Lupus

Question: LUPUS...............? I'm a 17year old african american female, I'm a hypochondriac. No one in my family has lupus, ever since I heard snoop doggs daughter had lupus I've been stressing out thinking I have it to, I have never had fatigue, joint pain, rash, or any of the other symptoms, but as soon as I looked up the symptoms my legs had a dull ache in them, its rarely been my joints and it dosent hurt really bad, I never got this dull ache until I started stressing and now I get this dull aches on my arms and stuff, I've been stressing my man out with this because I'm scared 2 get it. What kind of pain do ppl with lupus have? Is it a dull and mild pain or bad? Please answer all my questions most of the time its a dull ache on my left thigh

Answer: Hi.....Well I consider myself a pro when it comes to SLE or LUPUS... I have lupus and have had lupus since 1987.So,I am very aware of it's symptoms...This can be a very tricky disease,and almost everyone who has this disease has his/her own symptoms,they vary with each person who has lupus.I have every symptom you can think of,except any renal involvment,I have had some mild heart involvment,but that's about all for renal involvement.I had NO idea that Snoop's daughter has SLE!! It's the worst form of lupus a person can have and dear? If your ONLY experiencing a mild left thigh pain? Then trust me? You do NOT have lupus!!!! I wish that was my ONLY symptom....I would be a very lucky woman if it were...I just came from my lupus doctor(that's what I call her),and my 'double stranded dna' was very worrying to her,I am concerned for myself right now.I am taking Plaquenil,Imuran,and just had an injection in my thumb joint due to jaccoud's arthropthy,which is rare with SLE patients,but it happens with long disease....anyways...trust me? You are FINE!!! And you are lupus FREE!!! Just to make sure ask your doctor to run and blood test for lupus he/she will know what kind to preform....this will make you feel at ease,ok? I don't think anyone's word's will make you feel any better except you doctor's...i wish you all the best of good health....:)

Question: lupus?.......................!!!!????? Can lupus be the cause of vetrious hemorrhage?...

Answer: Thrombocytopenic anemia (low platelets) is common in lupus. Platelets are needed in order for blood to clot. So, the answer is yes.

Question: Can Lupus be diagnosed on clinical symptoms alone or is the blood work required? I have 9 of the 11 indicators of Lupus. My blood work will not show Lupus.

Answer: According to my reference, you need to have criteria to confirm the diagnosis, but they do not have to serology indicators. There are some lupus that have negative markers but positive for SSA and SSB (aka anti ro and anti la). These are markers for Sjogren's syndrome; however if they are positive with negative ANA, then you have lupus. disclaimer: for discussion only please consult your physician

Question: What are the odds of a child getting Lupus if a parent has it? My mother has Lupus, and I am worried about it. Can anyone tell me the odds or likelihood of a child of a Lupus patient having the disease? I've been to several sites but didn't find an answer to this ?

Answer: There is no known gene or genes which are thought to cause the illness. There are recent discoveries of a gene on chromosome 1 which is associated with lupus in certain families. Previously, genes on chromosome 6 called "immune response genes" were also associated with the disease. Only 10 percent of lupus patients will have a close relative (parent or sibling) who already has or may develop lupus. Statistics show that only about five percent of the children born to individuals with lupus will develop the illness. This site will give you good info- http://www.lupus.org/webmodules/webarticlesnet/templates/new_aboutintroduction.aspx?articleid=311&zoneid=9 You may ask questions there too. Good luck!

Question: What is the difference between Lupus affecting the nervous system and MS? What symptoms are different for each? How are they different and how are they the same? How common is it to have Lupus (SLE) and a neurological disorder such as MS?

Answer: Both lupus and multiple sclerosis are autoimmune disease in which the immune system goes haywire and attacks healthy parts of the self. In multiple sclerosis, the immune system destroys the myelin sheath or fatty covering of the nerves. This can result in loss of transmission of signals. In lupus, neurological symptoms can include things like seizures and neuropathy, or nerve pain. The mechanism by which lupus causes these things is not the same as in MS.

Question: What are the chances of a person undergoing chemotherapy for lupus getting a girl pregnant? I'm aware that the lupus chemodrug Cyclophosphamide is known for killing your sperm count and ruining sperm motility, at least temporarily. How good are your chances of concieving a child? If they're pretty low... anyone have an idea how long it takes to recover your counts? I spoke with my doctor about this, but he says that since Lupus is a disease that affects far more women than men, it's hard for him to say with any assurance.

