Hi,
i was diagnosed with lupus almost 20 years ago. I've been on a lot of meds since then and have been in good control. I also have type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and hypothroydism. My first 2 md's said lupus (ana 1:160) consistantly high sed rate, sun sensitivity, discoid rash, joint and muscle aches, transient numbing and tingling throughout extremities, unexplained hives, pleuracy, etc. My other lupus labs have been normal. About 5 years into this mess I moved to a new area and my new rheumatologist said that it was an undifferientated connective tissue disease. He made some medication changes but was bascially treating me symptomatically. Recently, I moved again and my new rheumy says that he doesn't think there is any connective tissue disease going on. He thinks that it is due to my thyroid condition and that the consistantly high ana doesn't mean anything. My thyroid has been in good control constantly since I was diagnosed with it many years ago. I have started getting non painful sores in my nose and mouth but he doesn't think there is any connection. I am also developing chronic sinusitis. I had a ct scan of the sinus' and it didn't show anything unusual, but my md doesn't think that it is lupus related. He does have me on an nsaid, muscle relaxants and pain med, so he is treating the symptoms, I just don't see the connection between my well controlled thyroid condition and my lupus symptoms. My diabetes is also in good control. What does it take to get a diagnosis out of these doctors?