Symptoms how do I know....

[Jayne]

Hi, I've only belonged to this site for a few weeks. I'm having blood tests o Wednesday,as my doctor agrees that I could have an autoimmune issue going on. Lots of my symptoms seem to point to SjS, the question I am asking is that I've read lots of posts about all sorts of problems many of which I share, but are they attributable to SjS, Lupus etc etc ,or are they things that are 'normal'? It may seem a strange question to ask, but I am trying to separate what could help me with a diagnosis from what is unneccessary info.
Thanks for all your help
Jayne


 

[Scottietottie]

Hi Jayne 

Since 2004 I've been dealing with Lupus/SjS overlap, Hashimoto's thyroiditis and the menopause and I haven't worked out yet what is causing which symptoms!
All of them can cause fatigue, all of them can cause aches and pains and I've just found it impossible to sort it all out.

Well I know anything caused by menopause will pass/or has passed and as fo the other three - well thyroxine seems to work for the thyroid problem and the other two are treated the same way as far as I can gather so I've come to the conclusion that it doesn't matter what is causing it, it only matters what relieves any of it. (Then of course there's osteoarthritis thrown into the mix!)

Take care - Scottie 

[pudmott]

Jayne,
I think at this point in your journey, there's no such thing as unneccessary info. collect any and all you can get from your body because it might just be the tiniest thing that seems totally unrelated that gives the doc the answer to what is going on.


Pud

[Seeker]

Howdy Jayne, I can understand your confusion.  SjS, as I always have said, is a very sneaky disease.  It affects each person differently.  It's severity can vary with each person also.  Many of your symptoms may well have other causes.  But at this point your doctor needs to have a long discussion with you.  Have a list of questions for him/her.  Discuss each point on your list and write down the answers.  Don't try to filter the information that you give your doctor.  Think of your doctor as a detective.  It is only by gathering and sifting through all the evidence, can the criminal be identified and caught. In this case what is causing your problems. 

I am glad you are perusing the information available here on the forum.  The forum is a real gold mine of info.  Every one here is willing to help and support you.  I hope you will find your answers soon.

Seeker.

[Jayne]

Thanks so much for your replies, it does help to know that all information could be useful. It could be some weeks before I get any test results, and I dread the thought that they will be all negative as I see happens to a lot of people. I know something has been wrong with me for years and I think that putting a name to it will help me to move on. Will keep in touch.
Jayne x