Join Our Community!
Share
Conditions and Diseases > Immune Disorders Forum > possible auto immune disease?
Avatar
Q: possible auto immune disease?
asked by: AG4687 on April 3rd, 2009
New User
about a month or so ago I woke up at 3 am with bright red swollen toes, turned white when touched, painful and itchy only on tops. this has happened a few times. since then my feet are ALWAYS discolored...range from sunburned red, blue, to purple with pink dots. It's also mostly my toes that change colors. When I sit on a raised chair and let them hang the color becomes more intense and often when I shower they flare up as well. In general whether I'm cold, hot, or warm the color has significantly changed. I've been sitting watching TV and glanced down and they have even looked dead (dark purple, dry). I'm often extremely flushed and red in the face as well - where it looks like I may have been tanning. Recently I was in bed reading and my left forearm was beat read and my hands had a purple/blue look. Also, I've noticed when I get out of the shower or stand up still for a period of time my legs especially inner lower leg become red/purple with blotches and can sometimes itch(this has happened before many times) But even when I'm active and up and going my legs have recently had a dull purple lacy look to them. Although the most drastic things happen to my toes, in the past month I have experienced the color changes to my toes, feet, legs, and hands. I went to the Dr. who said it looked like Raynaud's but would do blood work. Other symptoms which may be related or not: coin sized dry skin patches that dermatologists have told me could be eczema, a fungus, an allergy, etc. they go and come but have been more frequent lately. Also in general I do not feel well... I have a constant lack of energy and never feel myself. I have also had severe headaches recently and find myself getting them daily (not always debilitating). Although this started more noticeably with the weird circulation issues a month ago, in general even when I'm working out and eating well and getting plenty of sleep, I never feel 100%. I'm a 21 yr old female and am not even sure what "blood work" the Dr did. In order to find out what is causing my symptoms or if there is an underlying issue do I need specific tests done or would a GP know to test for things?? I'm also worried I have a blood clot or something that won't show up on a blood test and will be overlooked by the Dr as just having typical Raynauds (even tho from the research i've done what's been happening to me isn't really always raynaud's like) If you have any feedback or direction I would be very thankful!
Did you find this post useful?
|
Replies(3)
Avatar
Catzmommy
replied on April 13th, 2009
New User
re:
Your doctor is probably testing you for a connective tissues disease, as raynauds is secondary to these types of disorders. I'm not a doctor, but your combination of symptoms made me think lupus right off the bat. Luckily there is a blood test that can diagnos this, it's called an ANA test. There is also other screening they do called an ENA test. If you are sure that something is wrong, do not let it go. I was recently diagnosed with an autoimmune disease and I would not have gotten help if I hadn't been my own health advocate. You symptoms do not sound benign so don't take no for an answer. You will need to see a rheumatologist. GP's probably don't see lupus or other connective tissues diseases often. I'm sure if he/she found something in your blood work he could refer you to someone. If they is wishy washy about it, seek out a specialist yourself, don't wait.
Did you find this post useful?
|
Users who thank Catzmommy for this post: AG4687 
Avatar
AG4687
replied on April 14th, 2009
New User
thank you so much!!
Did you find this post useful?
|
Avatar
joycieo2
replied on November 19th, 2009
New User
Wow. This sounds almost exactly like me. Did you figure out what it was? I'm going through the battery of tests at the moment, but feel like it's taking forever to figure out what is wrong.
Did you find this post useful?
|
Quick Reply
Search