Cindy - I think your doc is doing the right thing and while I'm just an
informed patient, it sounds very suspicious to me.  And I wouldn't say it is
necessarily a matter of "misdiagnois" either. FMS is very common in lupus
patients and might have simply been a prelude to an autoimmune condition.
Ideally it would be nice if they could predict which case of FMS was going
to be associated with what underlying problem (because IMO, FMS can often be
associated with underlying conditions that were missed or too mild to be
seen.)  It *might* be that if they could test plaquenil or similar treatment
on FMS patients that they could actually prevent the worsening of symptoms
in patients with mild disease.  But then again... maybe not. :P

only about 30% of lupus patients have the classic butterfly rash.  The rest
of us often have other kinds of rashes, many of which are aggravated by UV.

Make sure all the bases are covered - ANA titre, dsDNA, UA, Complete blood
count, etc.  If you haven't checked out our FAQ, please do so.  It will help
you to know what to expect and what to ask when it comes to time to see the
specialist.

Best wishes and welcome to this loopy little lupie group.
kcat - lupie groupie.

http://www.herbalremedies.com/altitude.html

The above site speaks to the effects of altitude ..

Lung problems are very common due to the increase of number of red blood cells
/ erythrocytosis .. coincidentally? .. the same problem in Polycythemia which
has been shown to be related to Lupus ..

Erythrocytosis ..

Who loves ya.
Tom

I think it sounds familiar, but so do some other diseases so hopefully the
rheumatologist will be of assist to you.
Now don't go getting frustrated about it. If you read the FAQ that I just
posted, it sometimes takes a while for a person to meet the criteria of the
American College of Rheumatology  (we call that the ACR)

As KC wrote in the FAQ
"How is Lupus Diagnosed?
Very slowly and with great difficulty in many cases yet surprisingly quickly in
others. Lupus can present in a bewildering number of ways, even to the extent of
mimicking other diseases such as RA and MS.

[NOTE: an excellent symptom journal is available through the LFA.]  Local Lupus
Foundation"

Do your best to get it, and track back, including copies of your bloodwork.
Sometimes they watch for patterns.
I highly recommend that you do this.  For yourself and for the doctor.
Another tip might be to document by photo any rashes, hair loss, joint swellings
or inflammation, mouth sores, (anything visible).  For instance, sometimes the
pattern of hair loss says a lot.

And if you run up against a brick wall on "diagnosis", ask the rheumy which
medications might help you best with symptoms (in the meantime) and if he says
NSAID's be careful about your stomach or if you've tried them and cannot
tolerate them, take your meds bottles with you and prove it and ask if there's
something better or combinations of meds.... and ask if you can continue being
monitored by him/her (maybe semi-annually)

Be careful what you ask for <smile> I tend to run sometimes....

Just a "heads up", please read the filters message that I just posted and
"plonk" the person listed in it.

Sometimes posting here about medications you take and any problems, people can
compare what they do or don't take, so that can be possibly of assist too.
J

Hi Cindy,
I would say that your symtoms sound suspicious. I don't think fibro causes
joint swelling or some of the other things you mentioned. I would follow
through with seeing a rheumy for further tests. Sometimes it takes a while
to get a lupus diagnosis. Hang in there, and do keep a written record of
your problems. Welcome to the group. Feel free to ask us anything.
BJ-Sk. Canada

Hi Cindy, just thought you might like to know my maiden name is PECKHAM!!!!
Janet