[danielle97]

Hello everyone,


I am new to this site, but I have been wondering if I have lupus. I'm currently waiting to schedule an appointment to see a specialist, but I just want to know what you guys think.

I'm a 20 year old female and have been diagnosed with Hashimoto's thyroiditis three years ago, have a vitamin d deficiency, gastritis, and low calcium and thinner bones.

I have been complaining about joint pain since I was 12, but have always had doctors tell me it was "growing pains." Even as I got older? Later on, I had an X-ray done and they saw fluid in my knees, but again, said growing pains. After the past couple of years, the pain has spread everywhere. My wrists hurt the most, and I'm constantly trying to pop them to feel better. I cannot sit comfortably in a chair and am always trying to find a way to keep my shoulder or back from hurting. In addition to this, I've had gastrointestinal problems for quite some time, headaches, low-grade fevers, and periods of sadness. I've also found it increasingly difficult to concentrate or remember something. It's so hard for me to sit down and study or memorize something for my classes in college, even though I've always loved working. I get out of breath very easily going to class and have to stand outside of the room for a couple of minutes trying to breath normally before I enter the room. My heart also beats very fast, and every time I see the doctor, they comment about it. Another weird symptom I have- whenever I go to the beach, I always get this weird rash on my face and my eyes water like crazy the whole week. People have commented on how badly my eyes were watering, and that's when I realized it wasn't normal. I don't get sunburnt, but I do get that pink rash across my cheeks that at first I thought was sunburn, and it irritates my eyes and vision.


I'm mostly worried about the problems that keep me from doing everyday things. I can't have a job during school, because I'm so tired all the time and in pain. I've gone to multiple doctors for these seemingly detached symptoms, but I came across lupus recently, and I feel like it all comes together...


Does this sound like lupus? Is it similar to your experience? Thank you in advance for your replies

 

[lazylegs]

Hello and welcome Danielle,

When did you last get your thyroid checked? It could be out of balance. In the past when things have gotten out of kilter for me I blamed it on Lupus and it turned out to be my thyroid.

Your experience is not similar to mine but all of our symptoms differ. There is no set pattern for Lupus to follow. When you see the specialist it would help if you have a list of symptoms so that way you don't forget one. It might help to review the symptom list on our main site http://www.thelupussite.com/lupus_symptoms/lupus_symptoms.html

Good luck with your upcoming appointment.

Take care,
Lazylegs

 

[x_claire_x]

Hiya and welcome... I definitely think you need to see a specialist well versed in autoimmune diseases , you are so young to have been having so many different symptoms for so long .

Keep a daily diary of symptoms and pain grade them 0-10...describing how they impact on your daily activities that day. Note the weather and what you are doing...and keep photos of anything visible.

Drs hate it when patients self diagnose...sometimes you need to go in and try and ask them to find the solutions and it can be easier if it is suggested ...do you think it could be autoimmune...rather than telling them it is . Armed with an A4 page with summary of all your issues over the years and the diary.............it would be good if you could get some answers autoimmune or not.............take care, Claire

 

[danielle97]

Thank you so much for your response, Claire! Those are great suggestions, and I'll definitely begin the journal.

 

[danielle97]

Hello and welcome Danielle,

When did you last get your thyroid checked? It could be out of balance. In the past when things have gotten out of kilter for me I blamed it on Lupus and it turned out to be my thyroid.

Your experience is not similar to mine but all of our symptoms differ. There is no set pattern for Lupus to follow. When you see the specialist it would help if you have a list of symptoms so that way you don't forget one. It might help to review the symptom list on our main site http://www.thelupussite.com/lupus_symptoms/lupus_symptoms.html

Good luck with your upcoming appointment.

Take care,
Lazylegs

Thank you so much for the response! I had blood work done last week, and everything including my thyroid was fine except for my iron.

 

[Tired]

Our experiences are similar. I started having "growing pains" around the age of 16 and lived with chronic pain for nearly 8 years with no relief before I finally decided to see a rheumatologist. I've since learned that many things can cause these symptoms. I've not yet been diagnosed with SLE yet, for example, but I do have Hashimoto's thyroiditis, fibromyalgia, inflammatory arthritis and am currently being evaluated for autoimmune spinal disorders. A good rheumatologist will treat your symptoms regardless of the diagnosis. Be sure to take in your history of symptoms with you to your first appointment. Keeping a diary of your symptoms also helps so that you can definitely tell your doctor when you experience certain symptoms, especially since it can be hard to remember everything. This can also help them to see if there's a pattern or cycle to your symptoms.

Best of luck to you. I hope you get some relief and answers soon.