Lupus??? diagnosis??

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M - 29 Mar 2004 02:34 GMT

Hi,
I recently had some blood work that showed a very high C-reactive Protein
and sed rate.
ANA was negative.

I have had a rash on my cheeks for about a month.

My family doc is sending me to a Rheumatologist

I have several questions:

Can you have lupus without a positive ANA?
Is this the correct type of doctor?
I have tried metrogel (Rosacea) and Tetracycline for my face. Nothing
helped.
Any suggestions?

Any other suggestions??
thanks

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J - 29 Mar 2004 04:24 GMT

> Hi,
> I recently had some blood work that showed a very high C-reactive Protein
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>
> Can you have lupus without a positive ANA?

Yes, but I think it's less common.
There's also drug-induced Lupus (see website below)

> Is this the correct type of doctor?
> I have tried metrogel (Rosacea) and Tetracycline for my face. Nothing
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> Any other suggestions??
> thanks

Hi Maureen, Welcome to alt.support.lupus
Have a look around here http://www.northeastlupus.org.uk/katfaq
Make a list of your signs and symptoms.
I'll post some websites about what can cause elevated CRP and possibly some
about ESR.
Cross off the ones that you know for sure don't apply.
We'll talk later.
J

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Andy - 29 Mar 2004 10:30 GMT

>Hi,
>I recently had some blood work that showed a very high C-reactive Protein
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>
>Can you have lupus without a positive ANA?

Yes - I think about 5% of lupies have negative ANA

>Is this the correct type of doctor?

Yes - Rheumatologists in general are more likely to know about lupus
than other types of doctor.

>I have tried metrogel (Rosacea) and Tetracycline for my face. Nothing
>helped.
>Any suggestions?

Pass

Signature

Andy Taylor [Chair, N E Lupus Group]
See http://www.northeastlupus.org.uk for more!

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J - 29 Mar 2004 14:26 GMT

> I have had a rash on my cheeks for about a month.
>
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> helped.
> Any suggestions?

Well, you may want the rash to be there when you see the rheumatolgist or
take photos of it. (before it disappears).
List what you tried to make it go away and didn't work.

Now about metrogel -
http://www.pdrhealth.com/drug_info/rxdrugprofiles/drugs/met1601.shtml
topical metronidazole
Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity,
inform your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it
is safe for you to continue using topical metronidazole.
Side effects may include:
Burning or stinging, dryness, itching, metallic taste, nausea, redness, skin
irritation, tingling or numbness of hands and feet, worsening of rosacea"

Another form of metronidazole (cream) that I use for something else, is way
too strong for me and/or I have a sensitivity to it. Both of yours seem to be
in families of antibiotics/antinflammatory.

If you look in KC's post here - she mentions what to avoid and how to protect
yourself from UV rays.
<http://groups.google.com/groups?selm=cvolvv8iei519orjnkmceajnht58h0utqb%404ax.co
m&oe=UTF-8&output=gplain>

I'm wondering if a different cream with cortisone in it might help?
Just a thought, because I'm not a doctor.
J

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Kristin - 29 Mar 2004 22:48 GMT

"M" <mkervs@prodigy.net> wrote in news:R2L9c.45443$a%1.24825
@newssvr16.news.prodigy.com:

> Hi,

Hi!!
And welcome :)

> I recently had some blood work that showed a very high C-reactive Protein
> and sed rate.
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>
> Can you have lupus without a positive ANA?

I think so, but it's rare (I agree with the other replies)

> Is this the correct type of doctor?

Yup!!

> I have tried metrogel (Rosacea) and Tetracycline for my face. Nothing
> helped.
> Any suggestions?

If you figure this one out, tell all of us! :)

> Any other suggestions??

Hang in there, and take things day by day. Don't worry too much about
this stuff...

> thanks

You're welcome :)
-Kristin

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Candi Bowen - 04 Apr 2004 22:52 GMT

Not as rare as one would think. I was dx'd with lupus, or a lupus-like
syndrome 15 yrs ago by the head of rheumotology at Clevenand University
Hospitay because of bloodwork & symptoms. How's your anti-cardiolipin
antibody test? Although this fluctuates greately, & not necessarily
according to disease activity. My ANA is negative, sed rate is normal, I
also have a very high C-reactive protein, am positive for anti-cardiolipin
auto-antibody, & positive for RANA. That, given my symptoms of lupus, lead
to a diagnosis. I had pancreatitis at 17 (didn't drink), arthritis from the
age of 11, nasal & mout & scalp ulcers, many bouts of pleuracy, malar rash,
extreme photosensitivity (NOT a sunburn but a rash that feels like an acid
burn), kidney abnormalities, Raynaud's, livido reticularis, etc. etc. I was
lucky, my GP suspected it long before I even knew what lupus was. I heard
about a new text available to detect us unlucky people.

Candi
----------

>"M" <mkervs@prodigy.net> wrote in news:R2L9c.45443$a%1.24825
>@newssvr16.news.prodigy.com:
[quoted text clipped - 38 lines]
>You're welcome :)
>-Kristin

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