Possible Lupus??? - Lupus Message Board

DionneH · 11-08-2002, 05:47 AM

Hi. I am new to this board. Have some questions. To make a long story short.....Have been very unwell for over 3 years now. It all started after a very severe ear infection in both ears around April of 1999. I have never felt well since. Since then, I have been suffering with many health problems that I feel are all related. Have just been found to have severe anemia. Have had 3 ESR tests which have all been raised, losing hair, extreme fatigue, mouth ulcers, pains in my ankles, unexplained blisters that appear on my fingers and then go away, migraines, VERY heavy periods which last nearly 2 weeks, always cold especially hands and feet, and I could go on and on. Have only just convinced my GP to send me for a "lupus blood test" whatever that means. He said if that comes back negative we can rule out lupus. That has me worried as I feel that is what I have and now my only hope for treatment is based around this blood test! I have felt this way for over 3 years! Does this sound familiar to anyone? I live in the UK and dont know if that affects how long or if I will get diagnosed.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

Dionne

Janrenann · 11-08-2002, 06:47 AM

Hello,

Hopefully your doctor is checking your ANA levels, also for rheumatoid arthritis and scleroderma..these are other autoimmune disease (as is Lupus) that have similar symptoms. DOn't know your health insurance situation.. but perhaps you can persuade your doctor to send you to a rheumatologist..that would be your best bet... get online ASAP and learn all you can about Lupus, it's symptoms..and other autoimmune diseases/disorders..once you are better educated..you have a lot more leverage in convincing your Dr. in ordered tests etc...

Good luck

Denise F · 11-08-2002, 12:08 PM

Just remember one blood test can not rule out Lupus.
Lupus doesn't always show up all the time in blood
tests as the levels go up and down a lot.
That's why they take all the symptoms into consideration
when diagnosing Lupus. Sorry, you're having such a
bad time. If you want something to do yourself that might
help while you are trying to find help from a Dr.
check out Dr. Weil's site. He has some good suggestions
for diet, vitamins, herbs and relaxation techniques
that I follow that have helped me.

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