Up date from DRs visit this week-second opinions

July 17, 2004

I went to another rheumy. I was able to get in earlier than expected

due to a cancellation. He's a professor of rheumitolog at USF in

Tampa. I really like this DR. He's in the same group as the

hepitologist I'm now seeing for my Hep C. After going over all my

blood work. The new rheumy said that there may have been some false

positives in my blood work that led up to my Lupus dx. This can be

caused by having the Hep C virus. He said that my symptoms- joint,

pain, extreme fatigue, etc are consistant with both Lupus and

advancing Hep C virus. He's not 100 0/0 sure, but he's leaning in

that direction. So he took 9 more vials of blood and an X-ray of my

hands. I was with him and a student for about an hour and a half.

And what's nice is that the lab is right there and radiology. So

everything was done there. And all my reports from my hepitologist

are right ther too.No more chasing down records. So, the roller

coaster continues. I did see a psych there yesterday and am on a new

anti-deppressant and xanax as needed. It was an emotionally draining

session, but it felt good to really spill my guts about how all this

is effecting me. The rheumy has me on Plaqeunil at night only or

every other night, if I still have bad side effects from it. He also

ordered the brand name, since I was having problems with the

generic. He did say that even if I don't have Lupus, the Plaqeunil

will help with these symptomms even if they are from the virus. He

also gave me some Darvon for the pain in my hands and arms. I mean

whatever I have, I still feel like crap, but it would give a bit

closure to find out what it is. Then I can decide about treatment.

The strange thing about all this is about a month ago, my neighbor

called me to tell me that she had met 2 people out here that had

gone to a rheumy and were dxd with Lupus and then got second

opinions and were told that they did not have Lupus.She was

wondering who this DR is that is giving out incorrect dxs. Turns out

it was the same DR that dxd me. And I had been praising him for

dxing me so quickly, after reading that it took so long for some to

get dxd. Well, maybe he's a little too quick. We'll see.

My advice, if you're confused or recently dxd, get a second opinion

and if you can, get it from a teaching hospital's DR.

That's about it. And whatever I have, I'm a Lupie! No one's taking

that away from me. I have too much invested in the love and

compassion of this group. Luv you all, Robyn

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