Do I have Lupus?

Sorry to hear your GP isn't helpful, go back and be very assertive saying u want a second opinion, or any opinion !! It could be lupus but I'm no expert, when your feeling like crap it's hard to get your point across but do go back , good luck sorry not much help,keep us posted.

Hi,

First question, has your GP done any blood tests? Are you male or female (women are x4 as likely to have luspus than men). Are you non-white - incidence increases for Afro Caribean people and some other groups?

If your GP has not done any blood tests you should ask for: ESR (erythracyte sedimentation rate - it's a measure of inflammation); plasma viscosity, rheumatoid factor and ANA.

ANA = increased antinuclear bodies and are a strong indicator that is associated with lupus.Less commonly can be absent with lupus.

Lupus takes a long time to diagnose (it's getting better) because there is no definitive test, there is a set of indicators and a several taken together = lupus. There are a lot of auto-immue diseases that have similar symptoms. In any case, you need to know.

As you have a lazy GP, I think I'd indicate that lupus is in your family and ask to be tested for it! Frankly, if he/she is prescribing tramadol they know something is wrong.

Btw lupus can be amanged and be lived with pretty happily. Don't read old and out-dated medical dictionaries ;-)

Good luck and let us know how you get on?

Ciao Poco!

you poor love, yes you need to put your foot down with your GP, he, she should be listening to you. Can you not see another doctor at you surgery?

Have you had any luck yet?

Ali

Hi I am a 26 year old female, slightly low BMI (typical as tall skinnyness runs in the family) and I have been having paticular symtoms for 2 years now. 

It started with night sweats, I am generally a cold person, waking up soaking wet with sweat, I am incredibly tired all the time, and get very aggressive (Apparently) when woken up, along with this I suffer with palpitations, high anxiety levels, Bruising ridiculously easily, constant cold hands and feet, aching joints, my ankles crack to the point where sometimes it aches so bad I cannot bear weight until it cracks, hips pop out sometimes, bad mouth ulcers, breathlessness, occasional chest pains (cant breath in all the way until it subsides) and had one out burst of what looked like eczema on the palms of my hands - was blistering and bleeding for around a month. 

I started having blood tests last year at my old doctor, they said it was anxiety - I do suffer with this but I don't have anything on my mind that would make me ill to this extent, they made me have blood tests and said I had high blood pressure too, which i was given beta blockers and sedatives (I never took the sedatives as I don't think i need them? sleeping isnt the issue) my blood tests came back with a really low white blood cell count, these tests were repeated for a year and I didn't get anywhere, when the rash on my hands started and I was told to basically just put up with it I changed doctors. having never suffered with it before I know in myself it wasn't normal nor an allergic reaction as nothing had changed. 

At my new doctors I have undergone a 24 hour heart monitor - this came back ok I think I am back in 2 months for the results (I dont get palpitations all the time so I wasn't worried) and the bloods I had done when I changed he said came back ok but my B12 and Vitamin D levels were far too low and I am on high doses of these. 

I also had a medical at work and they made me ring a nurse straight away as my kidney function was quite bad, I did another at the doctors and they said this was ok (over the phone - haven't seen him yet) But my period was 2 weeks late and have since been spotting (I have never suffered with this before either? I could even tell you to the date and time I have always been that regular previously) 

So I am currently waiting to see him again - but I joined here to see what people thought as I am worried this doctor will do the same. 

I am worried as because its a collection of symptoms that I seem to have got used to and sort of got used to putting up with them even though i know its not normal at 26 to feel like this when I eat pretty well and I exercise regularly. I feel like it must be something auto-immune as I have heard of similar symptoms but I don't know what to say to the doctor? 

I just want to feel normal! Any advice would be really great Sad Help please !