Hello!
It's my first time on here would be really grateful for some advice and info as I've been experiencing possible CNS probs over the last few months.
I'm 29 and have SLE and was diagnosed in 2011, so far it has just been affecting my skin, joints and a bit of lupus fog. I'm on MTX injections weekly, and Hydroxychloroquine, and etoricoxib.I have recently been in a flare (low c3 and c4levels) and I've been having horrendous night sweats, lost weight, general weakness, tingling and numbness particularly on my RH side. I've also had episodes where I have been spaced out, not 'with It' at all, and not been able to get the right words out, found it difficult to read fluidly etc and poor temp control with high blood pressure (I'm skinny so shouldn't have high bp). I work PT in a coffee shop and At work I've been so clumsy, dropping things and smashing Cups and plates and having weakness in my right hand and arm which means I have found it hard to carry them! I thought it was just 'one of those things', fatigue whatever -but now it seems to all make sense.
I went to see the rheumy yesterday (who has been brilliant) and he done some neuro obs, and some of my reflexes are apparently 'brisk' and I have slight weakness and he has ordered a brain and spine MRI and a loads of blood tests.
Basically, I am a bit scared, and I'd love to know what the heck 'brisk reflexes' mean?
My dr said with all the symptoms it could be to do with my autonomic nervous system because of the sweats and how my bp changes from laying down to standing up. (I've never had high bp in my life!)
So in the mean time I am apprehensive as to how it is going to affect me long term, what does CNS problems actually mean, with prognosis etc. and does it mean long term probs with movement, parasthenia, co ordination etc?
I'd love to hear from others who have had similar probs and any info!
Thanks, Heidi x