I do know about Lupus, it is an auto immune disorder. Characterized by muscle aches, fatigue. There are different degrees to it. Some people barely feel anything different.

But wait a second, I thought this doctor said you might have Addison's? Which is a completely different condition.

I think you need to get a REAL diagnosis, and not this doctor saying "Maybe you have this and Maybe you have that."

Is this part of an HMO?

Try not to worry. These doctors don't seem to know what they are talking about if they keep throwing out different diagnoses. It will be helpful when you get an accurate diagnosis. For now, don't even think about it. These are just guesses. Try not to worry.

Can you still talk to your therapist when she goes to her new place? Is she the one treating your bi-polar?

Easier said than done, but try to put this out of your mind until you can get an accurate diagnosis.

We're here for you!

Thank you, I'm sure you can understand my frustration. When I went and seen her last Thursday she made me feel like crap for not taking my bi-polar meds because I am still not convinced that I have bi-polar. I told her that I was hurting and basically had to beg for more labs lol ridiculous. All I know really is that my "aa" is what she called it came back positive and that it is more than likely Lupus.

The therapist I see is totally supportive of me not wanting to take bi-polar meds and is also on the fence of accepting a bi-polar diagnosis. Its the psychologist there that doesn't really want to listen to anything anyone says and just kind of made up his mind that I was bi-polar and now its on all my medical profile that I was diagnosed with it. I actually kind of picked up on the fact that my therapist is leaving that practice is because of the psychologist there, I get the impression they don't see eye to eye on a lot of things and I can totally understand why.

This is all just really frustrating and to all being happening during the Covid pandemic is literally my luck in a nut shell lol

I could be wrong, but I don't know if there is a specific blood test to determine if you have Lupus. Do you have constant fatigue and very tender sore muscles all over, hair loss, fever? I'm not a doctor. But I do know a couple people that have Lupus and they are living just fine. Just telling you this so you don't worry too much in case you have it. But you might not have it. Ugh, this is frustrating for you!

I just think it is messed up that every week you get a different diagnosis. Is your doctor part of an HMO?

It sounds like you trust your therapist the most, so can you tell her what is going on, and ask her if she can refer you to a different doctor for a second opinion?

I do have fatigue and sore muscles. I also break out in rashes from time to time which I have always dismissed as I have sensitive skin. I know that there is a specific test for rheumatoid arthritis I am not sure about Lupus. When she told me that I tested positive for a autoimmune disorder the first thing I asked was what one and she said more than likely Lupus but that I was going to have to go to a specialist for more tests.

I am not sure what an HMO is lol and my therapist is awesome, Im not sure what all she is able to do for me, I will have to wait and see when I see her next which I have no idea when that is going to be. She wasn't even aloud to tell me where she was going because she had to sign a no disclosure agreement at the practice she is at now. She was able to tell me what city she was going to and I was able to find the place but they weren't sure on her start date so I kind of just have to wait around until then.

Lupus isn't just some fatigue and some sore muscles. It is REAL sore muscles, hurts to even breathe, and fatigue that makes you sleep 20 hours a day. Plus fever, body aches. That's why IF (big IF) you have it, it's probably a mild case. You would have noticed something really wrong by now. Try not to worry what they said. You will be okay.

Are you located in the United States?

An HMO very basically means you have to go to the doctors they tell you to go to. A PPO plan, means you can go to any doctor you want.

It's up to you if you can wait to talk to your therapist. If it bothers you, you can call her and leave her a message to please give you a call when she has a chance. Then maybe you can tell her what has been going on with this doctor.

Even with the pandemic, people are able to talk by phone or video chat, with their therapists, psychiatrists, doctors, etc. I am talking to one of mine in 20 minutes, actually! LoL.

Okay, well you hang in there. We're here for you :)

I see yes I agree my muscles and fatigue I would have to agree could be a lot worse. I feel like for my age (27) I could be in better shape but its not debilitating. And I can go to whatever doctor my insurance accepts I believe.

and yes I am in the US I live in Ohio..

And thank you for being so supportive I feel like you know my situation so well lol this has honestly made me feel better. Hopefully it wont take to long to get into see a specialist and I can get this all figured out!

A misdiagnosis like bi-polar can throw off treatment plans.

When fatigue is a major life distress symptom, having a journal to show the area (stick figure with arrow) where it starts and where it ends can help find a method to improve well-being while diagnosis is being determined.

There is NOT a one size fits all diagnosis, especially if your symptoms are triggered by distress anxiety sensations.

I have had muscle fatigue to the point of crawling to get to point b from point a. I have had rashes that come and go.

Once I did a journal and then shared the experience with the psychologist, I was able to learn how to reduce the anxiety (calming breaths, staying hydrated, keeping my thoughts focused on in the moment), while seeing the changes in the body and brain.

Those are real. They are happening. What you want to do to help your self find a better balance is reduce the way anxiety is adding to the party.

Best wishes.

G'morning :) Tough time to be going in for a DX :( With this current pandemic, it's likely to take twice as long to get some answers. It's also exposing you to medical areas that you should be steering clear of IF you do have an auto-immune disease. Anxiety and stress are triggers for lupus so TRY to relax yourself a bit- practice yoga, deep breathing, visualization- calming things.

