Help!

[SandyRN]

I HAD to start the prednisone again last night because the butterfly rash was SO clearly visible over my cheeks and nose, my entire body, even my head, is itching so badly again, and my joints are just throbbing. It's funny because the rash on my face doesn't itch, it just feels hot, but it looks like a butterfly!

My problems is this....I have the rheumy appt on the 26th, and I REALLY WANT my symptoms to show up, but I just can't live with this itching again, and the rash on my face makes me look like I have some communicable disease! Do I take my prednisone and just wean off of it like a week before the appt or should I just ride through these symptoms for another few weeks? I want SO badly for the doctor to see this rash on my face, and I'd love to be flaring so that maybe my sed rate and ANA will show something. And no, STILL have not got my labs from my PCP, I quit trying.

Hope this makes sense....but it seems possible that the kidney problems, now the joint pain and rashes MIGHT all be related to the lupus?!?!?

ps...Tom took a picture of the butterfly rash last night so if I don't have it for my appt. I've got a picture, but it's not all that clear.

[tigger_gal]

take your meds :) you don't need to suffer. Hubby too a picture that is good, and you have the dx from you reg doctor..
sending hugs.

[SharonA]

Would it be possible for you to go to your doctor's office for a "show and tell"? That way, the staff nurse can see you and then maybe you could be seen by the doctor as a "fit in". You may have to wait for awhile, but it might be worth it since you are showing symptoms right now.

[SandyRN]

Sharon, my PCP has seen the rash, it's one of the reasons he started me on the prednisone. The rheumatologist is a new doctor and I haven't seen him yet. After all the crud my pcp's office staff has given me losing my labs, taking weeks to finally make the rheumy appt, etc, I really don't have the energy, mentally or physically to deal with them.

I couldn't stand the itching so I took another dose this morning. I put on enough makeup I could pass for Anna Nicole (ha..LOL) to cover up this facial rash, and have to run to pick up my pain med rx's. I'm thinking about grabbing my pain doctor and saying, "hey, LOOK at my face". I dont have an appt though so I doubt he'd have time to even look at me, but I think I'll give it a try.

soooooooooooooooo tired of all of this :(

[humpieumpumkin]

I agree with Sharon! Try to get in, although I know how hard that can be!:evilsmile Also Tigger Gal made a good point...A picture says a thousand words! I hope you feel better!

Erika:bunny:

[ICNDonna]

My suggestion is to take the meds. Even if the picture isn't 100%, it should be enough to show the doctor. And if it helps you feel better, that's so very important.

Warm hugs,
Donna

[catlover2]

Try calling your new rheumatologist’s office. Tell them that you are being evaluated for Lupus, that your discoid rash is very visible, and that you would like someone there, like the nurse, to see it. I know this sounds like a time consuming phone call but I'm starting with a new rheumatologist at the end of this month and her office was able to move my appointment up from the end of April after I told them that my radiological findings were consistent with Ankylosing Spondylitis. If they still can’t squeeze you in, try taking another picture to see if the rash is more visible in the second picture. Hope you feel better soon.

[pingpong]

I agree with catlover - even if one of the nurses in your rheumatologist's office can spend a couple of minutes with you face to face, so to speak! All of your symptoms are consistent with lupus, including the kidney problems. See if you can get more pictures in case you can't be seen right away, and take your meds - you definitely don't want this spiraling out of control.