At the time they suspected my gallbladder...
You could try honey, as long as she's not allergic to it, just a little bit per day might help. And it wouldn't be an extreme diet change. I also recommend beeswax soap (not body bars). Honey and...
My children had 5ths disease a couple yrs ago and my husband caught it from the kids. It didn't affect me at all. My husband felt extremely tired, broke out on his hands and suffered a lot of pain in...
That's a good attitude to have. Things usually have a way of working out for the better when you stay true to yourself (and your beliefs). I was able to work from home and spend quality time with my...
I had a similar experience with a previous employer during my 2nd pregnancy. I worked in a dental office associated with a hospital. It did not start out bad at first, until I started prenatal...
Some people get flushed in the face or elsewhere after drinking alcohol. It has to do with how well your body metabolizes alcohol. My first rheumy said the same exact thing 'lupus rash takes weeks to...
I think this is one of those 'people who have lupus are at a higher risk of developing diabetes or heart disease' and so on. My husband was just diagnosed with it in January. It was quite a...
I third what couchtater said. Some dr's are heartless and/or only in it for the money. Do some dr's get commission for prescribing name brand medications like some antidepressants or what....
I just wanted to add my 2 cents, if he is a good rheumy then he is probably worth the wait. And his patient schedule may be full. I had to wait 4 months to get in with my rheumy and 3 months for the...
I know Lyme disease is global and widespread across the us. It is definitely in the uk and Australia. There is an interesting documentary called 'under our skin' which you can find on YouTube which...
I noticed that you said you had a radical change in your diet before the onset of your symptoms. I think this is something you should discuss with your PCP to make sure you are not also malnourished...
Déjà vu. I went to a PCP with a list of symptoms. Just laid everything out on the table and told her I felt it was all connected to the same issue somehow, like maybe it was my thyroid. I let her run...
I'd try to get in with a rheumy experienced with lupus and if you're still not sure, call up your old rheumy. Your insurance may have changed but most insurances still provide some limited coverage...
Congrats on finding a good dr and finding a firm path towards a diagnosis! My bloodwork was high positive ana, there was nothing else abnormal in my bloodwork other than vitamin d deficient, low b12...
Have you also considered other diseases like celiac and/or Cohn's disease? It could be something like that as well as lupus. Possibly high estrogen. I'm sensitive to gluten, wouldn't surprise me if I...
I have very similar skin rashes/reactions. I think you should consider 2 things: polymorphous light eruption or PMLE and an overreaction to stress hormones. Both could be related to autoimmune...
I dunno, some of your symptoms sound similar to around the time my arches fell. My feet were swollen and hurting all the way to the back of my heels. I ignored it and stayed on my feet just wanting...
I will ask the rheumy. I bought a heater with a high heat setting before Christmas and usually wear two layers (long sleeve shirt with a pullover and sometimes my jacket too) and I still get chilled...
Some of your symptoms sound similar to chronic hepatitis. It can lay dormant in your system and re-emerge during times of stress or other illness. Similar to chicken pox and shingles. Your mouth...
I'm not always the most self observant person in the world but yesterday I just noticed my nails are two-tone. Not sure how long they have been this way. They are pale with a dark band before the...
I tried getting mine at Walmart and by the time the prescription was switched it cost $40 after insurance. Then both pharmacies wanted $40 and informed me that my insurance paid over $200. I'm scared...
Oh I missed where you said protective clothing! Thank you for mentioning it again. I may try the hat, I do need to wear my hair down more often too. I also love the protective clothing idea and...