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Suggest Treatment For Symptoms Of Lupus

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Posted on Wed, 25 Jan 2017
Question: I had been dx'd with lupus for 12 yrs until my physician retired 3 years ago. Since that time, I have been seen by two rheumatologists. Both have said I do not have lupus after running tests. I have all the classic symptoms except the butterfly rash. Instead I get it between my eyebrows. It affects my skin with vasculitis and have had that three times. I have been in remission for 4 years. But, I am now going through a bout of severe arthritis and stiffening of muscles along with blueness of my fingers again and a low grade fever with severe itching and plaques over my scalp and forehead and swollen glands. I have presented like this to this "reumy" before and he still said I didn't have lupus. I also have S'jogren's. I think I need to be back on Plaquinil but have reservations about taking Prednisone. Had Fungal pneumonia Mar'16 and on 50 mg twice per day of Prednisone and it gave me a temp case of Diabetes Type 2 until I cleared it from my system. I do not have access to my old doctor's records as she left her practice when I was out of state for two months so I didn't geta chance to have them sent. Darn it!!!

This flare (if it is one) has given me a rash all over my back as well.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Divya Agarwal (50 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Lupus

Detailed Answer:
hi
it is a possibility that the present problem could be lupus.
However all joint pains may not be arthritis and muscle stiffness may not be myositis.
This needs to be confirmed by physical examination of the joints and muscles.
blood investigation like blood counts and inflammatory markers like esr and crp will also tell us.
However since this is largely a clinical diagnosis the rheumatologist s word is important.
plaquenil is a relatively safe medication but prednisone should be taken only if indicated.
Regards
Note: For further information on diet changes to reduce allergy symptoms or to boost your immunity, Ask here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng
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Answered by
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Dr. Divya Agarwal

Rheumatologist

Practicing since :1999

Answered : 659 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Symptoms Of Lupus

Brief Answer: Lupus Detailed Answer: hi it is a possibility that the present problem could be lupus. However all joint pains may not be arthritis and muscle stiffness may not be myositis. This needs to be confirmed by physical examination of the joints and muscles. blood investigation like blood counts and inflammatory markers like esr and crp will also tell us. However since this is largely a clinical diagnosis the rheumatologist s word is important. plaquenil is a relatively safe medication but prednisone should be taken only if indicated. Regards