Welcome tally!

We would love to help you comprise a list. To help us out, can you tell us the main focus of your lupus...Rashes, joints, kidneys, cns, etc.? The answer to this question will help you further define your questions and get the answers you need/want.

A few basics:

1) before the visit (and all other times too keep a detailed diary. Always highlight new symptoms or a change in frequency.
2) ask what tests have been run? Ask for all the lab results and medical records.


Anyone else? It is late and my mind is pretty blank! Lol!

Hugs and welcome, tally,
ladybrannon

To answer your questions so you can help me with my questions; I have experienced rashes, malar and discoid; photosensitivity; arthritis (diagnosed for a long time); extra protein in urine (don't know the range, just had this test done) and have tested twice positive ana. Gee, that's about it! Have not seen these results, doctor told me. What should be my questions for my next visit? I am on plaqenil now. Thanks.

Okay here is a start at the questions to take to the rheumy:

1) can I have a topical steroid creme for my rashes?
2) what was the protein levels in my urine? Were my creatine and bun levels normal, or not?
3) what are my ana levels? Sed rate? And c reactive protein levels?
4) please give me a copy of all my test results...
5) with the protein in the urine, do I need a nephrologist?
6) did you test for anti-dna? Anti-sm? Anti-ro? If so, what were the results?
7) is your arthritis typical lupus arthritis (non-degenerative) or degenerative? Since you have been diagnosed with it for a while. Another question about the arthritis...Was your ra test positive?
get a copy of all your medical records including past doctors! Take these to your current doctor!

Be sure to hand him the diary at the *beginning* of the visit. Ask him about *any* new tests and why he is running them!

I hope this helps! Hugs,
ladybrannon

Thank you so much for the list of questions I need to ask. I am learning alot from reading your forum and feeling less alone in all this. Thanks again and I will continue to check in and ask questions if I need to!

I would like to say hello and I joind this forum to also heal myself. My donna died and I still hurt she was an angel and I have nerver seen a stronger women. I hope that on my web site you can see how pretty she was and I hope that you would visit some of the links that can answere your question's.



Carey

Hi, my name is beth, its my first time here, I was diagnose with sle almost three years ago, I was 16 at that time. I was in remmission for 2 years and have experienced 2 major flares this year so far. Is there any diet I could follow to prevent this from happening again. Everytime I flare up I get worse. Anybody out there who could help?

Hope to hear soon???

Hi beth b! Welcome!

Couple of things about food...

1) do you eat alfalfa sprouts? If so, stop.
2) do you eat items from the nightshade family? Bell peppers, tomatoes, etc? Those can cause problems.
3) do you drink wine? Bad stuff, has sulfites.

Otherwise, low protein...Lots of fruits and vegetables!

hugs,
ladybrannon