Answer: there are other therapies which will help more with this problem and the only reason you are being recommended that route is because of profit look into what edgar cayce said on lupus spiritual healing and reiki can help too not to mention bob beck protocol raymond rife machine may help too google search them all

Question: Can lupus be sexually transmitted, also if I have sex with a girl with lupus, what can happen to her? Can lupus be sexually transmitted, also if I have sex with a girl with lupus, what can happen to her? In terms of complications, or would that depend on what type she has?

Answer: Lupus is not a contagious disease. It is a disease that can affect any major organ (i.e. lungs, heart) If your girlfriend has lupus should would be advised by her doctor on what to do. My brother has had lupus for years. In remission now.

Question: I have Lupus and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on helping dry skin? I have been living with Lupus for about a year now and have episodes where my face gets very dry, flaky and sometimes itchy (butterfly rash). The skin around my eyes and my eyelids get very dry. The skin turns a deep shade red/purple and sometimes is painful to the touch. I also get dry patches on my forehead and chin. Does anyone have non prescription remedies to make my episodes subside easier?

Answer: This is something that you really must talk with your doctor about. Its important that he or she know this. It may be a side effect of medication you are now taking. And furthermore, before you self medicate, you need to find out it it will interact in a negative way with your current medications.

Question: Is it possible to have lupus even though non of your family has lupus? I have tested positive for lupus, and I have many lupus symptoms. My doctors believe I may have lupus, but I have not been officially diagnosed with lupus. All of my family members are very healthy. No one in my family has any illnesses. No one in my family has ever had any type of autoimmune disease. I am the first and only person. Is this possible and how could this be?

Answer: More often than not people who are diagnosed with Lupus do not have anyone in their family with Lupus. My wife is one example of this. Her family is very healthy yet she has severe organ involved SLE. Researchers believe that both genetics and environmental factors cause Lupus. The important part now isn't to worry about where you got it from but rather to focus on how to keep yourself healthy. Make sure you get to know your doctors and have an open line of communication with them. Lupus is a very treatable disease but if it gets out of control it can be very difficult to recover from. If you have any questions you can post them here, but I would definately go to the Lupus Foundation of America at Lupus.org and learn more about your disease.

Question: What is a good diet regimen for a lupus patient to follow? What foods should be avoided? I would like to know what foods to stay away from and what foods may help people diagnosed with autoimmune diseases. What is a good diet regimen for this diagnosis? Are there any foods that are harmful or that should be totally avoided by lupus patients?

Answer: Lupus patients should avoid alfalfa sprouts. They stimulate the immune system, just the opposite of what we need. Outside of that, here are some basic guidelines that work for me. 1. Eat lots, and I mean lots, of fresh fruits and vegetables 2. Limit or eliminate animal fat. We have a high rate of premature atherosclerosis. A healthy heart diet is essential. 3. Limit processed foods 4. Eat plenty of fiber (#1 will accomplish that) 5. Get regular mild to moderat exercise-it improves immune function, lubricates joints and elevates mood. Ask your rheumy what would be good for you. 6. Do not take echinacea or goldenseal. They also stimulate immune system. 7. Some lupus patients find wheat gluten to be inflammatory, but many of us have no problem with it. 8. If you can't pronounce the ingredients, don't put it in your mouth. 9. Fish oil is anti-inflammatory. You can eat cold water fish like salmon to get that. A small amount of nuts is good, too. 10. Make sure you get plenty of calcium. Our meds make us prone to osteoporosis. Exercise helps with that, too.

Question: Does anyone have discoid lupus and is pregnant?What are your symptoms? How do you deal with them? I am about 9 weeks pregnant and I cannot take my medication to help prevent the rash. Every day about 2 hours after I wake up I get a flare up on my hands, arms, legs, ankels, neck and chest and they seeming to get worse. Is this normal? I can't get into my dermatologist for 2 weeks and none of my other doctors will touch the lupus issue. HELP!

