Lupus butterfly or just the steroids?

[EscapedtoWales]

Hi everyone. Just noticing recently I have a red nose with a distinct line across and red cheeks and my chest is red and blotchy. The colour varies in intensity (worse when I am flushing and sweating), is not raised, doesn't hurt. An old friend has recently been diagnosed with lupus and I was just interested in what it was when I saw on Google the butterfly rash and suddenly thought 'that is what I have'. I also read that lupus can masquerade as PMR. Other than my PMR symptoms I don't have any other symptoms that seem to be associated with lupus. The thing is I can't get to even speak to a GP for 4 weeks and my first Rheumy appointment is Dec 18th. It did just strike me it could be a rash from the steroids? Would appreciate your thoughts. Thank you.

[bunnymom]

I don't have an answer for you but I would take a picture before it disappears. Best wishes.

[SheffieldJane]

Sometimes I look kind of pink and dusky when I get up in the small hours. I have the extremely dry mouth of Lupus. These diseases have so much in common and are all horrible.

[Hindags]

I believe there is a blood test that can help rule in or rule out lupus. Perhaps your GP can. Order that test for you while you wait to be seen. And take that picture.

[piglette]

Lupus is difficult to diagnose and cannot be done with just a single blood test. Auto immune diseases seem to be a real problem in diagnosis. Steroids are one of the drugs sometimes used to treat symptoms.