Guest guest Posted January 8, 2008 Report Share Posted January 8, 2008 Sandie, I know you must have a Rheumatologist, and I would assume he/she has run very comprehensive panels of blood work. If they are only checking one or two places they need to widen the search. If you feel that you're not getting proper care or getting actual answers to your questions you need to seek a second opinion with a new Rheumy. Lupus and Rheumatoid are both auto-immune diseases, where the body attacks itself. This you already know. The difference is that Lupus can lead to so many other complications. Stroke, heart attack, kidney failure, and of course, PF. It can attack your vital organs without any warning. Lupus can also cause arthritis. For years we thought my arthritis was due to the lupus, but it turns out I have RA separate from the lupus. The butterfly rash should be their first clue. They need to rule lupus out definitively and if you don't have it they need to find the cause of the rash. Rheumatoid arthritis attacks your joints, and can also contribute to PF. RA is more a chronic disease, where Lupus can be fatal if not treated. So while they can have similarities they are NOT the same disease. They CAN be overlapping however. I have several AI diseases and they call it Overlapping Syndrome. It took a hospital stay for me to find the right Rheumy, who took the time to run extensive tests. He helped me a great deal, and also found the PF. My first Rheumy was just basing my condition on old results from ancient blood work and not expanding the search. He was happy with " status quo " and I was not. He also refused to see me when my body froze up on me with arthritis. He told me to see my GP, who told me to go the ER. Nice guys, huh? I just needed some prednisone.....then the hospital tried to kill me with an overdose of painkillers, but that's ANOTHER story...LOL! I've since had to change Rheumy's due to insurance, but really like this one I've had for about 5 years now. It's important to feel comfortable with your Docs, all of them, because then you can ask any question you need or want to without feeling like an idiot for doing so. I hope I answered your questions with my rambling...I DO tend to get carried away.... Best of luck, and please let me know how you do. You will be in my prayers! Hugs! Babs in Texas > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Zena, > > > > > > > > I know you won't see this for a bit because of the > time > > > > > > difference but > > > > > > > I was wondering if you could share with me what kinds > of > > > > symptoms > > > > > > you > > > > > > > have/had from the dermatomyositis? How was it > diagnosed? My > > > > doctor > > > > > > is > > > > > > > planning a biopsy of the rash and blistering on my > hands > > > but I'm > > > > > > having > > > > > > > alot more fatigue recently and some muscle and joint > pain. > > > I was > > > > > > > wondering if you had those kinds of symptoms? > > > > > > > > Anything you'd care to share I would greatly > appreciate. > > > I > > > > feel > > > > > > like > > > > > > > my body is revolting against me. LOL > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Beth in NC age 48 Fibrotic NSIP 06/06 > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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