Quick question for the seasoned lupus patients....
Background: I'm undiagnosed and lupus is a possibility that has been mentioned but never committed to by any doctor so investigations are ongoing. I firmly believe I have it and I suspect my doctor does to some degree as well but is wary of saying so yet.
Now for the question...I get serositis (sometimes abdominal, sometimes chest, sometimes mid back...) and costochondritis pains. The pains are occasionally severe but mostly annoying and usually just enough to make me suck my breath in then I get on with it. These bouts of pain can last anywhere from a few minutes to half a day and then move on to another part of the body. I can spend all day in uncomfortable pain with what I think is inflammation taking a joy ride around my body!
Is this the nature of migratory serosistis in lupus patients or does it have to be severe and ongoing and 'set in' to be considered worth any diagnostic points?
One reason I ask is because the first rheumy I ever saw poo-pooed my concerns about lupus saying that "if you had lupus headaches they would be unmistakable severe headaches, if you had lupus joint pain you would have severe ongoing joint pain". Is it true what he says or is it possible to be suffering these individual symptoms somewhat mildly but as part of a horrible bigger picture?
Sorry so long but this question has bothered me for a while and the 'nothing wrong with me' demons have been at me this week and it hasn't helped my self-doubt!