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Surgery caused autoimmune disease or Drug Induced Lupus
Autoimmune Diseases | Last Active: Nov 5, 2022 | Replies (47)Comment receiving replies
Dear @fox940, I am so so sorry you are going through this long excursion of pain and discomfort, to find a diagnosis and treatment that helps alleviate all of your symptoms. I have nothing to add to the convo as it is foreign to me, but wanted to let you know that My mom had horrible daily pain/symptoms in the 1970's that no FP, Internist or Rheumatogist in her area could diagnose or treat. My Dad took her to Mayo (Rochester) and she was diagnosed promptly with a condition (little was known at the time), Fibromyalgia. The Rheumatologist and her Team there provided her AND her local physician in Florida with a Treatment plan. Her life improved dramatically (she's still living well at age 86). Not that I think you have Fibro, just saying that many disorders are DIFFICULT to diagnose by even excellent physicians locally, but are more easily deciphered and recognized at a major center (such as Mayo) that focuses/researches/diagnoses rare, new, and complicated multi-system disorders. I hope that you will find helpful solutions on your trip to Mayo, and a caring team that leaves no stone unturned in evaluating your medical history, current symptoms/issues and treatment options.
Replies to "Dear @fox940, I am so so sorry you are going through this long excursion of pain..."
I'm hoping so, too! Please keep us posted. I don't think it's fibromyalgia either but I merely provided the background as an example of Mayo "recognizing" a symptom complex that at the time, was not known widely, in the medical literature or taught in medical schools. Whatever you are dealing with, I feel that they will decipher it and hopefully have some treatment recommendations. In re-reading your initial post, I wonder if the polymer clip (that replaced the titanium clips) can cause toxic, allergic or inflammatory reactions? It is good that you are making a list of your symptoms, procedures, dates, medications, med results/reactions, and all elements that affect your wellbeing prior to your visit. I hope your appointment goes very well, that you will soon feel much better.
@taterjoy Thank You for the kind words. When I woke after surgery and the nurse told me they had to put a Polymer clip in me I instantly panicked thinking I didn't want anything in my body. Had no choice though or I would have bled internally. I researched it as soon as I could and I cannot find anything on Polymer clips causing an autoimmune reaction. Metal/Titanium clips allow antibodies to attach and an autoimmune reaction to occur even if you're not allergic and I suspect that was causing some of my issues, but now I'm not so sure they had anything to do with it since I'm still sick this long after. Polymer/plastic does not allow antibodies to attach as nothing corrodes to enter the bloodstream like metal does. So in theory I should not be having an autoimmune reaction to it. Good question as you can see it has crossed my mind and I have researched it.
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@taterjoy Yes, that is why I am planning on heading to Mayo.....hopefully get some answers. My Rheumatologist suggested Fibromyalgia, but I will be surprised if that is what I'm dealing with. Medications that typically are associated with Drug Induced Lupus make my symptoms worse like antihistamines, antibiotics, NSAIDS, and PPI's/H2 Stomach acid meds. I don't suffer from the extreme fatigue that Fibromyalgia sufferers seem to deal with, though today I am pretty fatigued and I am hurting a lot. We had a cold front come in last night after some unseasonably warm temps. I am beginning to think that adds to my pain. I really think it is autoimmune of some sort, but I may be surprised. I honestly feel like I have an infection they way I feel though I don't have a fever or High white blood cell count. Aside from a strong positive Anti-histone AB tests my lab work is pretty much perfect. My thyroid has been checked numerous times as well, Lyme is negative, and my symptoms fit Lyme so well. Hopefully the mayo docs can figure this out. It is good to hear about positive stories where diagnosis has been made. That is what I'm hoping for........