Hi, I have undifferential connective tissue disease and to see if it is definitive lupus, I had a biopsy of my skin today. It takes about three weeks for the results... has anyone has this done? Veej, you mentioned something about that in the past???

Janmar, yes, your memory is correct. I had multiple deep punch biopsies on my upper arms. "Multiple", because the early labs failed to do stain tests. Only later did I learn how stupid a lapse that was. My previous biopsies all showed lupuslike cell changes along the dermal-epidermal junction. The early lab reports stated that, yet my then-drs. didn't react. And didn't tell me.

Dr. Wallace discusses the stain tests in his hardcover. Apparently the chemicals used will light up certain immunoglobulins in a characteristic way that's seen *only* in lupus. So if the pathologist sees that, he's sure you have some form of lupus---but not which kind, meaning full-blown SLE, mild SLE, SCLE, etc. It's for your rheumie or dermie to determine the kind & extent of your lupus, based on the usual ACR criteria.

Success is variable, depending on age of lesions, on whether the punch is from lesional or non-lesional skin, and photo-exposed or not-photo-exposed skin. My last punch was on a new lesion on photoexposed skin, so finally :rolleyes: my timing was optimal.

I ran in circles for years, because I was ANA-negative, which seemingly happens more often with anti-Ro-style lupus. The stain tests, I was told, are an excellent tool for people whose symptoms & other tests are non-classic.

Results took approx. 1 month for me. Here's hoping you get the same level of professionalism and clear results! Good luck & let us know how you're making out, OK? All my best, Vee

HI Veej, thanks for your input, you are so knowledgeable.The skin biopsy was taken from my upper buttock area. We will see what are the results in one month.... On one hand I would like it to be negative so nothing is wrong, yet on the other hand I would like to know something definitive. In any case, I am feeling a lot better and the rashes have subsided. I think stopping all meds and having the cortisone shot helped clear up things for now.... Thanks again.. Janmar