Newly Diagnosed

[Guest guest]

Recently I have been told that my test results indicate that I have

dermatomyositis and systemic lupus overlapping. Last April this all started with

a quarter sized, rough, itchy, red, burning patch of skin on my chest near my

collar bone. It began to spread, some areas got better, and it seemed to have

went away at one point. In September of last year I woke up one morning and

could barely get up off of the couch. I was achy all over, had overall muscle

weakness in my thighs and upper arms. I couldn't hold my arms over my head long

enough to brush my hair. The flu was going around at that time so I assumed

that's what it was. After a month and nothing was getting better I went to see

my general practitioner. He ran a bunch of blood tests and since everything came

back " normal " he diagnosed me with Fibromyalgia. I went on Savella for 12 days

and had what I thought was an allergic reaction to the medicine (redness, rash,

and swelling on my face). I

discontinued it and started Cymbalta. At the same time my doctor gave me a

steroid shot for the " allergic reaction " and the muscle weakness and pain eased

up. I went off of the Savella in January, was off of it for more than a month

and the rash, redness, and swelling came back on my face. The muscle weakness

was nearly intolerable, I was having leg and foot cramps every night, feeling

nauseous in the morning, severely tired all day everyday, joint pain, " static "

feeling all over my body, can't remember things, and I couldn't take anymore so

I went back to my doctor and asked him to run some more tests for B12

deficiency, low estrogen, Lyme disease and anything else he could think of that

could be causing this. He also referred me to a dermatologist for the stuff on

my face. My B12 level came back low and I have now had 2 shots and going for my

3rd tomorrow. Two weeks ago I saw the dermatologist and upon looking at the

rash, the violet red spots on my

knuckles, asking me about not being able to get up from the couch and not being

able to hold my hands above my head she ran some tests. ANA panel, muscle enzyme

tests, liver enzymes and who knows what else. She called last Thursday to tell

me what they indicated and that she would be referring me to a rheumatologist. I

have an appointment at Western Kentucky Rheumatology next Wednesday. I am now on

a 21 day course of prednisone in the meantime.

I am a very " natural " person, I would rather treat illnesses with essential

oils, supplements, diet etc. than take chemicals. I am one who wants to find the

root of the problem and " fix " it rather than mask it by covering up the

symptoms. I am 35 years old, I have 6 children ages 20 to 6 with my youngest son

having several rare medical problems of his own ( www.freewebs.com/tknbychance

).......I am having a very hard time coming to terms with all of this. Any help,

advice, information is greatly appreciated!! I am on Facebook my email is

tknbychance@... if anyone has an account send me a friend request!

Thanks in advance!!

Amy