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Should I Get Checked Out, or Am I Overreacting?

Posted , 4 users are following.

g56042
g56042

Apologies in advance. This is a little long:

I’m an 18 year old female. I’ve been sick with an array of symptoms and the doctors have yet to figure them out. Here they are:

-rashes after being in the sun (no burns)

-systemic reactions to foods, but allergy tests are negative

-small infections on my hands (look like zits)

-chronic tightness in chest for over a year

-widespread abdominal pain when I eat (particularly near the top)

-bone pain

-fatigue

-bones feel out of place

-tendons get tight

-muscle weakness

-confusion

-poor circulation

-skin tender to touch

-strange pain in upper mid-left chest

That’s pretty much it. I have asthma, a systemic nickel allergy, signs of celiac disease, and a vitamin D deficiency that I can’t seem to get under control. Since I’ve heard that these ailments may somehow be related to lupus, I wanted to make sure that my strange symptoms are not related to that. I figure that if I had lupus, it would be obvious, but I’m still a little worried. Should I go into the doctor just to make sure, or am I simply overreacting?

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • Suju0706
    Suju0706 g56042

    Posted

    Did you see a rheumatologist?
    • g56042
      g56042 Suju0706

      Posted

      No, my primary care doctor has just been exploring one symptom at a time rather than looking at the big picture, so I’ve been stuck there. 
    • Suju0706
      Suju0706 g56042

      Posted

      My rheumatologist asked me to do ANA and ENA profile tests and that’s how they diagnosed that my condition might be Lupus. I too have skin allergy,  irritable bowl, tightness in chest on and off and severe body/ joint pains. My fatigue levels and most of the symptoms have come down after medication. 
    • g56042
      g56042 Suju0706

      Posted

      Oh really? I’ll look into getting those. Thanks!
  • Su2
    Su2 g56042

    Posted

    I was going to ask if you have been referred on to a specialist but see in your reply the doctor hasn't. It's the sticking point of the treat one/two symptoms at a time when the condition is systemic. Given your symptoms the doctor could refer you to a cardiologist, a neurologist, a rheumatologist for starters yet they are reluctant. Keep a diary of symptoms, when they occur, how they present, photos of rashes/skin changes, post-sun rashes, skin colour changes if the circulation is a problem. The conditions in the autoimmune family overlap. It takes time to find out which condition it is, or sometimes are. It can be a collection. My CRP results were crazy as were some of my FBC results and I had signs of kidney disease but was told I had Polymyalgia Rheumatica so they gave me steroids then couldn't understand why it didn't clear up. I. wasn't even in the usual age bracket for PMR. I did have Polymyalgia but as a symptom of Lupus. With your chest pains alone they should be considering ordering ECGs and more tests. You are definitely not overreacting. You need answers.

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