New Loopy type person first post

[loopy4me]

I tend to follow you folks with similar issues and learn from you guys and gals. There's so much to learn and try to understand. Here's a summary of my condition:

Following a knee injury 6 years ago, I had crippling pain in shoulders and arms. Went to GP and had blood tested. It was positive ANA and high CRP and ESR numbers. Symptoms disappeared about 6-12 months. GP thought it was Lupus and recommended a Rheumatologist. By the time I was able to see the Rheumy, my crippling pain had subsided. The Rheumy discounted Lupus and didn't really seem interested since I was a middle aged male. He prescribed Prednisone, but I never took it and the pain completely disappeared soon after.

This year following an appendicitis and appendectomy, I noticed pain in shoulders and neck. A week later, I could barely walk or tie my shoes. The pain was unlike anything I've ever felt. The pain was mainly in the shoulders, hips, hands, wrists, and arms. A Rheumatologist prescribed 20 mg of Prednisone and it worked like magic. Within 3 days, I was 50% better and after a 6 weeks, I was pain free. He diagnosed me with PMR in April. Both flare ups, occured when I was possibly in the best shape of my life. Running 20 miles a week, cycling 80 miles a week, and swimming 2 miles a week.

In August, I went to another Rheumatologist for a 2nd opinion. Even though I had the PMR symptoms, I had PMR doubts because it was my 2nd episode and not even 53 years old. The 2nd doctor took 45 viles of blood for tests and really did an outstanding job piecing my symptoms and blood tests together to conclude I had a MCDT (mixed connective tissue disease) that had many Lupus and Sjorgens and RA characteristics. My PMR pain is gone. I am off Prednisone, but I still have weird things going on with blood and have mild pains in hands, shoulders, feet, and jaws... I am now on 400 mg of plaquinel and doing pretty good. He wanted me on this medicine to help stabilize my immune system to reduce inflammation and reduce potential flare ups.

[Chanpreet_Walia LUPUS UK]

Hi Loopy4me,

Welcome to the LUPUS UK HealthUnlocked Community! We offer a free information pack which you can download or request at lupusuk.org.uk/request-info....

I am glad to hear you are doing better now than you did before. Hydroxychloroquine, Plaquenil, is antimalarial that is most commonly used to treat symptoms of lupus. You can learn more about it in our factsheet about lupus and medication here - lupusuk.org.uk/wp-content/u.... It is important to note that it can take 3-6 months for hydroxychloroquine to exert its full effect.

We published a factsheet on ‘LUPUS: and Mixed Connective Tissue Disease’ which discusses symptoms, complications and the treatments available for MCTD. To read this factsheet, please click here: lupusuk.org.uk/wp-content/u...

90% to 95% of people with lupus will experience muscle and/or joint pain. We published an article on our blog about pain management which contains helpful tips and information: lupusuk.org.uk/pain-managem...

To read our factsheet on lupus and men visit lupusuk.org.uk/wp-content/u...

Please keep us updated, wishing you all the best