Welcome! The thing with Lupus and RA is that they seem to share many of the same symptoms and it can be hard to differentiate. These conditions can overlap a lot. My rheumatologists have said it doesn't really matter because they're treated almost the same. That's basically where I am at the moment.

It sounds like your rheumatologist is on to it and is considering all possibilities. There are lots of really knowledgeable people, it's not quite as busy as the RA board, but I'm sure you'll still find lots of help here =]

Welcome! The thing with Lupus and RA is that they seem to share many of the same symptoms and it can be hard to differentiate. These conditions can overlap a lot. My rheumatologists have said it doesn't really matter because they're treated almost the same. That's basically where I am at the moment.

It sounds like your rheumatologist is on to it and is considering all possibilities. There are lots of really knowledgeable people, it's not quite as busy as the RA board, but I'm sure you'll still find lots of help here =]

Steph, welcome. I too am in the diagnosis process. ANd my symptoms really kicked off after the birth of my 3rd baby ( who is now 7 months). I've seen that a pregnancy can trigger flares and such. NOt certain about that so don't quote me. There are so many helpful and great supportive people in this group. What other symptoms are you having besides the joint pain?

I have a blog which can help you with info. I put together the most trust worthy, up to date info about lupus and other AI's. Read through my posts, there is a ton of info, also the disability post has a slew of lupus info. Here is a link http://mrslupus.blogspot.com/2011/11/could-i-have-lupusinformation-for.html

I also have a facebook page if you are on it, with daily lupus info and other diseases, it has all the latest research, support groups, etc. feel free to follow/like both and get well versed in autoimmune diseases. https://www.facebook.com/Mrs.lupus

I wish you luck on your journey, and I also have my story on my journey to a lupus diagnosis on my blog.

Wabby, this site used to be very busy but people come and go, and I think with facebook being so popular and having so many support groups people go there more now.

snb, pregnancy can def. bring on lupus symptoms due to the hormone increase.
Best wishes and gentle hugs! xo

Thanks ladies! I have been here on the miscarriage boards for awhile now and am glad to have found such a supportive group of people.

@snb- Besides joint pain and swelling I am having fatigue, hair loss, weight loss, decreased appetite, ear pain/ringing with no infection, little painful red bumps on my toes next to the nailbeds that come and go, cold intolerance, poor circulation in fingers and toes (My sister has bad Ranaud's; I don't have the color changes but my toes get cold and painful and take forever to warm up), increase in skin allergy symptoms (itchy spots, hives) despite my regular antihistamine that usually prevents it. I think that's it. Yikes, that's a lot.

I am hoping to get some answers soon.

@mar- Thanks so much for the info. i will definitely look into your blog and facebook pages.

@Wabby- I actually didn't realize that Lupus and RA are treated similarly, so that is good to know! Thanks!

Sometime the diagnosis of Lupus takes forever.The classifications for it are these 11 groups that you fit into, including joint pain, fevers, mouth sores, rashes, etc.
Common ways that Lupus is for sure diagnosed is with biopsies, such as that of the kidney and spine. I've had three biopsies, and the kidney one confirmed my Lupus diagnosis.
I hope all is well and your illness is something that will pass! Otherwise, you have us here for support :)

Mar, yes I completely understand! We all have lives to live on top of our health, it can be difficult to have the time/energy to pop on here to read the posts, let alone reply! But we definitely have the quality even if we don't quite have the quantity of the other boards. The people here are amazingly helpful and supportive and have so much knowledge (more than my doctors in some cases!).

I'm on Plaquenil, Prednisone and just changed from Meloxicam to Naproxen due to liver problems. All these meds are used in RA, Lupus, Sjogren's and Psoriatic Arthritis (these 4 are what my doctors are narrowing down my symptoms too).

Boofy- I'm sorry to hear you were diagnosed so young. I have read of people having a confirmed Lupus diagnosis (bloods, pretty much every symptom) and having their obvious malar rash biopsied, only for it to be negative. The diagnosis still stood, but biopsies and blood tests can be wrong.

And sorry for posting twice the first time, weird stuff happens on this site sometimes!

Wabby- Yes, diagnosis seems to be so hard to diagnose! You can have a positive DNA or not, biopsies don't always prove everything, and it's just hard.
We are trying to see if my mom could have Lupus also, she has been very sick all her life with many signs of Lupus, but she has a negative ANA and requires a biopsy to confirm anything.
I wish this disease was easier to diagnose.
I heard about Lady Gaga's parents opening a restaurant that benefits Lupus research and got excited. If there were a vaccine or a cure or even a better understanding of Lupus, that would be amazing.

*ANA not DNA lol

Hi and welcome Steph, hope you can get the support you need, to get and keep well.. These guys are an inspiration and a line line for me...... Looking forward to supporting you along your way.... Best wishes S

Ooooops.... Life line... fog blog...

Steph, welcome to the group and I do hope you'll find some answers soon. I hope mostly for you that your rheumy will be correct and that you're just suffering from hormonal imbalances following your pregnancy. A lot of the things you mentioned aren't uncommon postpartum (even in the months, not just the weeks, following). Like the hair loss for instance is something basically every mom goes through after giving birth, and it can go on for a pretty long time. Appetite changes, weight changes, fatigue, all that tend to accompany having a small baby. Some of these things may even be exacerbated by having had pre-eclampsia too. Please don't take what I'm saying as diminishing what you're experiencing, I mean it to be hopeful, that this is just something temporary and will eventually work itself out. My health deteriorated greatly after the birth of my second son, so I do understand how much frustration goes along with battling your body at the same time you're adjusting to a new baby, and I'm sorry you're stuggling. Wish you the best.

I just read your post and it sounds so much like my story..Recent child birth. 6 months postpartum, fatigue, joint pain. I thought I had RA too since I didnt have the "other" lupus stuff. I had no idea about the disease at all. Just out of curiousity which tests did they run in Jan??