Bit of an odd one!!

[Mrsdoozer]

Hi Everyone

Does anyone suffer with R. A. as well as Lupus & Sjogrens? I was told its not possible but my thumb joint is proving different. Rhumy nurse said its not possible I'm awaiting carpal tunnel op but this definatley not that. Base of thumb joint deformed swollen aches and stiff.

My old GP always said I don't ever present symptoms by the book. Also I had a hip replacement 4 months ago have to say it has been brilliant. How ever I had it done with a spinal block and sedation, now just over were the block was put in I have a large lump appeared in my spine which aches continually, now I suffer a constant pain in my left buttock it feels like cramp and very uncomfortable makes me walk badly which is ironic as I walked better since having new hip. But anethatist struggled getting the needle in my spine in the correct position he had 5 goes at it! Could he have damaged something or is this just another lump to contend with?!

Thanks in advance Angela xx

[PMRpro]

I think your rheumy nurse is being a tad silly. Nothing is impossible ...

Autoimmune disease doesn't come in hermetically sealed boxes. Having one a/i disorder predisposes you to show symptoms of another. I believe what happens is that you have a generalised a/i disorder and the symptoms you demonstrate are YOUR personal illness but in the past, before they had all the biochemistry, histology and everything else to diagnose things the label you got was the one that matched the medical literature best. Nowadays you may be told you have undifferentiated connective tissue disease - a mix of a lot of things but not enough specific symptoms to qualify for a dx of anything in particular - or mixed connective tissue disease, a bit of everything,

But that's the way I see it ...

[HazelW]

That is ridiculous. I was initially diagnosed with Lupus by a Rheumatolgist ( clue is in the name 😄) and I have Rheumatoid and Osteoarthritis. Lots of Lupus sufferers have RA . Cannot imagine why you were told it's impossible !!

[Mrsdoozer in reply to HazelW]

That's what I thought!! I was told years ago I had RA showing in my bloods but I was only in my early 20's and had no symptoms so I didn't think any more about it. Certainly made up for it now tho!!!!

[RAD120]

Hello my consultant says I have Rhupus plus fibromyalgia, Sjogrens etc

[Hidden]

It is nonsense. I was diagnosed with RA in 2011, then 5 years later undiagnosed and told no CTD, non erosive RA, small fibre neuropathy, Raynaud’s, Erythromelagia. Then I was rediagnosed with primary Sjögren’s, now looking at likely overlap CTD limited scleroderma but I meet criteria for RA and Lupus if I had the symptoms. In my opinion Sjögren’s is the most underestimated and can cause all my symptoms by itself.

But really, as others say, there are no rules in rheumatology and a good rheumy nurse should know this.

[Sekka]

Hi I have R.A. and Sjogrens and Lupus has a question mark next to it!

I'm struggling at the moment but seeing my rheumatologist next week.

I have questions of course.

Will let you know....