Question: HI, I have a rheumatology question. I am a 46 YO white male, height 6'4 weight 240lbs in fair health. I was diagnosed with a conduction disorder of the heart that causes episodes of atrial fib which had to be converted by shock several times in the past. NO, episodes within the past couple years other than PVCs. I take no meds and I'm in NSR - i only take magnesium oxide 400 mg/day which seems to stabilize my heart. When I was younger I had low gamma globulin - i believe it was igg deficiency and I was sick a lot with various respiratory illnesses. As i got older in the teens the recurrent respiratory illness faded as I started producing igg. The question I have is that over the years, I seem to have episodes of a skin rash around my nose and a rash on my chest, both respond to dexomethasone cream. But, I have had episodes of mild soreness in my chest and that seems to corresspond to increasing myocardial irritablity in the form of pac's and pvcs during these 'flares'. I treated with ibuprofen 600 mg around 2 or 3 times a day and that seems to help. It seems these flares come and go. I had a SLE antibody test done two years ago and it was negative. other blood values seem to be fine. Question: Given the past history of hypogammaglobenemia and these recurrent symptoms - could I be suffering from some type of mild autoimmune disorder?? one in which is related to the skin rashes, GI symptoms (heartburn, etc.) and mild pericarditis or myocarditis type symptoms that I seem to experience. Your opinion on the matter would be greatly appreciated. thank you. XXXX

Hello, Thank u for answering. I just remembered that i had instances of low grade fever and night sweats a couple years back that lasted a couple months. I think 2 episodes. That isfinenow temp normal and no nightsweats. i did have an episode of sudden floaters in my eyes dx as vitreous degeneration and i had laser surgery last summer. Could that be related to autoimmune eye condition as well. im taking ibuprofen 800mg bid. If it was lupus do u recommend a more frequent dosing. It seems to be helping me right now. Thank u. XXXX pharmD. Ps if u had to guess with no blood tests do u think or feel like it could be a mild lupus case on sx and hx alone. Thank u again.

Hi I am confused. The lupus foundation of XXXXXXX (lupus.org) lists ibuprofen along with other nsaids for treatment of mild cases of lupus and associated joint pain. It states. ...for many people an nsaid may be all they need to control their lupus.. It then lists corticosteroids and then immune suppressants for moderate to severe cases of lupus. The nsaid at very least has helped the mild chest pain i have experienced. Thank you. XXXX