Lupus Support Group
Lupus is an auto-immune disease in which the immune system cannot distinguish between threats (like viruses and bacteria), and healthy cells and tissue. As a result, the body produces antibodies that inflict cell damage, most commonly targeting joints, skin, kidneys and the nervous system. Join the group and find support for coping with lupus.
I have not been diagnosed with lupus but I really believe I have it. I started feeling really bad about 3 years ago. I also, had an area that came up on my arm that looked like ring worm. It kept getting bigger and after a year or so went away. Another came up on my leg beside my knee and same thing, stayed about a year and went away. Now I have 3 on the back of my thigh. Had a biopsy and it revealed some sort of "childhood" skin disorder. I am 39. I cannot stay in the sun for longer than an hour or so because I break out in a horrible rash on my chest, back, stomach and arms. The rash will stay for a week or two and itches and burns. I am exhausted most of the time and am very frustrated with it all. I had an RA panel ran along with a sedrate and the doctor said all was normal. Please, I need opinion.
Now on to the possibility of lupus. Most laypeople don't realize that there are many illnesses that cause many of the symptoms that are associated with lupus. Lupus is called the Great Imposter, but it goes the other direction too. An RA panel will not test for what you need to check for lupus. For that, a doc needs to run an ANA tests, an anti-DS-dna, anti-SS-dna, and a complement level. (low is bad, high is still normal.) You don't mention your symptoms outside of a rash from being in the sun, but illnesses like porphyria also cause rashes in the sun. And sunburns for that matter can look like rashes.
If you want to be totally certain you can rule this out, then you need to go back to the doc and have the appropriate tests run. Also, go to the website for the Amer. College of Rheumatology and read the 11 criteria for having lupus. To be diagnosed, you need to have 4 or more items on the list. Some you won't know without lab work, but others (like oral lesions) you will and might not have associated with lupus.
Best of luck and I hope you DON'T have lupus and we don't see you again. [g]
Tracy
One less patient to worry about, right?