WHAT THE REAL DEAL?

My ANA test was borderline positive.  My Rheumy doubt if its lupus- she think its fibro.  But why would I have a borderline test result??  So I think its probably lupus - (I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO THINK ANYMORE).  I'm 39 and I'm not overweight or anything..but for since I have been having a flare for the past month.. I have had events of sleep apnea (waking up gasping for air). I'm schedule for a sleep study next month. 

 

I was in the hospital last week for dizziness and muscle pain/weakness... MRI"S and CAT SCANS ETC..(NEG).

 

I'M taking Cymbalta, and a med for acid reflux. Motrin as needed.

 

I also have been having balance problems, pains in my ear canal, mucsles etc, vision feels different too.  I have been visiting doctors off and on for 10 years about all of this.  I'm getting stressed and depressed behind it. 

 

Last night.. I felt like I stop breathing for a min and it feel like my left arm and neck went numb (a powerful numb sensation) it lasted for about 15 seconds and then I went back to sleep (might as well, tired of running to the ER every week).  Anyone experience something like this..???

 

ANY FEED BACK WILL BE APPRECIATED.. I'M BECOMING STRESSED BY THE MINUTE.

thanks Ginny...I'm not in Fear about lupus (maybe a lil bit). I believe as long as it is treatable than there is hope. My concern is how the numbness woke me up with the sleep apena too. It was a powerful wave of numbness that came down my neck and left arm for about 15 seconds. I'm no stranger to numbnesss..but this was totally different. I don't know what to do..go to the ER??

I'M SITTING HERE TOTALLY DAZED about WHAT HAPPENED LAST NIGHT.

There's always that possibility it was a mini stroke.  Did you notice any other symptoms at all?  Confusion, loss of vision, hearing, trouble speaking or moving your mouth, headache?

 

When I had my stroke, I had numbness on BOTH sides of my body. Yeah, weird eh.  I thought I was having a migraine headache, so I didn't receive prompt attention.  When I started speaking "gobble-d-gook" to my coworkers, and unable to hear them or see them, we all knew something was wrong and they called 911.  That was about an hour after the first symptoms appeared.  I was left with a seizure disorder.... But nothing else.  I am very lucky.  I was only 28 years old.

 

Do you recall if you were tested for the Anti-phospholipid Syndrome (APS)?  Or the Anti-Cardiolipin Antibodies?  Those are pretty standard blood tests when looking at lupus.  Both those conditions mean that lupus has caused a protein to form in the blood which thickens the blood, putting the person at a risk for a stroke or heart attack.  Another name for APS is Hughes Syndrome (found in people who don't have lupus). I knew I had APS, but a daily aspirin wasn't enough to thin my blood.  I'm on life long blood thinners now.

 

Perhaps a call to your rheumy regarding these tests would be a good idea.  Just find out if they were done, and if so, get the results from her.  I'd also tell your rheumy about the numbness episode you had.  And if you didn't get those blood tests done, that they should give you a requisition to get them completed.  It never hurts to cover all your bases, right!

 

In the meantime, if that happens to you again, call 911.  Better to be safe than sorry. Give them a call tomorrow, while this is all still fresh in your mind.

Let us know how you make out, okay,

Ginny 

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I can do anything through Jesus Christ who strengthens me. I have learned in whatever state I am in,to be content. Phillipians 4:11-13

34 years old. Diagnosed with Lupus in 2000. Fibromyalgia, Anti-phospholipid syndrome(APS)(stroke, 2002), Sjogren's, Raynaud's, Libman Sach's Endocarditis, vasculitis, sacroiliitis, arthritis (neck), anxiety. Prednisone, Imuran, Coumadin, Clobazam, Amitriptyline, Didrocal, Cozaar, Zoloft, Neurontin, calcium, multi-vitamin, vitamin D, Magnesium, vitamin B6, Acidophilus

You're welcome KE08.  I'll be eager to hear what you have learned.  Have a nice day today and try (although this is much easier said than done) to not think to much into this until you have talked to your doctor. It might be nothing at all.  We can hope for that!

 

(((hugs))) for you too!

Ginny

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I can do anything through Jesus Christ who strengthens me. I have learned in whatever state I am in,to be content. Phillipians 4:11-13

34 years old. Diagnosed with Lupus in 2000. Fibromyalgia, Anti-phospholipid syndrome(APS)(stroke, 2002), Sjogren's, Raynaud's, Libman Sach's Endocarditis, vasculitis, sacroiliitis, arthritis (neck), anxiety. Prednisone, Imuran, Coumadin, Clobazam, Amitriptyline, Didrocal, Cozaar, Zoloft, Neurontin, calcium, multi-vitamin, vitamin D, Magnesium, vitamin B6, Acidophilus