Questions concerning my 3 year old...Long post

[ruthy]

Hi,

I just joined today because I am looking for answers for my daughter's illness.

She keeps getting sick every 4 to 6 weeks...almost clockwork for over a year now. She is sick to her stomach and runs a fever. We were told that she had a virus, but I have other children and none of my other children get sick when she does.

I have also noticed this weird rash on her cheek. Their are no bumps exactly, but a red patch on her face. The "rash" appears and within 12 to 15 hours she will be sick again. She does not usually have the fever when the rash first appears.

Also, she cries and cries at night saying that her legs hurt or that her toes hurt. When I ask her where on her toes, she points to the joints in her toes. I have noticed that the "rash" is on her face on the same days that she complains of the pain, but she doesn't get sick on these days:?

I have no idea what this may be, but someone mentioned Lupus because of the rash on her cheek. What type of doctor should I see to begin finding out what may be wrong with her? Can children as young as 3 have lupus? I thought that children around 14 years old could develop lupus, but I didn't think young children could have it. I am really confused and I do not know anything about lupus at all! Can anyone help direct me on where to look for more information?

Thanks for listening!

Ruthy

[Joandublin]

Hi Ruthy

Im really sorry your little one is so ill at the moment. It must be so worrying for you.

I will try and answer your questions as best I can and from what information I have gleaned since being diagnosed with Lupus about a year ago.

The onset of Lupus is most common between the ages of 15-45 (about 80%). However children can develop Lupus between the ages of 3 and the onset of puberty and usually accounts for about 5% of Lupus cases.

If you suspect Lupus you should ask your doctor for a referral to a rheumatologist. Your doctor may want to run some initial blood tests first, amongst which will probably be FBC (Full Blood Count), ANA (Anti Nuclear Antibody) and ESR (which measures inflammation in the body).

Here are a couple of links to blood tests which will help to explain them

http://www.hss.edu/Conditions/Lupus/Laboratory-Tests-In-Lupus

http://www.uklupus.co.uk/tests.html

In the meantime please keep a record of your daughters symptoms. This will be very helpful for any appointments you may have.

I dont know if your daughter has Lupus but she definitely has something wrong which needs immediate investigation. No child should be crying in pain from her joints. I would take her to see your GP immediately and start from there.

There are a few members here who have children with Lupus and they may come along soon and add some advice. Please keep checking your post for further responses. If you have any more questions please post.

The very best of luck
Luv n stuff
Joan:rose:

[ruthy]

Thank you so much for listening and offering your advice! I am going to search through the two links you have provided right now!

Thanks again,

Ruthy

[Joandublin]

Hi again Ruthy

Here is a link to the criteria for diagnosing Lupus

http://www.arc.org.uk/about_arth/med_reports/series3/pp/6332/6332.htm

Also another link which gives a more comprehensive list of possible symptoms

http://www.uklupus.co.uk/symplist.html

Luv n stuff
Joan:rose:

[ruthy]

Joan,

Thank you again for the wonderful links. I have scheduled an initial appointment with a new primary care doctor to ask for three specific blood tests to be performed.

I will probably be back here to ask for more advice as we begin the process. My hope is that we can rule out lupus and find a different cause for her pain and sickness!

Thank you again for listening,

Ruthy