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Suggest The Type Of Specialist To Consult For Autoimmune Disorders And Connective Tissue Disease

Posted on Mon, 23 Mar 2015

Question: i am in between primary care doctors, its proving difficult to find a new one as suffer from multiple problems, autoimmune disorders, connective tissue disease, pain disorders and fibromalgia to name a few.
I am currently having a lupus flair and therefore everything is worse. I am now completely out of pain relief and don't know how or where to go about getting more.

Answered by Dr. Naval Mendiratta (14 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
? Is it Lupus

Detailed Answer:
Good evening

Thank you for writing on health care magic

Well, i would like you to throw some more light on the diseases you are suffering, cause from you medication list you dont seem to be on any treatment for Lupus.
As for all the disorders you are having, it is normally managed by a rheumatologist itself and you dont need to consult any other doctor.

If you could answer a few queries, it will help me understand your disease better:

1. Duration of lupus? what were the complaints when you presented with lupus?

2. What are the medications you are taking for lupus at present?

3. Where exactly is the pain more, is it the joints or generalized body ache?

4. Do you experience difficulty in getting up from squatting position or climbing stairs or combing hair?

5. Were your antibodies positive for lupus?

6 What about your sleep pattern? any symptoms of forgetfulness or irritability recently?

7. When you say lupus flair, are there any other organs involved as well?

Do let me know these queries. Will help me understand your disease better. I will try to guide you in the best possible way i can

Regards
DR Naval

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Naval Mendiratta (43 minutes later)

Yes I have Lupus also other autoimmune/inflammatory issues. I take Methotrexate for the Lupus and Chronic atopic dermatitis. I have just had a bad lupus flare with all the common symptoms - butterfly rash, painful joints and chest, the list goes on I was hospitalized 3 weeks ago and I am on prednisone. i have generalized body aches, my elbows are very stiff and painful though. I do test positive for ANA in blood tests. Sleep pattern never has been good, I have had forgetfulness lately. In the past the lupus has attacked my adrenal gland, tear ducts, saliva glands and caused 6 failed pregnancies. My problem at the moment is that while I wait for an appointment with a new primary care doctor, I have no pain relief and my pain is heightened at present due to the active flair which exacerbates my chronic pain disorder and fibromalgia. I have 2 weeks to wait for my appointment and I don't know what to do to ease my pain as it is effecting my daily life. XXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Naval Mendiratta (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Treatment for lupus

Detailed Answer:
Good evening XXXXXXX

2 weeks is a long wait to consult your doctors. Other than bodyaches and elbows which are stiff, any other joints which are swollen and painful?With lupus it is very important to distinguish the pains, if it is due to disease or due to fibromyalgia. If it is due to the disease, we can increase your prednisolone for time being till you see your doctor. But if it is due to fibromyalgia, you need to take some pain modulator for it like Duloxetine or AMitryptilline.

Could you let me know the dose of Folitrax and Prednisolone you are on? Also, you need to include hydroxychloroquine as it is a very good drug for joint pains and skin manifestations due to lupus.

If you have increased rashes and arthritis at present, i would recommend increasing prednisolone, but just let me know the dose and your weight, SO i can calculate how much would suit your body

Regards
Dr Naval

Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D