I dont know if anyone can help...but please if you can!!

[zandersmom05]

So last week my aunt was diagnosed with MS (she went to the hospital with numbness and the inabitilty to tell between hot and cold on the inside of her arms....they did an MRI and found lesions)...Well then she got a second opinion and they say its Lupus....I am really confused I have done research on both but have not been able to find anything that can relate the lesions or the symptons (may have more that I odnt know about) to Lupus....I dont want to be inappropriate and I know this is something that everyone is dealing with so I dont want to upset anyone...I am just confused about the disease and unsure about the diagnose (no Im not a doc just going by some research I found so far)...please help me to understand lupus if you can, I know it may be a lot to ask but I am soooo confused right now and dont know that much....I am really curious to find out what I can, not only for my aunt but also for myself and wanting to understand...Thank you

[rmphillips06]

When I wad dignosed they orginally thought I had MS too.  I in my personal unprofessional opinion think that it happeneds a lot.   Lupus is hard to dignose and because it is very different for each individual it makes it harder.  There really aren't any tell true signs for lupus and that is what makes it hard.  I was dignosed when I was 15 and told I wouldn't see 18 I am 25 now.  The world can kiss my ***!  Infact I believe that it very possible to overcome lupus!  I believe this because I have gone to pain management, I have been to support groups, I have been through a lot and a little and lateley even more!  Infact I have recently been through so much garbage that I was sure I would end up in bed and I have actually felt fairly decent with the exceptions of my emotions.  Lupus is a blood diease that is passed through genetics and in some cases just the right combination of genes or so they think.  You can not contract it and there is no way to really say one does or does not have it.  It is what some call a "HIDDEN Disease."  Some poeple get the butterfly rash, and are weak and feel like they have a cold all the time without the runny nose and so forth.  Others are just allergic if you would to the sun and get rashes and burn easy.  Ultimatley lupus affects your autoimmune system.  your immune system becomes so strong that it can't tell the difference between good cells and bad cells so it kills everything including tissues and organs.  The best way to over come lupus is to believe in your mind that this is just a challenge you will get over.  Get plenty of rest and relaxation.  If it is stressfull don't do it, don't think about it, have nothing to do with it.  Challenge yourself from time to time to bring your body back to life. But know your limits if you push too far you will end up back at hole 1 from the 18th green. Lupus is different for everyone and what works for one doesn't necesarily work for another.   That is important to keep in mind.  It also takes months and sometimes years to dignose lupus.  In all cases just be there to listen to your Aunt, help her when she asks and sometimes when she doesn't.  Don't baby her because that will just make her feel dependant on someone and that isn't a feeling most enjoy as adults. Ask her questions about how she feels, and offer anything of kindness. Hopes this helps. and in no way am i a doctor either or have any kind of professional anything!

[zandersmom05]

Quoting rmphillips06:

When I wad dignosed they orginally thought I had MS too.  I in my personal unprofessional opinion think that it happeneds a lot.   Lupus is hard to dignose and because it is very different for each individual it makes it harder.  There really aren't any tell true signs for lupus and that is what makes it hard.  I was dignosed when I was 15 and told I wouldn't see 18 I am 25 now.  The world can kiss my ***!  Infact I believe that it very possible to overcome lupus!  I believe this because I have gone to pain management, I have been to support groups, I have been through a lot and a little and lateley even more!  Infact I have recently been through so much garbage that I was sure I would end up in bed and I have actually felt fairly decent with the exceptions of my emotions.  Lupus is a blood diease that is passed through genetics and in some cases just the right combination of genes or so they think.  You can not contract it and there is no way to really say one does or does not have it.  It is what some call a "HIDDEN Disease."  Some poeple get the butterfly rash, and are weak and feel like they have a cold all the time without the runny nose and so forth.  Others are just allergic if you would to the sun and get rashes and burn easy.  Ultimatley lupus affects your autoimmune system.  your immune system becomes so strong that it can't tell the difference between good cells and bad cells so it kills everything including tissues and organs.  The best way to over come lupus is to believe in your mind that this is just a challenge you will get over.  Get plenty of rest and relaxation.  If it is stressfull don't do it, don't think about it, have nothing to do with it.  Challenge yourself from time to time to bring your body back to life. But know your limits if you push too far you will end up back at hole 1 from the 18th green. Lupus is different for everyone and what works for one doesn't necesarily work for another.   That is important to keep in mind.  It also takes months and sometimes years to dignose lupus.  In all cases just be there to listen to your Aunt, help her when she asks and sometimes when she doesn't.  Don't baby her because that will just make her feel dependant on someone and that isn't a feeling most enjoy as adults. Ask her questions about how she feels, and offer anything of kindness. Hopes this helps. and in no way am i a doctor either or have any kind of professional anything!

