Lupus treatment while trying to conceive + preparing for Lap Posted: 05-25-07 07:25am
I just want to know what kind of treatment
im likely to need after 3 'weak positive'
blood test results?
Will i need treatment everyday or just
while im trying to conceive and pregnant?
Or just while pregnant? Also i have the
laparoscopy coming up should i be
administered anything to prevent blood
clots due to the surgery and recovery?
What would be the best questions to ask
the consultant to make sure im getting the
best care?
I know you are busy but im very concerned
and im not sleeping because of it which is
affecting my fibromyalgia. Any help would
be great. I just want to be prepared for
my appointment.
Thank you.
|
DoctorAnswer
Doctor Answer
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Lupus Answer A2848 Posted: 06-06-07 03:44am
There are few blood tests (serological,
blood count, sedimentation…) for
confirming lupus but they are not a 100%
secure confirmation of the condition
because other rheumatic diseases can
indicate the same laboratory results. At
least 4 of these 11 diagnostic criteria
have to be present to confirm lupus:
1. Malar rash (rash on cheeks)
2. Discoid lupus (red, scaly patches on
skin which cause scarring)
3. Photosensitivity (adverse reaction to
sunlight)
4. Mouth or nose ulcers
5. Arthritis
6. More than 0.5g per day protein in
urine, or cellular casts seen in urine
under a microscope.
7. Seizures or psychosis
8. Pleuritis (inflammation of the membrane
around the lungs) or pericarditis
(inflammation of the membrane around the
heart)
9. Hemolytic anemia (low red blood cell
count), leukopenia (low white blood cell
count), lymphopenia (low lymphocyte count)
or thrombocytopenia (low platelet count)
10. Antinuclear antibody test (positive
ANA), very sensitive (98%) but non
specific.
11. Anti-Sm antibody or false positive
serological test for syphilis or
antiphospholipid antibody positivity,
presence of Anti-ss DNA in 70% of
patients.
In your case, you mentioned only
“positive blood results” without more
detailed information about which blood
tests were positive. If lupus is confirmed
via further diagnostic procedures, therapy
is absolutely necessary. Corticosteroids
are used for treating lupus and are not
contraindicated with pregnancy. You can
consult a rheumatologist to confirm or
exclude lupus as a possible diagnosis for
these symptoms and your present medical
condition.
A laparoscopy is a relatively safe
procedure. Surgical trauma during
laparoscopy is minimal. To further
clarify, hydrosalpinx is a complication
and final stage of tubal infection
(salpingitis) and is treated surgically.
If both tubes are affected, conception
will be very difficult. An incompetent
cervix is often reason for miscarriage in
the second half of the pregnancy.
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