Re: Touch of Lupus??? For

[Guest guest]

Over 20 years ago I had what looked like a butterfly rash on my face according to my mother and family dr. By the time I saw the Rheumatologist it was gone. I had already been diagnosed with Rheumatoid arthritis and Fibro. He hadn''t thought I had Lupus. Several years later when battling to keep my private pay disability from my last job, I read in his notes that I had "Lupus like symptoms. He never mentioned it to me. The insurance company said I had Lupus. When I asked him about it he said "sometimes it's best to let the insurance company think what they want". Several more years passed and I was in his office talking about my other rare problems and he said well you've got Lupus. "LUPUS!!!!!!!!!!!", I replied. News to me. As he hurried me out of the office I said I needed to see about my

lower back pain and he barked "no more pain medicine". I dislike what I take now. Turned out I had 3 bulging discs in my back for approx. 27 years that were pushing on all kinds of nerves to my limbs and even organs according to the chiropractor. I wasn't asking for meds from him just a test to look at what was going on back there. I finally didn;t beleive the 'trigger point" explanation anymore. Next visit I asked why it took so long to find out about it, got the run around and for the first time in 22 years was sent for random drug screen on a medicine that another doctor prescribes. Is this what you meant by a little Lupus? I recently found another Rhematologist that I saw once and waiting to see if I'm going to permanently switch. There aren't a whole lot of them around. Never knew I had trouble with him in over the 20 years I'd seen him until lately. Melody Now it appears I could've

had Lupus for over 20 years now. It does take a while to diagnose. I would take it seriously and do everything you can to get answers. If nothing else wear a wide brimmed hat and sun block on exposed skin even in winter, My aunt who has it says her doctor said to protect yourself from sun even when running out to the car because it has an accumaltive effect. Yes it's annoying, and overwhelming to get another diagnosis. Maybe that is why he said not to worry about it now. But it is better to protect yourself and get to the bottom than to look back and realize you've not protected yourself and possibly did more damage than necessary because of incompetency, because now I'm furious and sickened at the thought of laying out in the sun, with tanning oil and on the water to boot wondering why I was so ill. Love and hugs. Your doctor most likely knows whaat's in your best interest than I do.