[Maz0252]

Hi Folks

Just thought I would introduce myself on the forum.

I'm struggling with a load of symptoms at the moment with doctors not being able to diagnose me.

Luckily I have some medical experience and have done some research myself and believe I may have lupus. There is history of autoimmune disease in the family as well.

I'm off to my GP at the end of the week to chat to him about the possibility of it.

At the moment I'm not coping well - especially with the pain and fatigue but it has lifted my spirits a bit that I may well be onto something with my diagnosis.

 

[cath]

HI Maz,

Welcome to te foum ad nice to meet you. I am sorry you are unwell.

Going to see your GP is a good first start.

What is your medical background? I hope that your medical experience has also taught you that doctors are usuall very resistant to being told what is wrong and to paitents who self diagnose. You need to state your problems clearly and be firm about your need to get the bottom of the problem, but absolutely don't walk into the office and say "I've diagnosed myself - its lupus" Hopefully I'm preaching to the choir here and you had no intention of doing this!

If possible, say to your GP that you were wondering if there might be something autoimmune going on, and that you'd appreciate referal to a rheumatologist. Most GP's aren't able to recognise and diagnose lupus and the related connective tissue diseases. He/she may do an ANA test for you, but whether this is negaive or positive you need a rheumatologist to assess you further. Where do you live?

All the best with your appointment!

X C X

 

[Maia]

Hello and welcome!

You've found a great place for information and support I hope your GP is open to the possibility, and will run some basic tests for you to get to the bottom of things sooner rather than later. It may be helpful to bring a list of the symptoms that have most concerned you over the last several years as well. Sometimes, doctors will forget about something that happened 2 years ago but when you have a list of all the symptoms it becomes much more obvious that something autoimmune should be considered.

Take care and welcome again!

 

[LolaLola]

Hello Maz,
Wishing you all the best.
Take time to put your medical history together. Many of us find our memories a bit erratic.
Hope you get some help.
x Lola

 

[Maz0252]

Hi Guys

Thanks for your kind thoughts - my background is in nursing so fairly used to Doctors being resistant to patients and their thoughts. Luckily I have a great GP who is open to suggestions.

I've had a load of blood taken this week and the results will be back by Friday and although my GP asked me if there was anything else I wanted to add to it, as I hadn't made the link I didn't ask for an ESR test or the ANA test so I figure I'll have to give the nurse some more of my blood!!!!!

Fingers crossed he is receptive this week and we can start making progress on things....

 

[Mrs M]

Hi Maz and welcome

Hope you're doing ok at the moment.

Lets hope that you get answers from your blood tests this Friday and can start getting things on track.

Take care Mrs M