[bc09]

I recently went to the doctor b/c of joint pain. I have a 4-1/2 month old baby girl and developed toxemia during the pregnancy which resulted in horrible swelling. I started having trouble walking up and down stairs - with my right knee being worse than the left. Sometimes it felt like it might not support me. This has continued after the pregnancy. I'm extremely fatigued even though I don't think I'm that sleep deprived (daughter only breastfeeds once during the night). Anyway, my general practioner told me it was probably due to hormones after the pregnancy but felt it warranted blood work just to check. She ran CMP (CL came back low at 99), T4F - normal range, TSH - normal range, sed rate high at 28, ANA high at 1:320 homogenous and speckled, and RA screen normal. I've been concerned b/c it lists lupus as a suggested disease for the ANA homogenous and speckled patterns. I'm scheduled to see a rheumatologist next Thursday but am really anxious about these results. Do they sound similar to anyone else out there?

Thanks!
Becci

 

[doris999]

Hi bc09,
Welcome,
The joint pain, fatigue are familiar,
Your DR is wise to send you to a rheumie, especially if they know about lupus.
It may or may not be lupus, but they have to rule out so many other factors first.
Soory to hear you are not feeling good, it must be very hard with a very young baby, all i can suggest is rest as much as poss.
Good luck,
Hugs Sandra.

 

[Maia]

I would recommend seeing a rheumatologist as the next step since you have had some significant test results that can suggest something autoimmune is happening. It may or may not be lupus, but you definitely need further testing by a specialist as you've not had the full lupus panel run yet among other testing.

Best wishes to you - and congrats on the baby

 

[bc09]

Thank you for your responses. I'm going to the rheumatologist on Thursday and am hoping for the best. Thanks again!!

 

[debatat]

Just wanted to wish you all the best for your rheumy appt on thurs.

Deb

 

[LolaLola]

Hello Becci,

Any hormonal kick up such as childbirth can trigger Lupus. Given that you had problems in pregnancy you would benefit from being tested for APS (Sticky blood) too. This will probably be done, but do enquire.

If you do have Lupus there are many treatments available, althugh it can take a while to benefit.
Some of us here are badly affected,please do not think that is totally representative. When I go to Clinic I see many Lupus patients who look and feel great.
x Lola

 

[sheila t]

Hi Becci. Just wanted to welcome you to the site and wish you all the best with your appointment. Do let us know how it went.

Sheila x