peachyhugsgina
12-17-2009, 08:51 AM
Hi,
I am not sure exactly what is going on in my world of autoimmune disorder. I recently started seeing a new rheumatologist. She , of course, did her own complete blood study work up. The antiproteinase 3 level came back elevated. She said that this test was indicative of a vasculitis, or a flare of my systemic lupus. Today, she opted to start me on methotrexate injections. I know that this is a drug that is chemotherapy like and will suppress my immune system.
I suppose I should give you guys a quick overview of what has been going on with me. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 1997, and sle.. lupus in 2005. I have been on a maitenance dosage of plaquenil since diagnosis, and basically been in remission, until now.
Last fall, a year ago, I developed a purplish lacy rash on both arms, my abdomen, and both legs. My doctors, rheumatologist and primary care at that time.. both are different docs now due to having moved the past year, thought that the rash was a reaction to some of the medication I was taking, so I was taken off all meds and slowly re introduced to them. with absolutely no change in the rash on my body.
The past 3 months, I have had increased fatigue, the type that overwhelms you, severe joint pain.. especially feet, ankles and left knee, occasionally an ulceration in my nose that only an antiviral seems to help control.. I also have been diagnosed with chronic epstein barr syndrome.. high epstein barr titers.
The rheumatologist I am now seeing says she feels that due to my fatigue, joint pains, and blood tests results.. that I am in a lupus flare and we need to treat it more aggressively with the methotrexate.
I have been reading about WG and feel that I have some but maybe not enough of the symptoms for diagnosis. What do you guys think?
My symptoms are
night sweats
fever
joint pain
fatigue
occasional vascular rash
all over body itching
Thanks for all your help. Also, if you have any information on injectable methotrexate or personal experience with this treatment, I am truly interested.
Thanks
Peachyhugs
Peachyhugsgina
I am not sure exactly what is going on in my world of autoimmune disorder. I recently started seeing a new rheumatologist. She , of course, did her own complete blood study work up. The antiproteinase 3 level came back elevated. She said that this test was indicative of a vasculitis, or a flare of my systemic lupus. Today, she opted to start me on methotrexate injections. I know that this is a drug that is chemotherapy like and will suppress my immune system.
I suppose I should give you guys a quick overview of what has been going on with me. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 1997, and sle.. lupus in 2005. I have been on a maitenance dosage of plaquenil since diagnosis, and basically been in remission, until now.
Last fall, a year ago, I developed a purplish lacy rash on both arms, my abdomen, and both legs. My doctors, rheumatologist and primary care at that time.. both are different docs now due to having moved the past year, thought that the rash was a reaction to some of the medication I was taking, so I was taken off all meds and slowly re introduced to them. with absolutely no change in the rash on my body.
The past 3 months, I have had increased fatigue, the type that overwhelms you, severe joint pain.. especially feet, ankles and left knee, occasionally an ulceration in my nose that only an antiviral seems to help control.. I also have been diagnosed with chronic epstein barr syndrome.. high epstein barr titers.
The rheumatologist I am now seeing says she feels that due to my fatigue, joint pains, and blood tests results.. that I am in a lupus flare and we need to treat it more aggressively with the methotrexate.
I have been reading about WG and feel that I have some but maybe not enough of the symptoms for diagnosis. What do you guys think?
My symptoms are
night sweats
fever
joint pain
fatigue
occasional vascular rash
all over body itching
Thanks for all your help. Also, if you have any information on injectable methotrexate or personal experience with this treatment, I am truly interested.
Thanks
Peachyhugs
Peachyhugsgina