I was initially diagnosed with Lupus. I went to the doctor with polyarthritis and fatigue that came on after pneumonia and wouldn't go away. In the labs my ANA was high. When I finally saw a rheumatologist my ANA was normal, but based on physical findings he diagnosed sero-negative RA. My PCP keeps the lupus diagnosis on there, though. Many treatments are the same or similar. I had auto-immune disorders before this-- celiac's, hasimoto's, uveitis, asthma, allergies... So however we diagnose it, it's just more wonky auto-immune stuff.
Sorry you are going through this!

so sorry. i don't have lupus, though when i was first diagnosed, the rheumatologist i was seeing narrowed it down to either lupus or ra, and the bloodwork and xrays told her that it was ra, rather than lupus. i've been under the impression that people can often have more than one autoimmune condition, so it's probably not entirely uncommon to have lupus and ra.

I guess since they are both autoimmune diseases they will kinda sort of have the same affects? So having one or both won't make much of a difference right? Anyways...thanks for your compassion. I really appreciate it!

Hi there, just read your question and yes, I have both, really sucks, figure I have RH because of the lupus. I went a few years with out a diagnoses cause I was told that lupus is the disease with a 1000 faces and it affects differant organs at differant times. If you are able, there is medication for it, unfortunatly I am highly allergic to it so I have uncontrollable lupus which puts me into flares quite often. Don't mean to be a downer, but read up on it, figure what is happening to you when you have a flare, mine right now is affecting my ribcage and pain level is really high, be really diligent with the sun, it will mess you up so be careful, go to the drug store (shoppers) and you can get some really good face cream to help with the "butterfly" rash on your face, not cheap, but worth every dime, not sure of the name right now but it is anti-redness from Rocey-posse, watch what soap you use, nothing with too much perfume, I like dove and dont react to it, drink LOTS of water to clean your kidnees out, (sorry about spelling) and listen to your body, if need to, take naps to help with the fatigue, tylonal for the headaches and ask for pain meds, also watch for fevers, if to high go to emerg and tell them you have lupus, the thing about that is it usally gets you in fast cause you cannot be around really sick people, and if friends are sick, they MUST stay away from you. Really sorry I sound all gloom and doom, but though trial and error you will learn what affects you and makes you sick and what you can tollerate, take care and good luck.

One last thing, you asked how often you have flares, depends, can go weeks and feel fine, but then can be sick for days. I have been dealing with this for about 10 years and still dont have any answers.

Jean66 It's ok. You're not being a downer. I am interested in what others are going through And what they do to cope. I am battling the fatigue at this very moment. It's worse than my pain! I haven't felt this bad since October so it comes and goes with me as well. It doesn't help that I have to work but I manage to make it through an 8 hour shift. Thanks for your advice and compassion!

Well I was diagnosed with RA in June... however I still wonder if I may have lupus instead of RA or in addition to RA. The reason I think this is that I had a negative RA factor and anti-ccp, but positive ANA. When I questioned my rheumy about this it was hard to get a straight answer. I was told that it is positive in auto immune disease which I already knew. Although I have more RA symptoms than Lupus symptoms it still bugs me that my rheumy didn't seem concerned. I do take plaquenil so that eases my mind a bit that at least if I have Lupus I am treating it with the right drug.
And yes I have heard quite often of people having both diseases unfortunately. Good luck to you...

I was diagnosed 3 years ago with lupus and 13 yrs ago with RA. My rheumatologist says treatments are virtually the same for both. I have noticed the fatigue is worse since I have been diagnosed with both. Spread out your chores throughout the week if you can. Good luck and stay strong.

I have RA and sjogrens. I had one Aunt that died from lupus before she was thirty. I haven't been diagnosed with lupus, but it is the only genetic link I can find. I am like another poster, everything negative , except elevated ANA. Whatever!