New to Board - Lupus Message Board

Rebecca492 · 04-23-2001, 03:32 AM

I have read with interest the postings here and other sites. I am a fifty year old female who was diagnosed with lupus 9 years ago. The next year after diagnosis I went to a different doctor to make for sure the treatment I was receiving for the lupus was correct. Then, I moved last year and had to switch doctors. The "new" rheumatologist did some lab work and told me I did not have lupus. It seems funny that people are still searching for diagnosis and I had one and they now say I don't have one. I have had the skin rash, loss of hair, sores in my mouth, joint aches and pains that are migratory in nature, chest pain, and for a couple of months out of the year I have hematuria and protein in the urine. It is frustrating for me to have had the diagnosis for 8 years then be told it is not lupus. Anyone out there hada similar experience?

Irish · 05-20-2001, 01:30 PM

Rebecca: I would be hunting still another rheumatologist to go to. I would be thrilled if my doctor told me I no longer had Lupus; however, I would definitely go to another one and not tell him the whole story. I would let him do all the tests and then tell me what the diagnosis was.

I believe that the Lord sometimes heals and perhaps this is one of those times. I would not wait around; I would be going to another doctor to see if he found any signs of Lupus. It would be wonderful if you really didn't have it.

Best of Luck!

Irish

Rebecca492 · 05-22-2001, 08:37 PM

Thanks Irish for the reply. I talked to my PCP and she told me not to worry that I did have lupus. Funny...isn't it that we search for a diagnosis and are happy when we have one. I guess it is that we don't want to think it is in our heads. One year ago, I forgot to mention, I had the most god awful pain in my hand. Couldn't move the thumb. A doctor that saw the lack of movement in my hand and the swelling said it is lupus. I am not settling for any diagnosis but I feel the PCP would recommend the best. I have a follow up appointment with her coming up. I hope I will get some answers about the confusion of the diagnosis....or lack of.
Take care