Undiagnosed and new here

[lorikeet]

Hi, I'm a 42 yo with all sorts of stuff going on health-wise. Will post later in the undiagnosed area with more details but it seems I might be heading for an SLE dx, and/or Sjogren's or MCTD, etc. Also have type 2 diabetes and hypothyroid (but not treated yet) added into the mix to make it more interesting...

More personal details, I'm married, have two boys, 8 and 12...live in Perth, Western Australia. I'm studying part-time by distance...keeps life busy.

I'd write more but my arm is sore from typing too much today. Will join in again later on.

Cheers,
lorikeet

[amusedkitten]

scary..isn't it...i'm 54..just found out earlier this week that i may have lupus..and absolutely terrified

[raggedyann1]

Hello lorikeet,

Welcome to The Lupus Site !!

Lori it sounds like you have already had some bloodwork and are being seen by a rheumatologist already. If so that is positive in that you are being taken seriously and details are still being figured out. I am not a mixie (mctd) because I do not have the rnp antibodies but I have lupus overlap with scleroderma and rheumatoid arthritis with some fibromyalgia on the side. The important thing in the end is getting treatment. I had a couple of rheumatologists along the way that doubted my diagnosis but they could see my medications were working and didn't try to tinker with them.

There are several Aussies that are active here. We truly seem to cover the world. The good part about that is that off an on 24/7 there are people in the chatroom. USA evening is early afternoonish for our aussie members so that is one good time period to pop in chat if you are online.

I will look for your other posts and get to know you a bit better.

Take care,
Karen

[lorikeet]

Amusedkitten, I had bloodwork showing a very high ANA a couple years ago and my gp mentioned lupus, which terrified me. I've since done heaps of reading on the subject, and don't feel so terrified as before. Still working on a dx of some sort though. It seems that for many with lupus it is very treatable but you want someone who knows what they are doing on your side.

[lorikeet]

Karen, thanks for the welcome. I do have a positive anti-RNP but it only just went positive on my last bloodwork. I've had three ANAs that were very high over the last few years and lots of non-specific symptoms so it's hard to know where this is going. Will write out all the details later when I've got a bit more time.

[alobreto]

Hi, Lorikeet! ;)
And welcome to the forum!

You've come to a great place for understanding and support from people who've been going through some of the same things that you are going through. Waiting for a diagnosis can be a stressful time!

It sounds like you're doing all the right things in pursuing information and appropriate treatment. I hope that you get some help soon. Treatment makes all the difference in how we do.

Again, welcome to the forum! I wish you well!
Angela :)

[lorikeet]

Thanks very much for the welcome, Angela. I'm sure I'll be checking out the forums regularly.

lorikeet