I was diagnosed with Lupus in 2006 and it connected a lot of medical dots for me. Your medical history will play a big part in your diagnosis. I see that everyone is saying 'sore muscles' as a symptom (along with fatigue). Fibromyalgia is actually the disorder that affects the muscles where Lupus affect your joints- your muscles become sore or go into spasm because your skeletal system is being affected. In your blood work it's your ANA count that is in question as well as your thyroid -hypo or hyper thyroidism quite often shows up. What other symptoms are you experiencing?
I, apparently, have had Lupus for awhile- long before I tested positive. I tested positive with a skin biopsy after my body had broken out in a rash (looked like hives) from head to toe :( Half of my hair fell out, I was running a persistent low-grade fever 100-101, enough to make me feel lousy and I was purely exhausted. I was also losing weight although not trying- 6 pounds to start before I took notice. I now have a difficult time keeping weight on largely due to my overactive thyroid.
My medical history showed consistent faulty blood-work. I always showed signs of infection. Lupus is a disease where your body fights itself (that's systemic lupus) I had a history of bronchitis and pneumonia following a cold. I tested positive for the Epstein-Barr virus (you are probably too young to remember when all that came out along as the Yuppie disease CFS- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome -Cher tested positive for it and that's how it got thrown into the lime-light). A long history of allergic reactions and adverse reactions to antibiotics (that's a scary one!). Sun sensitivity, allergies. It's a pretty long list.
The skin biopsy is what cinched it for me after years of living with all of that. I was referred to a Rheumatologist and began treatment. Standard treatment for Lupus is steroids- UGH! I have a dx of Anxiety Disorder and panic attacks so taking steroids was/is difficult for me even at 1/2 the dosage. I couldn't eat or sleep while on them and had a constant state of Road Rage! I was also started on Plaquenil or Hydrocloroquine (yes, the magic cure for this Covid-19 virus but it's not, it helps with the symptoms, it's NOT a cure) and a topical steroid creme for the rash. I began responding almost immediately so I'm not sure which one it was/is or if it's a combo of all of them that helped. It finally calmed down but I do have flare ups brought on by extreme stress and/or illness. I have also been on oral chemo to knock it into remission.
As I said to start, this is a horrid time to be testing for all of this, I'm sorry that you are going through it along with the mental health issues- this is a very scary time for everyone! Are you seeing a rheumatologist? Endocrinologist? Unlike RA and Fibro, there isn't a specific test for Lupus- it's a combo of things. While I tested positive with a skin biopsy, there are different forms of Lupus. I, unfortunately, have SLE and/or systemic which means that it is affecting other organs in my body (heart and kidney) I have been in renal failure (kidney failure) twice- no fun!
Your Doc was right that getting on the internet and going under Google will scare the crap out of you because you DON'T know what you are looking for! Get in to see a specialist (a good Rheumy and/or endocrinologist). In the meantime, be kind to yourself and watch your reactions to stressful situations- hard to do right now, I know :(
I hope I answered some of your questions. There is a Lupus support group on here with a large number of people who can be more specific. I'' keep you in my prayers :) xoLyn

Hi- me again :) Just a question after reading your post again. How long ago and what type of medication are you taking (or not taking as you said) for your Bi-Polar? Remember I said that there are different types of Lupus? (Not necessarily different degrees or a low case of it- you either have it or you don't) However, what TYPE of Lupus is it? is a key question. There IS a medication induced Lupus so starting (or stopping) a specific medication is important to know. There are different treatments too, EVERYONE is different. While I can't handle the oral steroids (side effects), a shot of steroids doesn't affect me as bad (although it doesn't last as long) and is far better than going on cytoxin or methotextrate (oral chemo). If your side effects aren't debilitating and are manageable then you may want to take a good look at the the possibility of Medication Induced Lupus. The other person who posted about keeping a journal is Spot On. Track your symptoms daily and take note of any changes. Try to limit the variables in your life right now (changes in medication, stress levels, etc.) All of these will help you and your Doctor in getting an accurate diagnosis! All the best to you and Most Importantly- Stay Safe! I live in CT, a current Hot Spot for this dreaded Virus We are currently in a Stay-IN-Place lock down (it's been a month now) which has everyone on edge! Be Well! xoLyn

Thank you so much for all this info! Currently I am not on any medications for Bi polar because I still disagree with this diagnosis and I felt like there was something else wrong with me. I was prescribed presidone to take until I see rheumatologist and I have no idea how long that will be. Its hard to narrow down my symptoms because I have had so many and a lot of them go hand in hand with anxiety and depression. So far health wise I don't seem to be in to bad of shape that's why it was so hard getting doctors to look at anything other than this all "being In my head" or just "anxiety" the biggest ones that stick out to me that I know could be caused by lupus if I truly have it is my skin I have always broken out in rashes or have "sensitive" skin. Lately there has been a small rash on my chest that doesn't go away no matter what cream I put on it. When I was taking gabapentin I broke out in a rash all over my face and neck which I just assumed I was allergic which is still possible I guess. I do have fatigue when I was working I would dread getting off work because I knew how tired and sore I was going to be and having two small kids there was no rest when I get off work. I would dread so badly the thought of having to make dinner and everything else a mom has to do when I all I wanted was to lay on the couch :( Hopefully after this is all said and done I can be the person and mom I was before this all started happening.