Need some advise please!

I was told I have fibro and no autoimmune disease despite a high ANA and comps and autoantibodies to various things and vitiligo--which is always a sign of autoimmune disease--it is an autoimune disease. I think some docs are lazy, easier to write fibro and give psych drugs. With lupus, they have more responsibility.

Fibro doesnt cause physical symptoms, like skin pigment changes, malar rashs (the red rash on the face--the lupus rash), joint damage or physical damage. Your rheumatologist should be able to tell the difference, and you will figure it out. For me, fibro is just always there, makingmy pain worse, but a hot swollen shoulder, numbness in my arms, unusual new shooting pains in my legs, urniary tract or gi problems, liver and kidney problems, heart problems, and skin changes and sensitivity to light migt be indicators--not things fibro usually do to me. While fibro may increase the pain ni my legs, the pain has a cause, in my nerve roots. I also find my fibro is a dull aching thing, often all over.

Fibro is a last case diagnosis, so if you are having poblems, the doc should check them out thoroughly before writing them offto fibro. If your doc is blaming everythin on fibro, you may want to consult another rheumatologist and get some testing done to get a second opinion. My back was really bad and they tried to tell me it was fibro, but I knew something serious was physically wrong, and eventually thy found it.


The butterfly rash on the face and other rashes are a dead giveaway, fibro doesn't cause the rash in my experience, I'm sure others can chime in on this. Fibro doesn't cause pigment loss, hair loss, or hyperpigment either, according to what I was told. It is an enhancement of pain.

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Love, Marji

your symptoms sound classic lupus to me also.Demand the testing you know should be done, even at the va you can fire your doctor,and register a complaint. We employ them,always remember that,we are not at their mercy,or laziness.you have done a wonderful thing for our country,we owe you,the doctors at the V.A. owe you for their jobs.I understand it is a difficult process at the V.A. but can be done,and it will give you something empowering to do while trudging thru it.Do they have advocates there that could help you find a new doc that will take you seriously? MY opinion-this is not fibro! Good luck, God Bless, Namaste Raven1954

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sle since 1986, cerebritis,pre diabetic, peripheral neuropathy,mvp cataracts,degenerative disc dx. liver failure due to tylenol for to long,Meds: prednisone,inderal. synthroid,tegretol,nasonex,phenergan,dalmane,valium for fibromyl. dilaudid q8 for pain,cytoxin iv every 6 months,asa daily,albuteral inhaler,frequent antibiotics. Learning to live a differant life now, cpap for sleep apnea.Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely,in a pretty and well preserved body,but rather to skid in broadside,thoroughly used up,totally worn out and loudly proclaiming-WOW,what a ride!!!

Rebecca, I answered you on the fibro forum.
Robin

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^{MCTD, Fibromyalgia, Raynauds, Osteoarthritis, Osteoporosis, Degenerative} 

Check the resources page at the top of the lupus form and look for a site that talks about getting ready for a doctor's appointment. I would approach the appointment as I would any other: type up a list of your medical history, medications, symptoms, and concerns. And tell the doctor about your mom. A good rheumy will discuss all of this with you. I wouldn't go into an appointment with a new doctor and demand anything, which could alienate the doctor from the get go. I'd calmly discuss my concerns and go from there.

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<sub>SLE, fibro, renauds, restless leg, hiatal hernia, double vision, migraines, costocondritis.

prednisone, plaquenil, leflunomide, neurontin, synthroid, triamterene, actonel, niaspan, tri-est, cymbalta, tricor, acifex</sub>