Hi all, I had my results back from the autoantibody tests regarding possible SLE. They were satisfactory which as far as I was concerned meant normal/good so I ignored a letter from my GP saying to come in for another autoantibody blood test, in the next four weeks. As far as I was concerned, I didn't have SLE after all.
But, I started a new job which was psychologically very stressful for me, which I don't need to go in to, but I only lasted 4 weeks. After the first week, I developed strep throat with usual exhaustion, swollen lymph glands, achy body, hair falling out, sores up nostrils and one on inside of my lip, usual rash on chest, but I also had hives all down my arms and right hand swelled up. I thought it was scarlett fever, finished course of antibiotics. But, last week at the new job, I was put under psychological stress. The first symptom was pure exhaustion, following day, tonsils swell up, rash appears on chest burning and itching, body aching, bald patch got bigger, loads of bumps on scalp and itching like mad, body aching. I realised that these were two flare ups, I'm still recovering from the second one. This last flare up irritated m narcolepsy and symptoms presented at my other job, which were sleep attacks lasting several seconds and cataplexy when one of the people I support said I looked like death warmed up! It made me laugh and collapsed onto a chair.
I decided to look up what satisfactory meant regarding autoantibody results. Apparently it means that close to normal and GP not concerned. I should have gone back for my second lot of blood tests. So, this is the second part of my journey on the road to getting an official diagnosis for SLE.
How did your lupus start ?? What signs ?
Rash under breast - shingles??
Lupus rash advice please
Information sent out from Leeds chapel Allerton rheumatology 
