how do i get my daughter tested

[shezzle]

Hi
some off you know me on here but some dont, i have had lupus for 6 years.
my daughter who is 4 next week is showing signs to me of lupus. she gets red cheeks after she has been out in the sun. she also has blotchy skin all the time which is what i had when i was younger.
is she too young and should i mention it to my rheumy.
her dad thinks i am being silly as it is only a slim chance. but i nearly died 6 years ago because nobody knew what was wrong with me
all my hug sherylxxxxxx

[Maia]

If these are your daughter's only symptoms, then I wouldn't get her tested if she was my daughter. Many children get bright red cheeks out in the heat or sun whether it's hot or cold outside! The splotchiness I'm not so sure about...

But if she's active, and not in pain, and not getting fevers or any other troubling symptoms, then I'd just let it be.

All that said, I know how easy it is to worry about our daughters since I also have one that is two now. I do find myself looking at her and wondering sometimes... when she's gotten a rash (one over most of her body once due to a virus I guess) or a splotch on her skin (actually had ringworm but of course that wasn't my first thought!)... but I think that unless there is really clear and convincing "evidence" then it's probably best left alone. At four, she's old enough to wonder and possibly worry about why she went to the doctor, and had to get blood drawn, etc.

I hope it's nothing, but definitely keep an eye on her as I know you will.

[Raglet]

I would tend to agree with the pp - also blood tests can be very distressing to a young child with their tiny veins, so I personally would only do it if she had other symptoms. Lupus is a multisystem disease, so if lupus is present then there tends to be symptoms in more than one system (eg joints, skin, lungs, whatever).

at the end of the day the choice is yours, talk to her doctor if you are concerned.

raglet

[peonyprincess]

I disagree with the others. If you are worried about your daughter potentially having Lupus, then get her tested. I wouldn't have ALL the labs drawn that you and I would have, but just an ANA. Of course talk to her pediatrician and see what they think. While lab draws can be rough on a child, they soon forget.

I had this lovely disease since I was in junior high and have been dealing with this now for 24+ years. Last summer my youngest daughter who is 10 was diagnosed with Lupus and now we are looking at my 17yr old daughter for Lupus as well. Sometimes mothers need to do things that we now might hurt our children temporarily when we question a problem with their health. Is it possible that your child is fine and that the blotches, etc are nothing to worry about, yes. However, if will worry you to no end and cause you more stess. It is always better to error on the side of caution.


Nancy

[Clare.T]

Hi Sheryl

I'd keep a very close eye on her for any other signs like lethargy, changes in physical activity, off food, sick often, being tired, malaise. Watch for changes in gait since children might not complain of a joint pains.

However I would make sure she uses a suitable sun screen and would not let her out in the sun in the middle of the day. That's commonsense for skin cancer concerns apart from lupus

I think it's awful to imbue the fear of lupus in a child when there are no physical signs. Blood tests alone mean nothing and of course being realistic, in our system you can't just trot along to a pediatrician, and most GP's would send you off with a flea in your ear. That's what they tend to do when anybody really is ill !

With your own experience you will certainly not let anything wrong pass for nothing.

Hugs
Clare

[Ann2]

Hi

It is only natural that we are anxious about our children's health, you have to follow your gut feeling. However personally unless she was obviously suffering some discomfort I do not think I would pursue it at this stage, although I would be monitoring her for any further developments.

Best wishes

Annx