Conflicting diagnosis concerning lupus

My friend in rural Alabama had to get his PCP to send him to the closest Mayo Clinic fror a diagnosis, because when he went to the ER for his rash and yellow skin they flat out refused to believe he had Lupus. He has RA because of the lupus, severe allergies, sensitivities to barometric changes...

"No one test can diagnose lupus. The combination of blood and urine tests, signs and symptoms, and physical examination findings leads to the diagnosis.

Lupus - Diagnosis & treatment - Mayo Clinic

Mayo Clinic
https://www.mayoclinic.org › lupus › drc-20365790
Lupus: Symptoms & Treatment
How Lupus Is Diagnosed
What Is Lupus? Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment"

It really sounds like your doctor doesn't know enough about Lupus, and I'm sorry to hear that you'll probably have to do some travelling to get a firm diagnosis that your local Doc will accept as fact. Hugs and hopes.

tx u soooo much 4 the hugs and hope!

🤞🤞👍👍💕💕 😁

You need to somehow find a new doctor!

tx 4 feedback and support from all!

I’m 6 years in and my diagnosis has evolved from RA to Axial Spondylitis and now they’re thinking Myasenthia Gravis. Autoimmune disease is insidious because so many of the conditions mimic each other and labs aren’t always clear cut and markers can change over time. I have a high RF but no CRP now which makes RA unlikely today. Negative ANA but positive RNP which makes MTCD unlikely. Severe muscle weakness but negative myopathy panels. My lab results don’t match my symptoms, and it’s infuriating because if you can’t get a diagnosis it makes treatment a guessing game. It is possible for Lupus to go into remission - but also possible to acquire an additional autoimmune disease because once you have one, it’s common to acquire another. As someone has said, maybe see if you can get a referral to Mayo or one of the bigger hospitals in one of the cities nearby.

pamper, Living in a rural area makes it tough. Check Castle and Connolly just in case there is an MD you don't know of that would do telehealth for you or that you could travel to. All of their MDs are researched and the MDs can't pay to be on the basic "good MD" list.

tx Sooo much 4 info-i'll do that!

I actually found one bout 45 min away! asking PCP 2 refer me. tx again 4 info!

As a carrier of a Lupus diagnosis 15 years ago, I know medication does work for me. The last time I saw a rheumatologist, my labs looked great. She said the only way to get a baseline is by stopping Plaquenil for 3 months. Can you say no knowing the medication helps with rash, joint pain and itchiness. I still.have.many presentable symptoms but I get thrown like a Frisbee between my Hepatologist and Rheumatologist.
B
Great job being your own advocate.
My aside question is: prior to medication my labs, after ruling out many other diseases, was indicative SLE. Started Plaquenil and labs have been I p and down, mostly down. To say I don't have SLE based on labs post medication really means the medication is working. If I get that why don't providers?
🐝 KIND