Posted by Larry Hoover on May 30, 2005, at 16:42:08
In reply to Lupus AND fibromyalgia... I'm on a roll, posted by Spriggy on May 29, 2005, at 11:11:15
> My gp (who is an internal meds doctor) diagnosed me with Lupus after 3 ANA tests came back positive and high ( I don't understand the number thing but it was like 1:180), I had the butterfly rash across my face, the joint aches, fevers, and something about my red count.
Sounds like SLE (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus), all right. There are many different sites on the Internet with support and information. Here's a good one:
http://www.lupus.org/education/whatis.html> Anyway, so he starts treating me for Lupus with prescription anti inflammatory meds and pain meds as needed.
It's really important to reduce the symptoms of a flare. The treatment is also something of a preventative, making it less likely you'll flare again.
> He then sends me to a neurologist this week who then pushes all over my body and then he diagnoses me with fibromyalgia.
>
> So I guess I am confused. Why do I need to have both? Can't I just have lupus? ROFL..Remember, you're a woman with symptoms, not a diagnosis. It helps, sometimes, to have a diagnosis, as a guide to management and treatment strategies. I'm not so sure that some diagnoses aren't much more that different expressions of one underlying pathology.
> Since they seem to mimick each other, why would I need to be diagnosed with lupus and fibromyalgia.
I'm sorry. This is a bit of a shock, eh? Searching for a diagnosis, any diagnosis, and getting two, one after the other.
> Is there a guiness record for how many diagnosis one person can get in the shortest amount of time?Now you know what you're dealing with.
> If not, please enter my name in the drawing. LOLFeel free to whine and moan, or joke around, as you see fit.
Hugs,
Lar
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:504674
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/health/20050411/msgs/505328.html