DrugBuyers.Com: Just want personal experiences...

There is so much I want to say on the subject of SLE. I have been PM'd multiple requests for specific info plus I want to address some of the stuff asked/remarked upon here. I will break it down into different posts, titled, you can read the ones you want and skip the ones you don't without having to read the whole thing. Some today, maybe others later. Anyone objects, just PM me.

TESTING:
First they determine if you have 4 or 5 of the "Eleven Criteria" (* will be our symbol for SLE Patients)
1. Malar or Butterfly rash: on cheeks & nose, can vary from looking like poisen ivy, heat rash, blushing heavily, or like a sunburn. Around half of all * will have at some point.
2. Discoid rash: discrete, round, scaly spots on face, arms, upper back, scalp, or ears. Affects 25% of all *.
3. Photosensitivity: Most * are
4. Oral Ulcers: may resemble cold sores, usually found on hard palate of mouth, and usually painless. 40% of *
5. Arthritis: a type that usually does not damage bones but can cause swelling and inflammation. Almost all of *
6. Serositis: Pleuritis, Pericarditis, or peritonitis. At least half of all * experience one of these at some point.
7. Renal disorder: Almost all * have at some point to some degree. That is why controlling blood pressure is vital in all *.
8. Neurologic abnormalities: can take many forms, from acute seizures and pyschosis to chronic forms of confusion and memory loss.
9. Blood disorders: there are four major ones in lupus
10. Immunologic abnormalities:
a) Anti-DNA antibodies
b) LE prep: found in 90%of *, but also found in in patients with other autoimmune disorders.
c) anti-Sm antibodies
d) false positive test for syphilis
11. ANA: 95% of all * test positive, but 20% of people who test positive may have a related disorder.

Other symptoms/Signs/medical history evaluated during diagnosis:
Prolonged or extreme fatigue, muscle pain, achy joints, migraines or other severe headaches, skin rashes, hair loss, low-grade fevers, chest pain, cold hands and feet, depression, edema or swelling, easy bruising, dry eyes or mouth, premenstrual flares, miscarriages, IBS

Because a lot of the symptoms of SLE are come and go it is very hard to diagnose. If you have a rash that comes and goes, take a picture of it in case it is gone before you see a doctor. Write down ALL symptoms you can think of, all the doctors you have seen in your search for a diagnosis, all tests you have had done in the past. If you are using OP's you might have copies of them, take them with you. List of ALL med's you take, some can actually cause a form of Lupus.

Wow, I guess that is enough for now.

Love and kisses and good night.