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Lupus a possibility?

Posted , 4 users are following.

eleanor12697
eleanor12697

Is it possible to have Lupus without any joint pain, rashes or swelling. The only Lupus symptom I seem to have is the weakness or fatigue, I have had extensive blood tests and been told that my ANA test is 'weak positive' but all the other immunoglobulin tests were normal.

I thought it was Chronic Fatigue and was about to be referred to the fatigue clinic but now im not sure.

0 likes, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • margaret22116
    margaret22116 eleanor12697

    Posted

    Sorry something went a bit wrong there! Was going to advise you to call Vasculitis UK who have a free helpline. These diseases have odd payterns. I jave Behcet's which is similar. Sone people have lots of symptoms some only have eye symptoms for example. I would ask their advice if you are in the UK. If in the states thr Vasculitis Foundation there woild be helpful.

  • cheryl21625
    cheryl21625 eleanor12697

    Posted

    Hi Eleanor,

    I would definitely check out the chronic fatigue clinic. Depending on your level of fatigue they should be able to determine if you suffer from this. It's important to manage fatigue and they will give you helpful hints on this.  I have suffered from fibromyalgia for 25 years and have chronic fatigue. You definitely learn your limits on how much you can do in a day, especially if you are still working full time. I also have the ebstein barr virus which definitely gives you fatigue if you have a flare-up. Stress is the worst trigger for both of these conditions. I also had weak-positive ANA test many years ago but recentlly I was diagnosed with discoid lupus of the skin. It's important to remember that if you have any autoimmune disease you wear sunscreen and a hat, even in winter months. It was the epstein barr virus that triggered my lupus. I would continue to have regular bloodwork done just in case your ANA levels change.  Good luck!

    • cheryl21625
      cheryl21625 rose00110

      Posted

      Hi Rose

      Disod Luupus of the skin  can be the scalp or the body

    • cheryl21625
      cheryl21625 rose00110

      Posted

      Hi Rose,

      It is looks like scaly, disk-like plaques on scalp, face and ears that cause pigmentary changes, scarring and hair loss.The most common symptom is a circular rash. The rash varies from a mild pinkness, often brought out by ultra-violet (UV) light, to a florid lumpy and disfiguring rash, which comes and goes. It is a feature of active disease and usually disappears as the disease goes into remission. There is thickening of the skin and a scaliness, which often becomes red and 'angry'. Scalp involvement (including itchiness, redness and peeling) may be very prominent and patches of baldness may occur. Frequent sites are the face, the V-neck area, and the ears. 

      Hope that helps.

       

    • rose00110
      rose00110 cheryl21625

      Posted

      Yes it does help alot thats prob why my immunologist asked if i was losing hair that is not what i have thank you for your help take care
    • margaret22116
      margaret22116 rose00110

      Posted

      Not everyone with Lupus has rash or hair loss. Only possible symptoms in a long list sadly x
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