Please help anyone - Lupus Message Board

mverwer · 12-19-2002, 07:20 PM

For the past several months I've had very strange symptoms - none of which seem to go together. I have chronic throat infections with no pain, I cough up blood for a week and then it goes away only to come back. I feel like I'm exhausted which is nothing new as a single mom of a 3 yr. old. Recently I was hospitalized for what at first was thought to be meningitis but it wasn't. My neck hurt, my chest hurt, I have been getting horrific headaches and phantom stomach pains, I'm dizzy, my arms feel weak and I have a strange rash on my face. I also was recently diagnosed with diabeties and polycystic ovary disease (from pre-menopausal symptoms). I feel sick to my stomach some days and not on others. I run a low grade fever many days and basically all I know is that my white blood cell count was 25,000 and SED rate 70. After 3 days on an IV it came down to 12,000 and SED rate 69. I was sent to an Internist who did a repeat blood test 4 days later and my WBC count as of 3 days ago was going back up. It was 17,000 and my sleen is enlarged and hurts to touch. He's sending me to an infectious disease specialist and I don't know what's going on. I'm scared and I have a cousin who has a severe case of Lupus. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks and Happy Holidays.

[This message has been edited by mverwer (edited 12-19-2002).]

Ceya · 12-20-2002, 07:10 AM

Sorry you have been so sick. I am no doctor but you may what to consult a rhem. I have some of your same symptoms. Have they done a ana blood test?
When I got sick, but looking back I had some symptoms before, the fatigue was terrible. Everyone kept telling me "well you work full time and have 5 kids you have a reason to be tired" but this is more that tired. no matter how much sleep, rest and care it never mad a difference". The rhem. was the first to really seem to understand what I was saying. I know lupus can effect all organs. I have trouble breathing at times feels like an weight is on my chest.
coughing blood would scare me to death, but I do know the lugs are and organ to. I had to female problems, this summer I had an overy removed and they did a hystorecomy. I did not want the hystorectomy, I wanted to try for one more. I have noticed that I don't have the constant labor pains that I use to have but I would have chosen to wait, given an option.
You might what to look around the other sights, rare disoders, ect.. I hope they find what is wrong. We are hear if you want to complain talk or need us.
Ceya
keep me posted, I am concerned for you.

mverwer · 12-20-2002, 07:37 AM

Thank you so much. That's exactly what I keep tryig to tell the doctor. I feel like someone is sitting on my chest. I have cramps and back pain too. No one has done that ana test and I'm not sure what a remy (is that what you called it?) is. I appreciate your support. It's nice to know I'm not losing my mine. Thanks. -M

AlisBaby · 12-27-2002, 08:20 AM

The 'remy' referred to is likely a rheumatologist -- the type of doctor who treats autoimmune diseases like Lupus. In Lupus, the white count is typically low, not high. I'm no doctor, but I think that infectious disease is a more likely culprit for your illness.

I wish you the best. Please let us know how you get on.