skin biopsy

[silverbeatl]

If dermatologist did a biopsy of my scalp and said it was psoriasis could they be wrong? Could I still have lupus and they just don't know how to recognize it? I have so many of the other lupus symptoms and tested positive on the DSDNA test but was negative on the ANA.

[kittykat68]

I was diagnoised by biopsys 1 of my scalp and 6 of my skin, id never even heard of lupus, I have subcutaneous lupus erytherdermus,that was 5 years ago, ive researched constantly to educate emyself, hope thats helped

[Hidden]

I'm guessing that you know that Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease of the connective tissue same as Lupus? So it is quite possible to have both Lupus and Psoriasis because autoimmune diseases often overlap and having one makes it more likely that you might develop another.

Mixed Connective Tissue Disease and Undifferentiated CTD are both examples of this kind of overlap disease.

Also there is Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA) which is seronegative (negative autoantibodies) and it is possible to have this without any Psoraisis or only a tiny bit - say on your scalp. PsA is another very insidious type of inflammatory arthritis of the Spondoarthritis family and can present in many ways and cause a number of similar symptoms to Lupus and RA - including neurological ones.

The important thing is to get a referral to see a rheumatologist now I would say.

[Gillian9 in reply to Hidden]

Hi, I have SLE and PsA with only a 2-3 little patches of psoriasis, so it is ver possible. I was diagnosed with Lupus 15y ago but only 3months for PsA.

[silverbeatl in reply to Hidden]

I have seen a rheumatologist and based on my test results she thinks its some connective tissue disorder. She said that she didn't think that I met enough of the criteria for lupus even though I had the positive DSDNA test. I'm just so confused as to what I really have because I have so many different symptoms that all appear to be autoimmune related. Once I get health coverage again, I'm going to a new rheumatologist to see what they say. I was told that I should get retested to see if my numbers have changed at all.

[paula1969 in reply to silverbeatl]

Hi i have butterfy rash 4years now and ANA negative DNA not even been checked yet and never seen rumy yet ! My body rashes are lichen planus and been on methotrexate 2 years with no results. I have lupus symtems joint pain fatigue dry mouth and still feel like im fighting for answers tried all pain killers on neurontin now which also doesnt work so im like you getting nowhere x

[silverbeatl in reply to Hidden]

I wonder how doctors can tell the difference between PSA and lupus

[silverbeatl in reply to Hidden]

Is there a blood test for PsA? I tested negative on ANA but positive on DSDNA a couple of months ago. I am planning on getting retested in the near future.

[Hidden in reply to silverbeatl]

I believe the difference would be fairly clear to most dermatologists rather than through blood.

I had skin biopsies taken from my neck (looking for lupus) and calves and both showed up for something relating to autoimmune disease but not conclusive - and not showing the small fiber nerve damage (calves) that they were looking for.

I do sometimes get a terribly itchy scalp but the GP thought this was dermatitis/ eczema rather than psoriasis.

[janann]

The biopsy would have been looked at by a pathologist who are highly skilled. I would completely trust the diagnosis. As someone mentioned previously I would see a rheumatologist and hopefully you will get some answers.

[silverbeatl in reply to janann]

I do remember the dermatologist saying though that the test results would not mean that I do not have lupus.

[notoverthehill]

Adeangelo he attends same consultant as I do.and his diagnosis is Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA

regards

Jean

[paula1969]

I was told i had lupus then skin biopsy on back and head said lichen planus which i have had for past 4 years. I have the lupus face rash severe pain light sensitivity and ana negative so i am like u i think it is lupus crossover still not seen rheumatologist

[silverbeatl in reply to paula1969]

Does everyone who has lupus have the butterfly face rash or is that only seen in people with late stage full blown lupus?

[Diagnosed2012]

I was diagnosed with discoid lupus first after a skin biopsy. Later skin biopsies showed no signs of discoid lupus, so they came to the conclusion I had psoriatic arthritis. I've had other complications too, so they said I was having lupus flares too. Though my blood tests rarely show the lupus markers. As Twitchytoes says, there is a whole family of auto-immune disorders, and lupus and psoriasis are two types. Hopefully your symptoms calm down.

[kimc]

The biopsies uses to send to the lab for test, the results come from the lab (not from the doctor). From time to time, the overlap can appears, the blood results also regconized.

Lupus is a mysterious desease, we're always questioning about it don't matter how long we diagnosed, depends on ages, environment, physical and mentally we're living in.

The second opinion won't hurt, if it gives you more confident about what you're having or not.

Good lucks.

[silverbeatl in reply to kimc]

the dermatologist told me that the biopsy wouldn't say whether or not I had lupus but would tell us whether the stuff on my scalp was psoriasis or something else. I guess my question is can one have lupus AND psoriasis? because my DSDNA test was positive.

[silverbeatl in reply to kimc]

can a biopsy tell the difference between psoriasis and lupus from a sample taken from the scalp?

[kimc in reply to silverbeatl]

Yes, the biopsies can tell exactly what's a person got ...in my case, my doctor told me I got SLE, when he referred me to Rheumatologist, she did a blood test and said the same thing, but I keep asking her the same what did I get?

My impression that after 2 years, I still questioning about it...I don't believe that I got SLE. You wanted to writing down or the symptoms, even take the pictures and show your doctor to the next doctor visit. I normally get blood test every 3 months for monitoring my symptoms.

Good Lucks

[silverbeatl in reply to kimc]

I have a lot of joint pain so I know I can't JUST have psoriasis even though that's what they say I have on my scalp. The rheumatologist said something about a connective tissue disease but why then would my DSDNA test be positive? I thought that was fairly specific to lupus. I also have weird pitting on my nails, get tired very easily and have issues with my memory. I just wish I knew exactly what I had so I could get appropriate treatment. I just wish I knew whether it was psoriasis, PSA, lupus or whatever else it could be. I am currently taking plaquenil for whatever it is the rheumatologist says I have (some kind of connective tissue disorder).

[kimc in reply to silverbeatl]

Yes, it's all about connective tissue disorder leads the body to inflammation, all aggressive mentally or physical would make body gets tired easily. Needs to reduce alcohol or stop even better, easy digest foods, void fried foods and sugar because they're inflammation foods, reduce stress and give yourself a lots of rest...you will feel better, it's the way to control the disconnecting tissue. Good lucks

[Hidden]

But I avoid all bad foods and alcohol and known inflammation triggers and still get sick so this lifestyle changes aren't always enough.

I have read that Plaquenil is the one of these drugs that people with PsA should avoid because it can make it worse. Perhaps you need to try a different drug for your skin problems?