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.

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deleted_user 12/09/2012

I have just been told that I have Lupus but I may also have RA? My joint/back hurts of course, but my knuckle are huge...the more I use my hands the more they hurt, turn red, get hot and rashy and swell. I have always had TINY fingers and hands but I look like I almost have "man hands" as my boys would say. Is it possible that lupus has done this or sound more like RA?

BTW...I have my Rheumatoid Factor "cooking" as the doctor would say but I won't know for a few days, so I am just curious.

deleted_user 12/10/2012

Not everyone with RA has RA factor in their blood. My sister is in that category.

My rheumy ruled out RA through scans. Maybe your doc could do a scan of your hands to see if the typical joint degradation is occurring. To my knowledge, the difference between lupus and RA joints is that the former involve pain, swelling, and inflammation whereas the latter involve all those three plus actual bone erosion and deformation.

If your doctor isn't familiar with how the difference looks on scans, maybe he could refer you to a specialist inthis?

surferchica 12/10/2012

One can have lupus and rheumatoid arthritis together.

It is then called Rheufus...no lie.

I have lupus and undifferentiated connective tissue disorder...which is a milder form of mixed connective tissue disorder.Mixed has organ involvement, and that is what makes it worse.

Good luck to you and let us know.

mamawjo 12/10/2012

Yes, It's entirely possible to have both lupus and RA. I have both. Your bloodwork and symptoms will be looked at by your rheumy and if you meet certain criteria he or she will make that determination. A lot of the treatments are the same. The following web page gives a brief overview:
http://www.lupus.org/webmodules/webarticlesnet/templates/new_aboutaffects.aspx?articleid=101&zoneid=17

deleted_user 12/11/2012

Ok thanks...I see my Rheumatologist Thursday but it's so hard to wait!!

cherokeesister3 11/15/2017

i also have both lupus and RA, my rheumy does labs on me every three months, sometimes my RA factor is really high, usually when im flaring, he has me on plaqlnl and celebrex, my recent scan showed that my whole back is riddled with arthritis i see a pain DR who gives me injections, they help but dont last long enough, good luck to you

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