I' ve read the symptoms of Lupus and it sounds very similar to RA. What exactly is the difference? Does anyone with RA have Lupus?
Hi Karen,
I have never been diagnosed with Lupus. When I was in my 20's (now 45, today in fact!) I was suspected of having Lupus. I over a span of several years had several of the symptoms of Lupus. ? spelling: Pleuritis, Pericarditis, Reynauds,sun sensitivity, Adult onset asthma, and bright red butterfly rash across cheeks. My ANA was neg and I was never diagnosed with anything specific. When I got pregnant with my son (31 yo), symptoms vanished leaving only occasional pleuritis, Asthma and that sensitivity to hair dye I mentioned on another thread.
Now all these years later, I have just recently been diagnosed with RA. I know many people with Lupus can have neg ANA, so I often wonder if I have a combo of both. I have actually read about and found info online about what they are now calling RUPUS (RA/Lupus).
I mentioned all of the prior symptoms to my RD, and though he seemed to find it interesting he never said or implied anything about the possibility of me having both.....I still do wonder though.
Anyway, I can't answer your question with a yes about myself, but I do know there are people that do have both. I will be interested to see the replies you get. Good question!
Seems like there have been a few here actually dignosed with both...hopefully someone can shed a little more light on the topic. I'm interested to hear more myself.
I was messed around 4 different hospitals with no doctor telling me what was wrong with me. I lost a year wasting my time going from one hospital to the next. One doctor told me I had Lupus....i didn't realise what that fully was at the time, but luckily the great people at the Birmingham Children Hospital told me that i had Rumatoid {Not spelt right} Arthritis.
So i know there very a like...
By the way i'm new to the community, have been looking for a place to probably talk about it for ages.
Welcome Heahengel; you've come to the right place.
We're glad you FINALLY found us!!
Lupus, RA....these are just labels. I feel it may be more helpful to focus on the symptoms than being concerned about which "label" it is. A label carries with it extra baggage. Why not look at the inflammatory condition individualistically? The problem using labels: Some doctors will say, "You have 'RA', therfore you should take ___________( traditional medication)" A really GOOD doctor will be open to many different forms of treatment, depending on your physical and emotional state. Medicine is a complex and evolving system. There is no right or wrong treatment, there are just different approaches, different disciplines, all of which may be helpful either alone or in combination. You are the expert when it comes to your body, listen to it, and use a competent physicain as a partner for your best health.
I don't know about you guys...but after being sick for so long and not knowing what was wrong with me; I welcomed a label. I desprately needed to put a name on it for my own sanity sake.
The thing that bugs me about the labels is people think ra is "just arthritis" and the stigma attached to missing work because of it. I do agree Rana that it is important to listen to your body and we all respond to treatment differently. Getting a good diagnosis is important to be able to research and get good information to make informed decisions to become "the expert". As depressed as I was to get the dx I am glad to now have a better understanding of what I have to deal with. I am also grateful to have found this forum to share with people who understand. I was a "suspected" lupus case for a while too. And now, because of this odd rash on my face, I think my GP is wondering again. I think it's something else though (probably should just go see the dermatologist). I think the two are pretty closely connected.