Lupus

[bobg]

    What the heck is lupus?  My family doctor sent me to a reumatologist for my arthritis. 1200  dollars in blood work and tests and he tells me maybe i have lupus. Have to go for more blood work to make sure. Went to my family dr. yesterday and he says BS. Doesn't think that is what it is. If lupus is something that kills you i think i will croak and get it over with. Can't get many answers from the reumatologist. Does any one have this and what the heck do you do for it?

[mechanic]

Lupus is an auto immune disorder that sometimes causes arthritis type symptoms, and as well can attack organs and joints.  A friend who has it has had to have two shoulder replacements.
 
Most often, you will have a red rash on both cheeks that comes and goes, and mysterious fevers with no obvious cause.
 
Take it seriously until it is ruled out.
 
Ben

[FPH]

As said...auto immune disease......comes and goes in a friend of mine......she has been told it will eventually be fatal......it is a PITA for her.

[bobg]

   Went to my family Doctor yesterday. He doesn't believe it is lupus. Says i have none of the usual signs. No rash no fever. Nothing. He said to him the blood work pointed more to osteoarthritis than anything else.