Diabetes and lupus? diagnosis

[bexsmith23]

Hi - Hi everyone, Bex here - would love to hear your thoughts advice ideas please ....,

I strongly suspect I have some form of lupus, having developed a butterfly rash after being out in the sun earlier this year - and type 1 diabetes for 32 years .... with endless complications and problematic control for many years.

Currently having tests and waiting for appointments - so just starting out on the long journey to a diagnosis or not!!

Developed facial rash, flat pink tingly itchy over cheeks and nose after a day out in the sun, but no sunburn, as I was covered up and wearing sunscreen. I was fatigued and achy all over for 3 days with a low grade fever .... was convinced I had a virus, then day 4 all symptoms disappeared.

Rash returned a couple of weeks later after more sun exposure and various other symptoms have developed gradually since then (3 months now). Sunburn like rash on my neck chest and top of my back in the evenings and lips turn a deep red and slightly swollen as though sunburnt, tingling creeping skin, migrainey headaches, swollen glands in my groin, armpits and neck, cold symptoms despite pretty much shielding, and all previous joint/tendon issues seem to have got worse/flared up - mostly on my right side

Long standing joint/tendon issues ..... multiple trigger finger, operations have varied in success, carpal tunnel - 1 operated on, awaiting second, also with complications, suspected arthritis in both thumbs,

Knee problems - osgood schlattrrs disease failed to heal as an adult and long standing pain, flare ups, swelling

Right ankle swells and throbs regularly with large suspected ganglion

thete are other symptoms which I have always put down to my diabetes .... but could also be significant

Thanks

[Oshgosh]

I hope you get a diagnosis and some answers.

[butterfly1964 in reply to Oshgosh]

Morning bexsmith23...

So sorry to hear of your ongoing range of symptoms, I hope you find answers to them very soon.

Getting a diagnosis for Lupus can be a long, drawn out process, I suggest you insist on a referral to a rheumatologist.

Best wishes jx🤔🤔

[KayHimm]

Hi bexsmith,

Your description of sun reaction sounds significant, particularly because you get the systemic reaction along with the rashes. It is important to document your symptoms with photos, descriptions, and temperature chart. Fever was added to the new lupus classification because of its ability to distinguish between lupus and mimickers.

Can you get in to see your GP when you have joint pain and lymph node swelling? Those evaluations would be taken seriously by a rheumatologist if you were to see one.

Since Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease, your doctors would likely see you as more likely to get another autoimmune disease.

Good luck with this. And keep us posted.

K

[miccika1]

What type of sunscreen do you use that it doesn't prevent reaction? Is it expired maybe? Hope you get diagnosed soon. It might not be lupus maybe only sun allergy or allergy to sunscreen. In any case good you are taking care of that...