Posted by spriggy on September 22, 2005, at 13:28:44
My dr. had her partner come in with her to evaluate me.My fevers have been chronic now for about 9 weeks. They were chronic before and then disappeared for a few months- then came back.
I've had swollen lymph glands since, a goiter on my thyroid, sore throats periodically, and the last 10 days I've had several strange rashes appear.
Anyway, this facial rash apparently is the classic "butterfly"/malar rash for lupus. My doctor is now convinced it is indeed lupus.
They did not do a spinal tap- instead they are sending me to a rheumatologist.
They ran 4 more tubes of blood (pretty soon, I'll have none left).
So... the present conclusion is Epstein Barr and likely a lupus flare.
I have to go on steriods.
Not happy about that.
Other than that, all they can do is hydrocodone for aches/pains/fever. The stuff doesn't really help me, just makes me feel like I'm in a brain fog.
I just really, really want to feel totally well again.
Oh and Tamara J- they ran ANOTHER thyroid panel yesterday, I have no idea *what* exactly. My TSH is always considered normal, I did have an elevated T3 once. Other than that, it always looks fine on paper.
Thanks for the advice though. You are a sweetie.
poster:spriggy
thread:558149
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/health/20050411/msgs/558149.html