Thank you so much, I was just really unsure about how it changed from MS to lupus and how her symptoms seemed more like ms...but not knowing much about lupus myself I didnt know what to think...I am grateful for the time you took to right this for me....I appreciate it more than you know and I am glad to hear my Aunt wasnt the only one, that calms my nerves alittle bit about a potential miss diagnoses....She is currently going through her six days iv thing....It seems as from talking to my mom that this could potentially stay dormant and controllable so I am grateful that it is Lupus (from the information I have gotten) compared to MS (which seems much worse from what I got)....But thank you sooo much for you information, it helped me a lot and if you ever need support and anything please feel free to message me!!!

[nandonana]

hi i read all the replys and is exactly what i would say to you and anyone else. 

[booboo4584]

The doctors first told me I had R.A.... Lupus is hard to find... When they did my blood work and I had a positive  ANA... Lupus is so different for each person... Sometimes it  is hard to get  a true diagnose's, for many it takes years...

[Dee1960]

Lupus is an autoimmune disorder that is very difficult to diagnosis. You can get the brain lesions with Lupus and that is why it is so often misdiagnosed. I am on disability due to my lupus. The fatigue and pain can at times be very bad when you are having a "flare". There are  times when the diagnosis is very hard. I am sero negative which just means that my blood work is good so far. Hope it stays that way. Not to many years ago lupus was considered a death sentence, usually within 5 years. However, there are new treatments and people are living long lives with Lupus. Make sure your aunt has a rheumatolost. They are best equiped to handle her symptoms. 
Lupus is usually genetic. But genetics and enviornment are both thought to play a roll. My brother also has Lupus but only dermatalogical. I have systemic.  Just help your Aunt as much as possible and tell her to get as much rest as she can. Flares take time to reduce and she will need to give herself time to heal. I hope that all goes well for her. Feel free to contact me directly if you have questions. I am also a nurse. I will try to help you understand if I can.

[mompreneurMIBB]

I was diagnosed 13 years ago. It took 2 years and three doctors to diagnose me. First doctor said there was nothing wrong with me and that the pain was either all in my head or I just wanted drugs. I was devastated. I finally met my wonderful rheumatologist who told me I either had Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis or MS...pray for Lupus he said. I didn't even know what Lupus was at that time but I knew it wasn't good. Someone had mentioned it used to be a death sentence, no more, so please try not to worry so much. It's not easy, I won't lie anyone with it can attest to that. There are ups and downs, flares and periods of remission. It is definitely a lifestyle changer! I am currently undergoing chemotherapy for kidney disease associated with lupus. This was brought on following the birth of my daughter. I was told I shouldn't have children, but I don't regret it one bit. I feel good. I eat right, in fact became a vegetarian which I thought would be much more difficult than it was. Docs are astounded that I feel so good being that my lab results aren't so hot. I guess I am doing something right. Positive thought is more than half your battle, remember that. Feel free to ask me any questions always. I've had biopsies, miscarraiges, been on plaquenil, cellcept, steroids, now cytoxan, had every lab test under the sun. I may be able to help. Best of luck. Parting advice is to make sure you find an excellent rheumatologist!

[mamamom431]

The replies before mine are great I was diagnosed a few years ago. First I was told i had Lukemia. I was sure i was gonna die. Now I kinda feel relived that I am not totaly crazy theese thing i am feeling the pain ect. is real I am not just lazy I am physicaly drained of energy. be there for your Aunt I sometimes feel realy alone my family all watch house and now lupus is kinda like a joke catch all. I feel like it has been trivalized it is serious and needs to be taken that way But, Darn it Keep your aunt moving and help her see the bright side of life cause if you don't use that body it will loose its mobility and when you struggle to just get through the day it is so easy to forget what is so good about it.And i also wanted to let you know at the last dr. appointment I had the pleasure of meeting a man who was diagnosed with lupus July 1965 after being ill for five years!!!!!!!!!