My Skin Is What Got Me Tested
I was officially diagnosed with SLE early this past November, although it had been suspected by doctors for about a year.
Getting my skin checked out
I am 66 years old and have been suffering from various skin lesions and welts for several years. It started lightly and has dramatically increased over the past six years or more. I went to a dermatologist but did not find a solution, even after seeing her for a couple of years. So I decided to go to a different dermatologist for a second opinion.
Getting answers from the rheumatologist
She sent me to have my blood tested for a possible autoimmune disorder. My ANA and dsDNA counts were positive, so she suspected lupus and referred me to a rheumatologist. After my results were in, additional tests continued to be positive. I have also become anemic. I have been treated for hypothyroidism for nearly ten years. He finally diagnosed my condition as SLE and prescribed me Hydroxychloroquine. Other problems may also be caused by lupus, such as recurring episodes of tendinitis along the radius of either hand. Most of my pain comes from burning sensations on my skin. I also suffer from clinical depression, anxiety, diabetes mellitus, and stage 2 emphysema.
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