Question 1

20yr old f with thrush for the 3d time this yr.  i'm been on hcq  for sle w/o organ damage for yrs.   do i need to discuss w/ rheum stronger meds ?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Some people may need to be on daily prophylaxis for yeast infection due to their suppressed immune status

Question 2

have lupus.get on/off bad muscle pain/stiffness(legs, hips, back,arms) x1 month.my rheum said c3, c4 normal.otc meds dont help.do i have to live w/it?

Accepted Answer

Get second opinion: Although the normal blood tests suggest that your lupus is not active, one needs to consider other causes for your pain and thus I would suggest that you seek a 2nd opinion- perhaps an orthopedist.  Having one disease does not preclude another condition.

Question 3

generalized body aches, malaise, depressed mood. should i see rheum, psych, internal med?

Accepted Answer

Internal Medicine: Initially internal medicine - the differential here is quite broad.  A lot more needs to be know and figured out before any decision for a specialty referral can be made.

Question 4

who treats fibromyalgia? neuro? pain manag., rheum? is thier a well known "fibro" dr. out there somewhere? i would travel anywhere for the best!

Accepted Answer

Any of the above: Rheumatologists, neurologists, pain docs and internists all diagnose and manage fibromyalgia.  We have well-established criteria for diagnosis and management of FM, but some care providers are more proficient. Call around to find out which care providers (MD/DO, PA, NP) in your area are good with managing FM, and research online who has a good reputation treating FM. Good luck!

Question 5

my friend always has this rheum on his eyes. now its bleeding. what is it? please help me.

Accepted Answer

Not sure: What you have asked is not clear. You should urge your friend to see a doctor. Rheum in this country usually has to do with connective tissue disease. If you are talking about a growth this should be seen and biopsied.
Best wishes.

Question 6

rheum had me stop plaquenil (on it for +ana, symptoms) to see if i notice that i feel worse off of it. how long after stopping it would i begin to notice that i'm not on it. how long do i have to be off of it for me to realize it helpd to be on it?

Accepted Answer

Return of symptoms: This would be quite variable and it may take days, weeks or months before any relapse occurs. A lot depends on the type and intensity of your original disorder. Did your ANA level fall when you were started on plaquenil ? Relapse would most likely consist of return of your original symptoms. Your rheumatologist can advise you best,however.

Question 7

had + ana bloodtests every time, several times a year for past 7 yrs (1:160). went to new rheum & bloodtest showed ana negative. how? whats this mean?

Accepted Answer

ANA tests fluctuate: ANA is an antibody test  , not a specific  disease test. The level of Anti nuclear antibodies can fluctuate from time to time and also based on the method of ANA test that is performed.
   The ANA test can be associated with lupus but is not a specific test for it .
    A person must have a positive ANA to have lupus , but there are many people who have positve ANA tests but do not have lupus.

Question 8

think husband has raynaud's. better to see rheum or derm? how is it diagnosed?

Accepted Answer

If Raynaud's: Then rheumatologist would a good choice, but if uncertain, dermatologist could certainly diagnose.  Until then avoid cold exposure, stop smoking if he does.  Best of luck.

Question 9

i see my rheum in a couple weeks, but would having ssb antibodies cause problems even if lupus or other diseases weren't present?

Accepted Answer

See details: Positive ssb antibodies by themselves (when the ssa antibody is negative) have little clinical significance. They can be falsely positive. If the ANA and other tests for lupus are negative, i would disregard the ssb results.

Question 10

can fibromyalgia feel like flu? i dont have pain, just the gross flu feeling all over, i get it often. rheum. doc thinks fibromyalgia after exams

Accepted Answer

Fibromyalgia: FM is a generalized systemic condition that is characterized by widespread aching or pain throughout the body, notably in the weight bearing muscles. No single treatment is completely effective in controlling FM and treatment is largely empirical. The tender points injections is one of the treatment modalities and very efficient one. Good luck.

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Doctor answers about:

Rheum meds medication

A member asked:

20yr old f with thrush for the 3d time this yr. i'm been on hcq for sle w/o organ damage for yrs. do i need to discuss w/ rheum stronger meds ?

A member asked:

Have lupus.get on/off bad muscle pain/stiffness(legs, hips, back,arms) x1 month.my rheum said c3, c4 normal.otc meds dont help.do i have to live w/it?

A member asked:

Generalized body aches, malaise, depressed mood. should i see rheum, psych, internal med?

A member asked:

Who treats fibromyalgia? neuro? pain manag., rheum? is thier a well known "fibro" dr. out there somewhere? i would travel anywhere for the best!

A member asked:

My friend always has this rheum on his eyes. now its bleeding. what is it? please help me.

A member asked:

Rheum had me stop plaquenil (on it for +ana, symptoms) to see if i notice that i feel worse off of it. how long after stopping it would i begin to notice that i'm not on it. how long do i have to be off of it for me to realize it helpd to be on it?

A member asked:

Had + ana bloodtests every time, several times a year for past 7 yrs (1:160). went to new rheum & bloodtest showed ana negative. how? whats this mean?

A member asked:

Think husband has raynaud's. better to see rheum or derm? how is it diagnosed?

A member asked:

I see my rheum in a couple weeks, but would having ssb antibodies cause problems even if lupus or other diseases weren't present?

A member asked:

Can fibromyalgia feel like flu? i dont have pain, just the gross flu feeling all over, i get it often. rheum. doc thinks fibromyalgia after exams

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