can a Neurologist get blood tests for lupus?

[Sarahmac8312]

When I was at the VMLM Expo I spoke to the staff and looking at the symptoms lupus I have a good few of them these are the ones from the NHS website

joint and muscle pain!!

extreme tiredness that will not go away no matter how much you rest!!

rashes – often over the nose and cheek

headaches!!

mouth sores!!

high temperature

hair loss

sensitivity to light (causing rashes on uncovered skin)!!

I also have Raynuards

!! the represents the main symptoms I have but I was on venoflaxine for migraines but they did not help I am at the hospital can I mention it to the consultant next Thursday?

Thanks in advance

[Chris21]

Hi Sarahmac8312, No harm in asking, even if it’s not lupus it could be another auto related illness, you say you have raynaulds? A lot of symptoms can overlap each other the various auto immune diseases.

[Sarahmac8312 in reply to Chris21]

The Neurologist was useless and dismissed everything I said to him

[Chris21 in reply to Sarahmac8312]

Oh! That’s a shame you didn’t get any answers. Did they say anything that was actually helpful in resolving your pains, what about the rash on your leg?did they have any advice on that?

[Sarahmac8312 in reply to Chris21]

Spoke to the doctor today and he thinks it's cellulitis though I am awaiting a dermatology appointment and there is a chance that if the antibiotics do not work or the part-work he thinks it could be Lupus that affects the skin. so I am waiting and seeing. The doctor has not said one way or the other

[bertie203 in reply to Sarahmac8312]

I'd try to find a rheumatologist if I were you - they're the ones who know the disease, and know what tests to run (the lupus diagnosis criteria are quite complex, and usually they'd want to check some specific blood values as opposed to just relying on your symptoms - and they also know how to test for other similar related conditions). I'm not familiar with the UK system, but perhaps your GP can refer you to a rheumatologist? A dermatologist might also be able to help, but they're probably less experienced with the non-skin symptoms.

(When I showed my GP hair loss + rashes + raynauds they immediately sent me off the to rheumatologist, and the rheumatologist then did the actual diagnosing - but they also referred me to a dermatologist who worked with the rheumatologist to handle the skin related symptoms.)

[MusicalFurbaby]

Hey Sarahmac8312, sorry to hear the neurologist has been so useless. They can run these kinds of blood tests, but in the long run, you’re better off finding a rhuematologist or immunologist who can do all the bloods and take a systemic view of what’s happening in your body. That should save a lot of time getting misdiagnosed or with treating symptoms rather than the underlying cause.

Best of luck—whether it’s lupus or not, you can always come here for support.

[Sarahmac8312 in reply to MusicalFurbaby]

I have an appointment with a dermatologist a week on Friday so I am gonna ask them about it

[MusicalFurbaby in reply to Sarahmac8312]

Good luck! 👍👍