Hello all

[willsandco]

My husband, Bill, has seen the dermatologist who has referred him on urgently to a rheumatologist but she thinks, from the test results and his general medical condition that it is lupus.

Symptoms have been over last four years, rashes, hair loss, increasing fatigue. Recent flare up was dramatic - vicious red blotches all over the body, arms and legs and hair loss. Weight plummeted by 1 stone over 6 or 7 days. Doctors feared that the infection would be overwhelming and result in septicaemia but we took the medication, covered him practically head to toe with Fucidil and held our breath and he got better!

Very tired, fatigued, depressed really! Constantly battling with skin eruptions.
Bruises easily.

I just wanted to say how good this site is. It is immensely supportive for us families. It is not easy living with Lupus, is it? - if that is what it is when the final diagnosis comes. From reading the other posts, some of the symptoms are very similar.

He is 67 now, but was really fit, always on the go, always wanting to be in the sun. I suppose those days have gone to some degree. However, we motorcaravan and we will get back out there!

Great to know you are all out there.

Bill's wife Joycie

[Katharine]

Hi Joycie,
I don't have much to say other than welcome to the site. You have come to a good place for advice and support. I hope your husband finds out what's going on and if it is confirmed to be lupus that he gets relief from treatment.
Keep us posted on his results,
Best of luck to both of you,
Katharine

[Clare.T]

Welcome to the forum Joycie

Bill is lucky to have you looking after him and I am sure you will find the forum a great help.
I am lost about the 'furicid' ( nothing on google) and what that might have to do with lupus but no matter. Is it an antibiotic or anti fungal ?

It's good that Bill's symptoms are being investigated. There's an overwhelming amount of information about lupus online and mostly the worst cases. This forum isn't truly representative either because people whose lupus is well controlled living 'normal' busy lives don't usually post here.

We'll help you all we can - meanwhile read up about symptoms and blood tests and diagnosis. Have a look at the criteria lists to see what Bill can relate to. Draw up complete health history and a of note chronic health problems of close blood relatives
Start keeping a list of all tests done and their results. That way you can be informed and empowered, better able to talk things over with doctors and judge if all is being done as it should be.

Please let us know how you get on

Say hello to Bill please :)

Bye for now

Clare

[LolaLola]

Hello Joycie,

I hope you get some news soon and are able to move towards Bill feeling better.
x Lola

[Joandublin]

Hi Joycie

Welcome to the Forum. Im sorry about what brings you here of course but Im glad that you have found us if it turns out that your doctors suspicions are correct and that your husband does indeed have Lupus.

I was struck by what you said about your husband being depressed. Lupus can actually cause depression in some people. Sometimes its hard to know if the depression is part of the disease process or, indeed, if it is a reaction to having to deal with a chronic disease and all its limitations. Whatever the cause - the end result is the same. There are many members here who are on anti depressant medication and who couldnt function properly without it.

Maybe you should get your husband to talk to his doctor about this?

As for the motorcaravanning....yes of course you will get back there again! I dont partake myself but I have friends who do and I know how much it means to them. Its a way of life:)

Take care for now
Joan:rose: