Discoid Lupus: Re: discoid lupus

» Clare10 - Re: discoid lupus

In response to message posted by mysharonna:

Hello mysharonna
Yes there can be such symptoms, even when ANA is negative, particularly the ulcers which are another skin sign of any type of lupus. Anemia is another which is not uncommon. The more antibodies a person has the more likely they will have a certain degree of systemic involvment. but it is not a hard and fast rule.
I know someone with the same sort of skin lesions as myself plus more other symptoms who is both ANA and anti-Ro negative. It was years before she got a proper diagnosis and proper treatment, based on a competent biopsy because she was repeatedly told it could not be this sort of lupus because there are no anti- bodies.
Unfortunately many doctors will not recognise the possibil complexity and variability of lupus. It is very important indeed to have a thorough lupus work up at the time of initial diagnosis and regularly for a couple of years thereafter, to make sure the discoid lesions are not the very first sign of systemic illness involving the inner organs..
Too often doctors will persist in refusing treatment with antimalarial/s, relying on UV avoidance and steroid creams, not seeing the discoid lesions as anything but the skin or part of underlying systemic illness that must be controlled as soon as possible to avoid further scarring and disfigurement and the deep suffering this can cause.
The anti- malarials will also help with the arthralgias, as well as fatigue which is also commonly experienced by many those with mainly skin lesions.
You are most welcome to visit " Just for Discoid"
www.delphi.com/lesion.
Best Wishes
Clare

-- posted by Clare10