Questions and concerned:(

[Jjd421]

I have PTSD and I have for the last year been having really weird symptoms, chronic ear infections treated with antihistamines and antibiotics. It still keeps coming back. It's a build of pressure feeling in my ear that is just obnoxious. I also have heavy periods that last over 7 days. Joint pain, unexplained bruising and red dots that show up. A lot of hand and leg cramping. I drink a lot of water, and a few months ago I got a cbc and it came back normal. I also have had kidney stones since I was 12 that are genetic and not induced by diet. My kidneys seem to always hurt and I have dropped twenty pounds in the last two months. I feel like because I have PTSD my doctors think they are psyochosymatic. I have a child and I feel fatigue all the time and I truly feel something is wrong. I have no clue what to do or how to go about this, please anyone with some type of advice help me out in any way. I am someone who never complains about health but I have this feeling something is wrong.

[lupus-support1 Administrator]

Welcome to LUpus Patients Understanding & Support (LUPUS) at HealthUnlocked.

I am sorry to read about yourself. PTSD is very distressing in itself. I hope you are getting help/psychotherapy for this condition. Depending on the trauma, will depend on what may be helpful to you.

One blood test - and this may or may not have included specialist blood tests, does not determine an autoimmune disease such as lupus.

You mention weight loss and the question asked should include whether you are eating the same and losing weight; or not having an appetite. Are you doing more exercise than usual?

Kidney stones is unrelated to lupus - but nevertheless can be very painful. Kidney involvement in lupus is usually painless, which is why this could be fatal because there was no means of diagnosing renal failure 50 years ago.

Have you always had painful periods? If not, I recommend your seeing a gynaecologist.

Joint pain, unexplained bruising and red dots. If these are new symptoms, your doctor should investigate irrespective of whether your doctor believes this to be psychosomatic. Any physical condition must be ruled out. When did this bruising and red dots start. Has your doctor seen these red dots?

If you feel there is something wrong then you must see your doctor and convince him/her that whatever s/he thinks, you know your body. Your symptoms may or may not be related. Your symptoms may or may not indicate something. Only your doctor can determine the cause.

I am sure you understand the meaning of psychosomatic and unfortunately, some doctors assume this to be the case. I am aware of many female patients having to fight doctors for many years until one doctor has been able to diagnose their condition. I am not saying that I believe this to be the case for you because I am not a medical doctor; and any diagnosis requires more than one blood test. Diagnosis for autoimmune conditions can literally take years in some cases - but, the patient can still be treated for their symptoms.

We also have another website called the LuPUS Message Board where you can also post questions and talk to other people. Registration is FREE and we offer free information and free online psychological support. We specialise in psychological support with our own counsellor/psychotherapist available.

By becoming a Member, you will have access to the private forums and because they are private, only Members have access and even bots and search engines are forbidden.

When you register, please use the following format for entering your date of birth: nn-nn-nnnn where n=number. Please use the "-" separator and not "/".

Finally, please go to: lupus-support.org/LuPUSMB and Sign Up.

I look forward to talking with you more!

Sometimes we need to talk to people who understand and who are not family or friends.

With good wishes!

Ros

Disclaimer: No attempt is made to diagnose or to make any medical judgement. You are advised to seek the advice from your own physician. LUpus Patients Understanding & Support (LUPUS) is not a substitute for your own doctor.

[Jjd421 in reply to lupus-support1]

Thank you so much, I will be sure to register. I have always ate healthy and do yoga and meditation, non of that has changed. My blood pressure yesterday was 140 over 100 and I am currently 112 pounds. So it's pretty high, and I have always had low blood pressure. Hopefully I can get some type of answers soon.

[lupus-support1 Administrator in reply to Jjd421]

I can identify with what you are saying about your BP as this happened to me as well. It is very important to get your BP under control - and to make sure your kidneys are functioning as they should. I also hope you are seeing a lupus specialist.

Please do - validation is not automatic as I personally register each person to try and ensure there are no spammers! Please allow 24 hours. Any problems, you can email me here: roz [at] [lupus-support] [dot] [org] [dot] [uk]

With good wishes,

Ros