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Lupus vs RA?

Posted , 3 users are following.

95592Victoria
95592Victoria

Hello, 

I have recently tested positive for ANA and am waiting on a follow up with my GP.  Wondering how to tell whether it is more likely to be Lupus or RA.  These are some of my symptoms:exhaustion

extreme fatigue

dry skin

joint pain worse in the AM, but stays with me all day.

weight gain

sweaty feet and hands

brain fog

loose stools/ diarrhea 

extra weight in mid section and double chin

anxiety

heart palps

tinitis 

headaches

difficulty swallowing over a “lump” in throat, pills often get stuck

indigestion

easy bruising

TSH low side of normal

RT3 and RT4 slightly low

Prolactin low

AM cortisol high side of normal

-6 months of thyroid treatment with no improvement in symptoms

-5 months on anti-depressants with no change in symptoms

-ultrasound of thyroid showed small lump, supposed to re-do in a year to see if it has changed. 

Dizzy when I bend over

Wake up in the night in cold sweats

0 likes, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • margaret22116
    margaret22116 95592Victoria

    Posted

    Sounds like Lupus but not sure if these symptoms apply to RA as well. I have Behcet's which is another form of vasculitis (as is Lupus) and these are all common symptoms.

    • 95592Victoria
      95592Victoria margaret22116

      Posted

      Thanks for the reply,  I looked up Behcet's and those symptoms don't fit.  I'm so sorry you are dealing with them though! 

    • margaret22116
      margaret22116 95592Victoria

      Posted

      Hi I didn't think you jad Behcet's ....just meant a lot of similar symptoms between Behcet's and Lupus. Lupis doesn't have the ulceration x

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