:lol: hello, my name is lisa and I have been recently partially diagnosed with lupus. I am somewhat confused about the whole thing. It started after I had my son in 2001. 9 days after I had him, I began to hemmorage at home and was rushed to the hospital. This resulted in an emergency hysterectomy as a last resort effort to save my life. Well of course it worked. After that, I began to feel tired. I thought perhaps it was because I was on bed rest for amonth and my muscles were just weak. For two years I started getting fatigues, ibs and allergies that seemed to worsen every spring. In 2003 they decided to give me a colonscopy and endoscopy. A few days after the procedures I experienced some of the worse itching in my life. Itching all over with no rash. It was weird. Gp told me to take benydryl and gave me some topical steriods which didnt seem to work. I suffered for a year with the severe itching until I went to the er because I had gotten very painful groin itching... Also, I started to have pains in my legs and swelling. I had been put on all types of fluid pills and anti depressants to help me sleep. The swelling and pain continued to get worse. At first I was finally diagnosed by gp with fibromyalgia after ruling out thyroid, cardiac, liver and kidney problems. She referred me to a rheumy and he ran test that my other doc didnt run. My ana was increased he said ( I dont know the numbers) and he said it indicated an autoimmune disease. Ran another batch of test and "there were no markers to indicate what specific auto immunice disease it is." he then said I had undifferentiated inflammatory connective tissue disease. (what a mouthful) I couldnt find much information on it this disease at all. He did put me on plaquenil, 1500mg of neurton, cymbalta, restori for sleep, prednisone(10mg) and a combincation pill of two types of fluid pills. The latest visit I had with him, he said he decided that it was a mild form of lupus and ordered more bloodwork. I am thouroughly confused because I read that a positive ana doesnt necessarily mean lupus, but I have so many symptoms that I thought I have been losing my mind and becoming a hypo. I am afraid that noone wants to listen to me, my family and friends just look at me like "here she goes again with another aching complaint". But I love and I mean love to shop and I cant even do that any more because my legs and feet hurt soooooooo bad after an hour of walking around. I have gotten up in the nite rubbing my legs because the pain wakes me up. I've had shoulder pain that has come and gone. The problem that seems to persist is the burning leg and arm pain that I have. My leg goes to sleep after sitting for about 30 minutes. My big toe has a tick. My eyelids have swollen to the point they were shut complettly closed. I had been on allergy shots for 2 years. Im starting to have headaches. I get queusy alot (think it is from the plaqunel)it is just unreal! Oh yeah... Just came down with oral thrush !!!! Doc says it is from the prednisone... Does it ever stop!! Im sorry, but it is nice to be able to vent to people who understand. Only good thing is that my face is cleared up. I've suffered with acne and rashes on my face for years... And its gone! Yipppie. Anyway, thanks for taking the time to listen/read.... It helps.