Answer: Call the dermatologist back and be very firm about getting in earlier. If they gatekeepers still refuse, ask to have the doctor call you that day. If that does not work, call your rheumatologist. Personally, I would look for another dermatologist ASAP. Lupus patients need to be able to see their doctors within a reasonable time when there is a problem Two weeks is not reasonable. It is most likely the receptionist who is the obstacle. Asking the doctor to call you should by pass him or her. Don't bother telling her your whole story. You can also fax the doctor explaining your symptoms clearly and asking him or her to call you ASAP. You can also call after hours and get the doctor's service and leave a message with them if you think your other approaches are not getting through to the doctor. You might also call your ob/gyn and ask if over the counter cortison cream is permissible during pregnancy. Throughout your pregnancy the doctors who treat your lupus and your obstretician should be working hand in hand. You will be the one who has to make that happen.

Question: Can having lupus affecting your blood affect results back from hep C? My platlet count is low because of lupus. When I acquired hep C because of a blood transfusion, my results came back as chronic hep C. One thing the blood tests showed was low platlet count. Could the lupus affect the results?

Answer: The results may change, but Dr. House says it's not lupus

Question: Is it hard to diagnose Lupus in a teen with no positive labs? There's a strong family history and symptoms (including butterfly rash) that have lasted almost 4 months. Rheumy says he ruled out Lupus.

Answer: The problem with lupus is that it can 'hide' in blood tests and 10% of the blood tests can come back negative even though the person does have lupus. You need to see a rheumatologist that specifically specialises in lupus and they should look at all the symptoms you have as well as blood test results. We often test a patient again when they have more severe symptoms as the lupus may show up in blood tests at that time. For example when my lupus is fairly quiet my blood tests can come back as negative but when it is active the blood tests show lupus. It may be that you don't have lupus but with your family history and the butterfly rash, which is much more rare than people think, I would be getting a second opinion. We have a lupus nurse online that you may wish to ask questions of, she has over 20 years experience and her own daughter has lupus: http://www.lupus.org.uk/onlinenurse.htm Any day now (probably this week) we will have a brand new lupus information documentary on our website (www.lupus.org.uk) that is free to view, perhaps you could watch that and see if you have the symptoms being described, if you do please pursue another opinion. Hope that helps.

Question: What are my chances of inheriting lupus form my mom? My mom only has the skin lupus, and not the kind that infects internal structures. I am also male (which I understand lessens your risk?). My father has no autoimmune diseases. I do have a few autoimmune disease however, which include hypothyroidism, and a small area of psoriasis on my leg. Are there other autoimmune disease I should be concerned about down the road? I'm turning 24 in a few months, and again I am also male.

Answer: Although anyone can get lupus, most estimates show that 9 out of 10 people who contract lupus are women. With it also being 3 times more likely to be found in African American women than white women

Question: What does it mean to have a possible positive lupus test? I have been having serious joint pain for some time now. My doctor tested me for arthritis, RA, and lupus. He said the test came back as a possible positive for lupus and he is sending me to a Rheumatologist for further testing. Does this mean they just don't know or does it mean they are sending me for a confirmation? Has anybody had this happen to them?

Answer: Dear Sweat Pea, the diagnosis of rheumatic diseases and specially systemic lupus erythematosus is based on clinical findings and past medical history. Laboratory values are use mainly for confirmation and sometimes to estimate disease activity. Please be patient until you visit your rheumatologist. As a specialist he will guide you through the differential diagnostic of arthritis (over 200 types!). I'm pretty sure you will feel frustrated after the first visit but afterwards you will begin to built a relationship with your rheumatologist based on his ability to understand your complaints and relieve your pain. Feel free to contact me and ask again!

Question: Does anyone have a recipe for snacks or desserts for someone with lupus? Someone dear to me has lupus and is on a new diet plan. I wanted to bake her something but it cannot include oil, butter, flour, or sugar ( Splenda is fine). Can someone please help?!? An Oatmeal cookie recipe is ideal.

Answer: I used to make these cookies for my diabetic elderly aunt. She really loved them and they're very healthy: 3 ripe bananas- mashed 1 cup chopped dried fruit (raisins, apricots, prunes- anything you like) 2 cups rolled oats 1/3 cup applesauce 1 tsp vanilla 1 tsp cinnamon (if desired) Combine all and let sit for 20 minutes. Drop teaspoonfuls on greased baking sheet, flatten, and bake 15-20 minutes at 350 or until set. You don't need splenda since the bananas and fruit provide sweetness. These will keep at room temp for 1-2 days, but are best in the fridge (and they can be frozen).

