Hi. My name is Michelle and I'm 38 years old. I was recently placed in the hospital for five days and diagnosed as having mono, active epstein-barr, a strep infection and an 'auto-immune disorder/response.' All of that diagnosis was done by an infectious disease doc in the hospital. The doc I saw prior to hospitalization had no clue what I had and was the one who said I needed to go to the hospital. Upon release, I was finally able to see my regular doc who now says he doesn't think I had mono at all and upon knowing my history and seeing the current problems, believes I have lupus. I am scheduled for a battery of blood tests this coming week and a ct scan (also trying to rule out lymphoma.)
If I may, here is the history. I know no one can diagnose, but I'm curious as to your thoughts. I'm thinking there is a strong chance it's lupus, but I'm hoping not.
Several months ago, I got a round target like rash on my upper thigh. Soon, there were a few smaller ones just like it joining it. The rash lasted quite some time, but eventually left (a cream the doc gave me). Now, there are some discolored patches on my skin where the rash was.
For about 4 months, I've been nauseous in the mornings and struggling with some headaches. No big deal...I ignored it.
First weekend in November, I had a target like rash on my upper arm. A week later, a few smaller ones just like it joined it. A week from that, I woke up one morning to find those rashes all over my back and chest...and red dots and rashes all over my trunk. The target rashes were scaly around the edges. Again, I ignored it and figured it would go away.
Went out of state and begin having vertigo with nausea. Was treated at a walk in ( I knew what I needed, Meclizine and Pfenergen (sp?) b/c I was diagnosed with vertigo a few years ago and have intermittent episodes) clinic and given the meds to help.
Came home and became very ill. Fever, chills, horrible joint pains (have had joint problems for years) a terrible terrible headache that would not respond to very strong prescription pain meds, sweats,fatigue, sensitivity to light (had to have the lights out) nausea, throwing up and feeling horrible. One doc said it looked like Malaria lol. Anyway, ended up in the hospital and was very sick. I was admitted with a fever of 103.5. I had horrible sweats that soaked the sheets so frequently, they had to keep changing them.
I was released with a medrol pack and the diagnosis I mentioned in the beginning.
I still do not feel well. The major stuff is gone (no high fever), but I still feel horrible. I have joint pain, headache (although not as bad as before) my belly hurts on my right side, I have great difficulty concentrating and focusing on anything, still nauseous (although not as bad) and dizzy some and now I have mouth ulcers.
BTW, for months, I was having night sweats and ignored them as well. I also have diabetes (type 2).
I feel like a baby. I feel like a hypochondriac b/c I have all these little symptoms that add up to me feeling horrible. I feel like I'm letting down everyone in my life. I'm getting depressed and am crying a lot it seems.
I'm normally a 'pull myself up by the bootstraps' kind of person. Suck it up and move on...but this has knocked me on my butt.
I'd really appreciate any thoughts. OH..and in the hospital, they said my sed rate was 'sky high.'
Thanks for getting thru this post, I know it's long.
Thank you in advance for any thoughts. I'm really feeling lonely, scared and confused.
Michelle
If I may, here is the history. I know no one can diagnose, but I'm curious as to your thoughts. I'm thinking there is a strong chance it's lupus, but I'm hoping not.
Several months ago, I got a round target like rash on my upper thigh. Soon, there were a few smaller ones just like it joining it. The rash lasted quite some time, but eventually left (a cream the doc gave me). Now, there are some discolored patches on my skin where the rash was.
For about 4 months, I've been nauseous in the mornings and struggling with some headaches. No big deal...I ignored it.
First weekend in November, I had a target like rash on my upper arm. A week later, a few smaller ones just like it joined it. A week from that, I woke up one morning to find those rashes all over my back and chest...and red dots and rashes all over my trunk. The target rashes were scaly around the edges. Again, I ignored it and figured it would go away.
Went out of state and begin having vertigo with nausea. Was treated at a walk in ( I knew what I needed, Meclizine and Pfenergen (sp?) b/c I was diagnosed with vertigo a few years ago and have intermittent episodes) clinic and given the meds to help.
Came home and became very ill. Fever, chills, horrible joint pains (have had joint problems for years) a terrible terrible headache that would not respond to very strong prescription pain meds, sweats,fatigue, sensitivity to light (had to have the lights out) nausea, throwing up and feeling horrible. One doc said it looked like Malaria lol. Anyway, ended up in the hospital and was very sick. I was admitted with a fever of 103.5. I had horrible sweats that soaked the sheets so frequently, they had to keep changing them.
I was released with a medrol pack and the diagnosis I mentioned in the beginning.
I still do not feel well. The major stuff is gone (no high fever), but I still feel horrible. I have joint pain, headache (although not as bad as before) my belly hurts on my right side, I have great difficulty concentrating and focusing on anything, still nauseous (although not as bad) and dizzy some and now I have mouth ulcers.
BTW, for months, I was having night sweats and ignored them as well. I also have diabetes (type 2).
I feel like a baby. I feel like a hypochondriac b/c I have all these little symptoms that add up to me feeling horrible. I feel like I'm letting down everyone in my life. I'm getting depressed and am crying a lot it seems.
I'm normally a 'pull myself up by the bootstraps' kind of person. Suck it up and move on...but this has knocked me on my butt.
I'd really appreciate any thoughts. OH..and in the hospital, they said my sed rate was 'sky high.'
Thanks for getting thru this post, I know it's long.
Thank you in advance for any thoughts. I'm really feeling lonely, scared and confused.
Michelle