Lupus

[Kingofthevagabonds]

I'm under investigation for some sort of inflammatory arthritus and generally not feeling well. The last time I saw rheumatologist my blood tests were positive for lupus, but he wanted to wait 4 months and see if test positive second time. I don't have all classic syptoms, no skin rashes but have joint pain and bad fatigue.

I keep getting outbreaks of incredibly painful tiny ulcers, sores and spots on my tongue. It is covered in them at the moment and so painful! Anyone know if this be lupus related?

Mouth ulcers can be one of the symptoms of Lupus - my DM was diagnosed with Lupus 8 years ago, and can suffer with them. She finds this website useful here

I didn't get the rashes at the start ( do now 15 years on tho.

And often get mouth ulcers.

Did he mention other similar conditions like Mixed Connective Tissue Disease and Sjögren's syndrome? They belong to the same family as Lupus, but have slightly different symptoms though mouth ulcers is common to both of them. I have MCTD and my mum has Sjögren's other common symptoms to both are pain which initially you think is joint, but when you really localise it the pain is around the joints rather than in them.

This is a really useful page.

Thanks for all the info will have a proper read, looks really helpful sand might give me a better idea what to mention at my next appointment. At a first glance I just noticed in the info that you linked to lone that it says about the dry eyes, this is another one of my symptoms but only in one eye . My eye feels like it has glass in it and is incredibly painful to open in the morning.

I have an appointment next week with next lot of results hopefully will get some answers. The ulcers are confined to my tongue though, is this usual?

If it is Sjögren's there is good treatment out there King, but only certain Rheumatologists are confident in making the diagnosis. The two I know off who have good experience are Mr Hazelman in Cambridge and Dr McNally in Reading.

Thank you that is helpful. I think it is likely that it is lupus as looking at the diagnostic features on the page manky linked to I have quite a few of them and all the blood markers. I guess I'll see what he says next week and may look at other avenues if he doesn't want to diagnose anything.

I'm already on hydroxychloriquine which is definitely making a difference to my mobility and fatigue. But wasn't sure if eye and tongue all related, and why only one eye!

How long have you been on the Hydroxychloroquinine and are you taking the branded Plaquenil?

Only started them at beginning of February and no they are not branded. Does that make a difference?

Funny enough my Rhemy asked me yesterday if I was having the branded as apparently more side affects with the generic ones.

My Rheumy also told me it mattered and that under no circumstances was to accept non-branded.

Oh yes Plaquenil takes up to 12 weeks to reach full effectiveness so you may not be at your best with it yet.

Wow thanks that is so useful to know I will check that out at my appointment next week thank you.