Question: What are they signs of Lupus and what kind of test do they do to find out if you have it? I went to the ER because I was having chest pain they did a bunch of test and said my heart was fine but I had some kind of inflammatory thing going on and then the doctor asked me if I had Lupus in my family and I have no idea what it is or anything and no we don't. Could I have it? I'm making a follow up appointment with my doctor. Should I ask him to test me for Lupus? What do you think?

Answer: There is no test for lupus. A diagnosis of lupus is made based on a variety of lab tests, medical history, symptoms and after other diseases have been ruled out. It often takes years to get a diagnosis. Inflammation of the lungs, pleurisy, is one of the symptoms of lupus. The ER doc was wise to mention it. I had repeated bouts of pleurisy and joint pain throughout my life. The docs dismissed it. In 2003, I ended up in hospital for 14 days where I was diagnosed. I was 51 at the time and had been having these problems since the age of 13!!!

Question: What does lupus do to the different organs of the body, and what would the symptoms include.? One of the characters in a story I am writing is dieing of lupus in the early 1940's. Her character is suppose to have had flares of the disease for years and years, but the disease is becoming more and more serious until a point where she is so weak she can barely walk. Is that far-fetched?

Answer: I attended a funeral for a member of my lupus support group. She was 36 and died of a stroke. She had antiphospholipid antibody syndrome that often occurs with lupus. Half of us will have kidney disease. There is a woman with lupus in my apartment complex whose kidneys have totally failed. The doctors have stated that she would most likely not survive a transplant. She is on dialysis 3 times a week. The lupus nephritis will ultimately kill her. I know a man whose wife died from lupus when it attacked her liver. A young woman I know died of lupus kidney disease while waiting for her third transplant. I nearly died from lupus in 2003. I had bone marrow failure, pancytopenic anemia, pericarditis (very common in lupus), pleurisy and pleural effusions (also very common), and beginning renal failure. As recently as 20 years ago, a diagnosis of lupus was considered a death sentence. The meds we take to try and control the lupus have some nasty side effects. I know two lupus patients who have had avascular necrosis of the hips from high doses of steroids. Both women have had both hips replaced. One was only 22 at the time. Many of the immunosuppressive drugs we take for the more serious cases predispose us to cancer because they suppress tumor necrosis factor. 90-95% of lupus patients have joint pain and inflammation. At my worst, I could not even stand to shower. PS My lupus is well controlled now through a combination of medications, regular medical monitoring, and a very proactive approach to managing the disease. PPS I think your character is dying not dieing. And her character is "supposed" not "suppose" to have had flares. You might want to consider having someone proof read your story before you submit it anywhere.

Question: What are the symptoms and avalible treatments for Lupus? Any information, links to information, experience or suggests are welcome. They are for a close friend of mine who was recently diagnose with Lupus and is understandably a little frightened.

Answer: I was diagnosed in 04 and it is quite understandable that she is frightened. Although there is no cure , doctors can prescribe many different types of meds to "control" the severity of pain and over function of our immune systems. Trying to maintain less stress will help with flare ups. She can have children , she can lead a pretty normal life we just have a chameleon disease. Sometimes its really hard , pain-full , and depressing but I try to look to a better tomorrow. As long as her family and friends support here and make her understand this better . The more comfortable she will become in her skin. I hope she seeks treatment and embraces life! I have included a wonderful web site. www.lupus.org

Question: My mother has LUPUS what is the best Corticosteroid with the least side effects? My mother has lupus and was told she has lost one kidney and may lose another, the doctor suggested Corticosteroids. She is afraid the side effects are too severe. She's thinking of just forgetting about taking corticosteroids and starting dialysis, is this a good decision? And if not what are the best corticosteroids with the least side effects.

Answer: No, that is a very bad decision. The reason people with lupus die is because they don't follow their doctors advice. I have had moderate lupus for 6 years and been on pretty high doses of prednisone for the whole time. There are some side effects: thinning bones and weight gain and memory impairment. The bone loss can be prevented with Fosamax, and the weight gain can be controlled through diet and exercise. Dialysis three times a week is horrible. I've seen people on dialysis, and personally, i would rather die than go on dialysis. Dialysis will only buy her time until a kidney transplant, but if she is not following her doctors advise and not treating her lupus properly, there is no point in having a transplant.