New Discoid Lupus Diagnosis

I had a raised red lesion on my cheek right next to my nose and wanted to have it zapped with liquid nitrogen, as I have had other sunspots zapped off of my nose in the past.

Skin biopsy results

The dermatologist sent me to a plastic surgeon for a biopsy, and the result came back. Discoid Lupus. I was shocked. I am 68 years old. We had already booked a 2 week vacation in Aruba, and I took all the precautions like, SPF clothing, sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat, and sitting under the hut on the beach.

More symptoms

Still, in the 2nd week, I felt so sick, then I got chest pain, and my blood pressure went through the roof. I spent the night in the hospital, went to the cardiologist when I got home, and had all the cardiac tests. The cardiologist said he is 90 percent sure it’s not my heart, but I have to have one more cardiac test (a cardiac CT), which takes about 6 months to get in for that. However, 1 spray of nitro (under the tongue) relieved my chest pain initially. Plus, I had chest pain and out-of-control blood pressure twice more. The cardiologist put me on metroprolol and since then, I have had no episodes.

Waiting on blood work

I have had other sores on my face and one small scaly patch on my leg. I’m also waiting to get the results of bloodwork of ANA and one other test (I forget the name) that apparently is elevated if Systemic Lupus is present. I have aches and pains; However I don’t know if it’s arthritis from my age or not.