Question: Hello Doctor,
I wrote to you in the past regarding some concerns with possible lupus. I went to a follow up with my primary back in April, and I was told that it was not lupus and that my symptoms seemed unrelated. So, when I asked for ANA test (as you recommended), she told me it wasn't necessary. She told me my joint pain was possibly due to low vitamin D and that my low white blood cell count did not mean lupus. So, I left it at that. The swelling and joint pain continued on and off. I continued to take vitamin D and kept taking the usual herbs that I had been taking before (for the joint pain).
I haven't been to see my doctor since then. I have been to the eye doctor several times though. My dry eyes are getting out of control, and I recently developed some type of nodule in one of my eyes surrounded by redness and burning that covers the entire white part of my eye. The eye doctor asked me if I had RA or Lupus and I said "no" but that I had a few symptoms before. After completing an eye exam, he told me I had inflammation that may be due to the dryness I suffer. My joint pain is coming back (as it comes and goes). My eyebrows and eye lashes are thinning, and I have become more sensitive to the sun. I live in a warm, XXXXXXX place, and I feel I am used to the weather. However, this past week, I was out on a warm day (not too hot) and my face became extremely red (almost a purple hue) and I felt feverish. The eye with the nodule was extremely red and affected. I have been a healthy person all of my life. I try to eat as healthy as possible, and I exercise regularly. Thus, all of these symptoms are causing concern; they are new and very noticeable. I honestly feel as if my symptoms were not taken seriously by my primary doctor, and I just wanted to get more guidance and clarity from you. I would also like to mention that 3 of my maternal aunts suffer and have suffered from RA (one past away already).Through blood tests and X-rays, RA was eliminated as the cause for my joint swelling and pain. I am wondering If I do have lupus? And if my symptoms are enough to be labeled as such? I know I probably need to go see my primary again, but I would really appreciate your opinion based on the symptoms I have described.
Thank you very much!
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Is a ESR of 18 within a normal range?