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← Return to ANA positive for Lupus
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I am currently saying hello rheumatoid arthritis doctor. I had to go to the ER last night with serve pain in my upper right side and my hands and feet go completely numb. I was hurting in my chest like I had something heavy on me. I think I’m so stressed and worried with the positive result because it explains everything I’m going through. The only symptom I don’t have is the redness on my face. I’m trying so hard to take the pain and have a normal life. I’m just so fatigued and my muscles are so weak. Like I can’t even brush my hair for a period of time and I feel like I’ve been lifting weights all day. I have two beautiful grandchildren and I’m always too tired or weak to hold them. The room tour arthritis doctor told me to come back within a year, but my PCP and the ER doctor told me to get back in with the rheumatoid arthritis doctor as soon as I could looking at my labs so I don’t know what to do if I should change, rheumatoid arthritis, doctor or stay where I’m at??!
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@hunterhadley03
You should not have to suffer with pain and need a proper diagnosis to get the right treatments that will help you manage pain, reduce symptoms, and slow/stop progression of your condition. You deserve to enjoy your wonderful blessing of grandchildren!
Have you seen a neurologist? If not, it would be good to have a brain MRI, cervical MRI and lumbar spine MRI to check for nerve or spinal cord compression. This may be behind some of your neurological symptoms (pain/weakness/numbness) They can do an EMG/nerve conduction study of your upper and lower limbs to see if you have radiculopathy nerve root compression radiating to your arms/hands and legs/feet and/or carpal tunnel syndrome. They can also do a skin punch biopsy to check for small fiber neuropathy and neuropathy bloodwork. Make sure to get a good, reputable and highly rated neurologist so you don’t waste your time and money.
Have you had a full thyroid bloodwork panel and have you had hormones and full iron panel checked? If not, have your primary doctor do this. How are your glucose and A1C levels?
Here are the symptoms and conditions that mimic lupus according to AI:
“ Several conditions can present symptoms that mimic lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus, SLE). Here are some of the key symptoms and the conditions that may cause them:
Common Symptoms of Lupus
Fatigue: Persistent tiredness that doesn't improve with rest.
Joint Pain and Swelling: Often affects multiple joints, particularly in the hands and feet.
Skin Rashes: A characteristic butterfly-shaped rash across the cheeks and nose, but other rashes can occur.
Fever: Low-grade fevers without an obvious cause.
Photosensitivity: Increased sensitivity to sunlight, leading to rashes or exacerbation of symptoms.
Hair Loss: Thinning or loss of hair, often in patches.
Mouth or Nose Ulcers: Sores that can be painful and persistent.
Organ Involvement: Symptoms related to the kidneys, heart, lungs, or nervous system.
Conditions That Mimic Lupus
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): Joint pain and swelling, fatigue, and sometimes skin rashes.
Sjögren's Syndrome: Dry eyes and mouth, joint pain, and fatigue.
Scleroderma: Skin thickening, joint pain, and internal organ involvement.
Dermatomyositis: Muscle weakness and skin rashes, particularly on the face and back.
Fibromyalgia: Widespread pain, fatigue, and sleep disturbances.
Vasculitis: Inflammation of blood vessels, leading to various systemic symptoms.
Infections: Certain infections (like viral infections) can cause symptoms similar to lupus.
Thyroid Disorders: Hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism can lead to fatigue, joint pain, and skin changes.
Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD): Features of lupus, scleroderma, and polymyositis.
Conclusion
If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms that may resemble lupus, it is essential to consult a healthcare professional for a thorough evaluation and appropriate testing. Proper diagnosis is crucial, as treatment and management can vary significantly between these conditions.”
1. https://wellwisp.com/what-can-be-misdiagnosed-as-lupus/
2. https://wellwisp.com/what-is-lupus-like-syndrome/