Have I got lupus?

[justellis]

Hi guys, ive been suffering for years, its only been recently that I have thought that I can not be that unlucky to have so many different things wrong with me, over the last 10 years I have had, meningitis, migraines, carpol tunnel syndrome, swollen finger joints and feet, constant lower back pain, hair loss, and pleurisy. Please let me know what you think and how would I get my doctor to listen to me?.

[MaryF]

Hi, you do sound a bit Lupusy, but also look at Hughes Syndrome to rule it out, and also your thyroid, the carpel tunnel is a clue.. and thyroid problems usually trundle along and join the party with autoimmune! Mary Fx

[justellis in reply to MaryF]

Over the years I have been tested for rumatoid arthritis, gout, thyroid, anemia, the doctors have witnessed joint swelling, I have had the opereation to relieve carpol tunnel, I have pleurisy at the moment, its the second time ive had it inthe space of 4 months, doctors have sent me for chest xray but not sure what it will show, my doctor is rubbish, I also get a bad rash over my face when I get sun burn. And have suffered from acne for as long as I can remember, im 31 and feel like an old woman.

[MaryF in reply to justellis]

The thyroid tests are crap... join Thyroid UK.. and see what they say: youtube.com/watch?v=lyc8N_m...(Not working as expected?) and make your GP refer you to a rheumatologist.. and if he/she won't see another GP in the practice. Best of luck. Mary F x

[justellis in reply to MaryF]

Thank you, will be making an appointment tomorrow.

[MaryF in reply to justellis]

Dr's are not great with thyroid issues, but untreated it can cause problems including acne! MF

[Purpletop]

Just ask your doctor to run an autoimmune nuclear antibody (ANA) test on you and if that is positive then to refer you to a rheumatologist. Even if it isn't positive, say that the way you feel makes you think it may be lupus, so can he refer you. Say you've had enough of feeling poorly, he obviously don't seem to get to the bottom of it all and you need answers. Don't let him pat you on the head while gently ushering you out of the door - calmly repeat what you want until he realises there is no other choice but to get you to a rheumatologist. Then the specialist can have a proper look and he'll take it from there.

[justellis in reply to Purpletop]

Ive been back to my doctors and suggested lupus to him, he seemed to mock me by saying that because I havent had repeated miscarriages then its highly unlikely I have lupus, also said that weight loss is a huge clue too,(looking at me as if to say im far too fat to have it) he is sending me for a full blood test this coming thursday so if that comes back normal then I dont know what to do next,

[MaryF in reply to justellis]

Please be aware that doctors often do not pick up thyroid issues... on clinical symptoms, also the testing parameters are too narrow and the tests themselves notoriously unreliable. Please have a look at the charity website for Thyroid UK and look at the symptoms.. and see if any bells ring! Mine was not picked up despite my four other diseases, but I went to a private nutritionist who used to be a GP and it was so. Symptoms: thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

and the site itself, plus they have a forum here on TUK: thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/index....

Mary F

[Purpletop in reply to justellis]

I don't get what miscarriages and weight loss have to do with lupus. I didn't have either and still have lupus. Don't give up, if the results come back normal you should still insist to be seen by a rheumatologist - say that you're not convinced that it isn't something autoimmune and for your peace of mind you want to be referred. If he refuses, ask him to write a letter to you setting out the reasons for refusing, hopefully that will make him think twice before refusing again.