posted
My mom has lupus symptoms (symmetrical rashes on arms and legs, low WBC, pos. ANA) but nothing else. Has anyone experienced the same and discovered that it was Lyme?
Posts: 17 | From Rhode Island | Registered: Jan 2009
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TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 14183
posted
I have read numerous lyme articles that state that some people are misdiagnosed with lupus but really have lyme disease. The symptoms cannot be distinguished.
It may not be that simple in all cases, but it can be that many cases of lupus will respond to antibiotics for a variety of reasons, including lyme and other infections as part of the problem.
Take a look at this article. It mentions lupus throughout.
At any rate, if I were to be given the diagnosis of lupus which has no cure, I would want a lyme disease test and would want to try antibiotic protocols to see if I could get rid of my lupus.
Look also at The Road Back Foundation website which talks about successful treatment of lupus with antibiotics:
I would love to hear good news about your mom trying this and recovering. Let us know, ok?
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
tf, thanks for the links; please be sure to copy your reply and post as a REPLY TO TREEPATROL'S NEWBIE LINKS AT TOP OF MEDICAL; thanks so much.
3 times i was diagnosed with lupus; NEVER treated, and after 34.5 yrs. diagnosed correctly with chronic lyme!
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Shosty
Unregistered
posted
A positive ANA doesn't mean lupus. It can be from other things, including an infection (viral or bacterial), and some people who are perfectly healthy have a positive ANA. How high is the ANA?
Is the rash triggered by sun, or does she get sick in the sun?
Does she have mouth sores, hair falling out, psych. or neuro symptoms, rash on her nose and cheeks, other positive blood tests? In other words, does she have other symptoms at all?
Was the rash biopsied? Often, they won't test for Lyme, even if you ask, but a lot of info can be obtained that way about whether there is autoimmunity going on.
Did an MD diagnose lupus, or is this your own idea? How about Lyme? Any testing?
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disturbedme
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12346
posted
Many time Lupus turns out to really be Lyme disease. And those who believe to have both, ended up with Lupus because the Lyme triggered it. Though I don't know how they would tell the two apart.
Many LLMDs believe that Lupus really is Lyme... and that most autoimmune disorders are caused/triggered by Lyme disease.
-------------------- One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar. ~ Helen Keller
My Lyme Story Posts: 2965 | From Land of Confusion (bitten in KS, moved to PA, now living in MD) | Registered: Jun 2007
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Pinelady
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 18524
posted
Yes. I was tested for Lupus. Neg. A year of sick
later I was positive Igenex for Lyme. History of
rash behind both ears and ankles mirror image. ANA
pos., blood work indicated no inflammation. And
burning red toes examined. Yes it can be LYME.
-------------------- Suspected Lyme 07 Test neg One band migrating in IgG region unable to identify.Igenex Jan.09IFA titer 1:40 IND IgM neg pos 31 +++ 34 IND 39 IND 41 IND 83-93 + DX:Neuroborreliosis Posts: 5850 | From Kentucky | Registered: Dec 2008
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posted
I so appreciate all this info. I will pass onto my mom who is hopeful for Lyme and not lupus. I read somewhere that the only difference in lupus and lyme testing is looking at kidney function - for what, I don't know. Somehow lupus patients have kidney problems.
The only indication my mom had for lupus was a low WBC (which she has had for 20 yrs) and a positive ANA once five years ago. But she has none of the classic fatigue and the rash only showed up recently. Maybe its a coincidence b/c it's summer and she's in a golf league and in the sun but it's a rash that she's never had before and it was symmetrical. No mouth sores or psych problems, any of that. Up until the rash, she didn't feel sick at all - she still doesn't.
Problem is getting her to the right doctor and getting the right testing. How difficult is it to send testing to Igenex? I know I'm going to have to walk her through this.
Posts: 17 | From Rhode Island | Registered: Jan 2009
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Shosty
Unregistered
posted
Kidney problems are only suffered by a percentage of people with severe, systemic lupus. A person can have lupus with completely normal kidney function.
There are many lab tests that can be used to clarify a lupus diagnosis, but rheumatologists also go by symptoms. A positive anti-DNA (double stranded) is considered a definitive sign of lupus, for one thing.
Testing for Lyme sounds like a good idea.
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