Hi again All 
Well, another showing of how different opinions are from specialists relating to Lupus and it's symptoms!
A few weeks ago I went to The London Lupus Centre where the rhumy I saw said that my skin condition was definitely discoid lupus. He was in no doubt what-so-ever to the point where he made it official in writing.
Then today I went to see my NHS dermatologist who having just looked at my back said it was NOT discoid lupus but was in fact a flare of my eczema. Also, regarding sun exposure and photosensitivity, the dermatologist said that the only way to tell if the sun will bring on a Lupus Flare is ONLY IF you come up with a rash anywhere on the exposed skin. If you DON'T come up with a rash then you ARE NOT photosensitive. He also mentioned that you only need to use sunblock on areas not covered with clothing. So, if you are wearing a t-shirt you only need to apply block to the uncovered parts of the arms. These opinions obviously differs to what a lot, if not most, people on here experience when being in the sun - covered or uncovered!
The worrying thing about all this is why are there so many blatantly differing opinions on these things!
It is so worrying to think that one dr will say a certain symptom is nothing to worry about... and he may be totally wrong!!
In our case, and in cases of everyone who suffers such illnesses as ours, who do we believe?!?!?!?!?
I will be going for a biopsy of the skin as soon as an appt comes through. But in the mean time I've been advised to apply steroid creams to the affected areas and to take antihistamines. Is it actually safe for us Lupus sufferers to take antihistamines?
So so worried and confused. After my Pleurisy scare this was all I needed
Well, another showing of how different opinions are from specialists relating to Lupus and it's symptoms!
A few weeks ago I went to The London Lupus Centre where the rhumy I saw said that my skin condition was definitely discoid lupus. He was in no doubt what-so-ever to the point where he made it official in writing.
Then today I went to see my NHS dermatologist who having just looked at my back said it was NOT discoid lupus but was in fact a flare of my eczema. Also, regarding sun exposure and photosensitivity, the dermatologist said that the only way to tell if the sun will bring on a Lupus Flare is ONLY IF you come up with a rash anywhere on the exposed skin. If you DON'T come up with a rash then you ARE NOT photosensitive. He also mentioned that you only need to use sunblock on areas not covered with clothing. So, if you are wearing a t-shirt you only need to apply block to the uncovered parts of the arms. These opinions obviously differs to what a lot, if not most, people on here experience when being in the sun - covered or uncovered!
The worrying thing about all this is why are there so many blatantly differing opinions on these things!
It is so worrying to think that one dr will say a certain symptom is nothing to worry about... and he may be totally wrong!!
In our case, and in cases of everyone who suffers such illnesses as ours, who do we believe?!?!?!?!?
I will be going for a biopsy of the skin as soon as an appt comes through. But in the mean time I've been advised to apply steroid creams to the affected areas and to take antihistamines. Is it actually safe for us Lupus sufferers to take antihistamines?
So so worried and confused. After my Pleurisy scare this was all I needed