The Stress Of Not Kn

» ashcdebaca - Help

I recently went to my primary care physician with quite a few issues that are not consistent with any condition other than Lupus but in researching lupus I have noticed that I have many symptoms that are not listed anywhere. I was referred to a Rheumetologist and a Dermatologist but they are both extremely hesitant on providing a diagnosis and honestly I'm tired of weekly or bi-weekly lab tests that have not provided any conclusion.

I just turned 24 and I've been dealing with this for about 6 months now. In the past I had 2 Western Blot HIV tests come back positive due to heightened antibodies, but these test have been incorrect upon further, more detailed HIV tests. I was told that there was no explaination for the test results, but in reading about what lupus is and the test that easily diagnoses lupus I have begun to suspect that I may have found the explaination. I began having issues 24 hours after I had a baby and they have continued to worsen. I have extreme swelling in my joints and muscles that usually comes with activity (like grocery shopping) but not always, the swelling is pretty severe and can get to where I am not able to put on tennis shoes or even get out of bed, it causes a lot of pain and if one part or another of my body is not deformed it's deeply bruised and ugly. I break out in a rash any time I wear new clothes that have contact with my skin in a new place (like where the top of a pair of pants have contact with my hip bones or the end of a shirt sleeve has contact with my arm)this will only happen when I wear a new piece of my wardrobe for the first time only. These rashes also appear when my husband and I wrestle or play and he will grab my wrists to restrain me. These rashes often bruise but will only last a couple of hours. I've lost over 40 pounds in the last 2 months and I was somewhat underweight to begin with. Members of my family that are not aware that I am ill have asked my husband to persuade me to seek treatment for anorexia. My last little irritating symptom is that I have lost so much hair that I have 3 lovely little bald spots but the hair at least seems to attempt to grow back.

Please help. My husband assures me constantly that I do not have Lupus but without any kind of diagnosis from my doctors the stress of not knowing is almost too much to handle. I hate whining about it but I'm an emotional wreck. What do you think? Could it be lupus or am I just stressing myself out about nothing?

-- posted by ashcdebaca

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