Kinda OT: Lupus | Arthritis Information

 

I know this isn't the Lupus forum but this is the forum with the most traffic and I am looking for answer for my SIL.

She is having alot of problems and her Doctors just can't seem to pinpoint anything for sure (Imagine that with autoimmune symtoms!). Now they are saying maybe Lupus. Can anyone tell me why they would want x-rays of her knees, hips and pelvis? She doesn't have good insurance or alot of money to be spending on unnecessary tests so I thought I would ask here because most of the time we know more about our diseases in layman terms than a professional. Isn't Lupus ruled out pretty quickly with a blood test? I could be wrong but I'm pretty sure.

I don't know Lovie, she says her numbers are high for Lupus but one of her Docs say no, it's not and one says it might be. She's kinda freaking out about it and I told her I'd look around and see what I could find.auntlisa2008-03-05 13:39:04That does seem strange. Most folks I have talked to about Lupus it was pretty clear cut. Maybe they are looking for something else with these x-rays? Second opinion!!!!!!!!!I really don't know. She has costocondritis for sure and OA but she going to 3 or 4 docs and they are all saying something different. She was going to my rhuemy but she wanted to be cured today and was not happy with how long it was taking for to get relief. I tried to tell her it doesn't happen overnight.

I'm doing ok Lovie, how about you? Life treating you well? Really sucks about Laurie, huh? Yeah; I was real sorry to hear about our beloved Hula. I was heart broken....but have since realized that she's in the pain-free zone now. She worked really hard to get there. I miss talking to her. Fewer than 10 percent of people with lupus arthritis will develop deformities of the hands and feet. These are associated with weakening of cartilage and bone and can be seen in the x-ray of the joints.

 

Oh and 5% of Lupus patients do not have positive bloodwork for Lupus, but actually have Lupus.

 

Thought I would pass that info to ya.

I might or might not have lupus - I have lupus symptoms, but finally the ole double-stranded DNA test came back negative (the single strand is positive), but the doctors still think I have lupus.  I think there is no definitive test and it sounds weird they are taking xrays to diagnose lupus.  If she is short on money, perhaps she would like to spend her funds on pain meds and DMARDS instead of more testing and no answers.  Sorry, I will get off my soapbox and wish her all the best of luck, she is going to need it. 
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