arloweb's Journal

In early Feb. 08 I developed a rash on my chest (looked like a bird with its wings spread to me).  I also started getting red dots on my face.  I'm not sure what came first.  This all happened in one day.  At this point there was no joint pain or any other symptoms so, being a stubborn guy, I ignored the whole thing.

About a week later I went to the Urgent Care.  I am rarely sick so I don't have a family doctor.  The bird rash was bigger and the face rash was more red.  The itching was pretty unbearable.  The whole rash thing correlated, to the day, a change in metal working fluid at my employer.  The doc said it seemed to be a chemical reaction and put me on Prednisone and a topical steriod cream.

Two weeks into the Prednisone the joint pain and lethargy started.  The chest rash had started to migrate to my shoulders.  The outer area began to produce eruptions.  My face was completely covered with red blotches and eruptions.  I went to another branded health group.  This doc was totally lost and got on his cell.  He hooked me up with a Dermatologist on the spot. 

After two trips to the Dermatologist, four skin biopsies and some blood work I was told I have Dermamitomyotisis.  He then refered me to a Rhumatologist.  Before I could see him I had to get more blood work.

At this point I had taken the Prednisone continuously and was having pretty evil joint pain.  The Rhumatologist informs me that I have Lupus and arthritis.  This is where it gets weird.  He put me on Hydroxychloroquine and Azathioprine.

The next two weeks I continually got worse.  The joint pain was gone but I was lethargic and depressed.  I then developed a wicked case of the hives.  I can see how those things could drive a guy crazy.

My wife forced me to go back to the Dermatologist.  He said it was a drug allergy, took me off of everything and hit me with a large dose of Prednisone.  While he was reviewing the blood work he noticed that I had only hit one factor for Lupus and nothing for arthritis.  He looked a little confused but I didn’t feel well enough to pursue the whole thing.

The next day everything changed.  I was so used to feeling bad that I didn’t realize that all of my skin was swollen.  The heat of the shower brought it to my attention very quickly.  This was the start of my worse day ever.  I thought I was dying.

I passed out on the bed for a few hours and woke very confused.  I barely made it to the kitchen table.  I basically sat there all day and hallucinated.  My face had flaked completely white.  It looked like I was dusted with flour.  The hives were still there but the rashes had disappeared. 

I stayed awake most of the day but then slept for twelve hours or so.  I woke the next day (yesterday) and felt like a million.  I was still Mr. flakey face but it wasn’t as extreme.  In fact, I showered and greased up and went to work.  Everyone commented on how I looked better.  I am very red (my wife says neon pink but I like red better) but the skin is clear.   

The hives have started to migrate south.  It is as if they are leaking out of my fingers and toes.  I feel better today than I have in a month.  The hives are a little itchy but nothing that can’t be handled.  Now to the point of this long entry.

I could really use some insight here.  Is this a normal Lupus thing?  Do I have Lupus?  Was this some bazaar coincidence that ended in a drug reaction?   Any ideas, insights or thoughts are welcome.

Thanks