Systemic Lupus Erythematosus or Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Question

My symptoms are: Extremely painful to walk, rashes, blood in urine, Anemia (had to get iron infusions), headaches, extreme fatigue, ect. I seen a doctor who did some x-rays, blood work & a physical exam. She recently called me & told me from my lab results came back & said i have either Systemic Lupus Erythematosus or Rheumatoid Arthritis. She said my blood work showed alot of abnormalities & even infection. She wanted me to start on a steroid right away. She put me on (10 mg pills of Prednisone) for 10 days until my follow up with a Rheumatologist. Okay my question: What is Lupus & Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Are these 2 illnesses simular? She will be calling me back within 5 days with the other test results. Has anyone personally experienced this? She said my illness is treatable but not cureable. I'm still pretty young & this is a shock to me & i'm having a hard time dealing with not knowing what i'm dealing with i guess my new doctor will be able to answer alot of questions later.

Thanks for the advice i will go look there.

Answer 1

Lupus and RA are autoimmune diseases, that is when your immune system attacks your own cells.
These two diseases overlap in some people, so don't focus so much on an absolute diagnosis.

I am sorry that you have this problem. It sucks. Try to take the steroids as little as possible because, although it may help you feel better, it has lots of side effects over time.

Looking back over your symptoms, it sounds like you have something else going on too. Doctors do not know what causes the outbreak or auto-immune diseases. It can be stress, chemical exposure, diet or most commonly, something you can never identify.
Make sure you get good sleep. Eat a super healthy diet with plenty of vegetables and fruits.

My Mom had RA. I have friends with lupus and related illnesses. Don't give up hope. There are so many advances in the treatment of these diseases.

Here are a couple of links on auto-immune disease:
http://www.lef.org/protocols/immune_connective_joint/lupus_01.htm
http://www.lef.org/protocols/immune_connective_joint/rheumatoid_arthritis_01.htm

Answer 2

Imagine for a moment your arthritis completely vanishing right now.

If, in a moment, your pain and stiffness melted away. And your joints all of a sudden functioned like a well-oiled machine.

Like a magic wand was waived, you'd be able to jump up from your chair and run around the room like a kid.

And imagine that you'd never have to suffer as much as a pinch of arthritis stiffness or pain ever again.

I know this sounds impossible right now, but bear with me, because sometimes miracles happen.

It was a gift from a woman on the other side of the world. From the kindness of her heart, she took pity on my suffering and taught me how to completely reverse my arthritis.

Today, I want to do the same for you!

Answer 3

Lupus does not RESULT from accumulation of immune complexes in various organs it CAUSES the creation of immune complexes and the accumulation in organs. Not sure about the RA question

Answer 4

check Webmd.
Bless you.