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.
Hi there,
New to this group because I never considered that Lupus would be a possible diagnosis. I saw my rheumatologist a week and bit ago for the first time and I'm 50/50 Lupus or Psoriac Arthritis with IBD that needs investigating aswell. I was prescribed Plaquenil and Vimovo. I was very surprised because I wasn't given a diagnosis but now that I've been taking it I'm extremely greatful as it has reduced my pain and stiffness and the horrible sharp stabbing pains in my arms wrists and hands. I haven't taken the Vimovo.
I had a tonne of blood work done as well as x-rays and haven't received the results yet.. Was called today by the rheumatolgist's office but missed the call.
So I'm wondering if this is normal procedure? I'm just worried about taking meds that I don't need. If that makes sense.. Even though they seem to working.. Any experience or advice??
New to this group because I never considered that Lupus would be a possible diagnosis. I saw my rheumatologist a week and bit ago for the first time and I'm 50/50 Lupus or Psoriac Arthritis with IBD that needs investigating aswell. I was prescribed Plaquenil and Vimovo. I was very surprised because I wasn't given a diagnosis but now that I've been taking it I'm extremely greatful as it has reduced my pain and stiffness and the horrible sharp stabbing pains in my arms wrists and hands. I haven't taken the Vimovo.
I had a tonne of blood work done as well as x-rays and haven't received the results yet.. Was called today by the rheumatolgist's office but missed the call.
So I'm wondering if this is normal procedure? I'm just worried about taking meds that I don't need. If that makes sense.. Even though they seem to working.. Any experience or advice??
My first trip to Rheumatologist followed previous trips to Urologist, cardiologist, twenty years with neurologist, trip to gastroenterologist......
I was given steroids first trip to Rheumatologist and given Plaquenil on 2nd visit. Since my bloodwork wasn't received by inept hospital at time of visit, was told I have Lupusoid condition. She didn't want to say Lupus without the bloodwork. Have history of nosebleeds, white blood cell and liver problems.
Steroids rid me of most pain with minimal itching! Just started Plaquenil but she said could take weeks to see improvement. I want my life back! Hard to get through the fatigue fog. Now it's intensified from the Plaquenil.
Don't think I've met you before, so welcome to this group of nice people. My ANA has always been negative and my ESR high, but my doctor still suspected Lupus. However, he wouldn't treat me because of the negative ANA. Kept getting worse and was finally diagnosed with Polymyositis (possibly lupus-induced because of lack of treatment). My Lupus diagnosis came a couple years later as a result of skin biopsies of rashes that wouldn't clear up. So you might want to see a derma who will do skin biopsies whenever your skin is acting up.
@CanadianRA
Several autoimmune diseases are treated with the same meds, so that's probably why your doctor prescribed Plaquenil before you received a definitive diagnosis. Best wishes to you.