Hey tallwoman...
Whenever I go see the rheummy they always ask if I get cold sores. I did before I was diagnosed, since then though, nope.

One of my rheummys gave me prescrip for some kind of gargle that helps them go away. I didn't ever use it as I didn't need to. You may want to ask about it.

Hope it helps.

Why they come I have no idea. I'm someone will be very bright and say "stress".

Clarebear

Thanks for your reply. You know, the rheumy I see now has never asked me about cold sores. He's more interested in his test results and my neurological symptoms. He doesn't ask me for things that point to a lupus dx like, "do you experience excessive hair loss?" the answer would be yes. "do you experience problems with sunlight?" the answer would be yes. "do you experience cold sores?" "unexplained fevers?" the answer would be yes. And so on.

Well, I try to be patient with him. He does do his best. And I have to trust he knows what he's doing.

You do ***not*** have to trust that he knows what he is doing. You can ***always*** get another opinion.

I know you are having a hard time getting an answer to your symptoms but if he is more concerned about things ***other*** than you then I feel there may be a problem.

I didn't like one of the doctors at the hospital when I was first admitted in 2002 and requested a change. It was done instantly and the new doctor was much better and also more informed on what was going on with me.

Clarebear

Hi there -- I also get cold sores and my doctor prescribed me a really effective medicine called acyclovir (i think that's how it spelled?). As soon as I start to feel the tingling coming on I immediately start taking the medicine and it almost always prevents a sore from forming. Of course you'd need to talk with your doctor to determine if it would be a good fit for you, but it works really well for me.

Dan

I see the rheumy again in august. You know, i'm going to be assertive and ask him about the cold sores and other symptoms. I really don't want to change rheumys because he's really the best doctor i've seen so far for my symptoms. And i've seen five (yes, 5) neurologists. And he beats all of them! I didn't mention before but he found a disease (a parasite actually) that I had, that no one had tested me for before this. So, I took the treatment for that, and right now we're waiting to see if this has helped. I think he's got his work cut out for him where i'm concerned. Because i'm a regular at the lab (always giving blood for tests) I have short conversations with the lab techs about my ordeal. They speak very highly of this doctor and assure me, that if anyone will find out what's wrong with me, it will be him. They say, "he won't give up." i'll also ask him about the acyclovir. I've heard of that.

I get cold sores all the time, but I've found that taking Lysine and Zinc tablets generally stop or reduce the occurrences. Since having these tablets recommended by my Mum (who gets cold sores almost as often as I do) I only get cold sores when I forget to take them for a couple of days.

I'm curious what the sores in your nose are like? I've had sores in my nose but I'm not sure if they would be considered ulcers or just my nervous picking (no, lol not picking my nose...but if I ever feel a bump or anything on my body I can't help but pick at it...which always causes sores of course.) I usually get them on the very edge of my nostril on the top of the inside.

But my nostrils will itch from allergies and I'll be scratching it when I'll notice a bump on the inside which is just slightly uncomfortable. That's when I can't seeem to leave it alone and it will scab over.