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What Causes Joint Pain, Extreme Fatigue, Body Pain And Muscle Weakness?

Posted on Sat, 4 Jul 2015

Question: I am wondering if I may have Lupus. I had 2 boughts of strep throat in September 2014 and after that I started to get joint pain, extreme fatigue, body pains and muscle weakness. I have intermittent fevers and nausea. I have a sensitivity to light and especially to the sun. When I am in the sun my hands and cheeks break out in a rash and I start feeling sick. My last blood work CRP was high at 19. I also have IGA nephropathy kidney disease. I am wondering if you think that I might have lupus from the symptoms I subscribed? Also should ask my doctor to test for lupus and what bloodwork I should ask to be done?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Shruti Rijhwani (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Yes there may be a possibilty of Lupus.

Detailed Answer:
Dear Madam,

Thank you for posting your query on HCM.

Well looking into your problem I would like to tell you that whatever history you have mentioned hints towards possibilty of Lupus so it should be investigated .

For Lupus involvement You should get ANA , ENA profile , CPK , Anti ds DNA levels , Urine r/m to look for proteinuria and casts . This would be the preliminary testing and as the results come we can plan further accordingly .

Also I would like to know if you had any history of spontaneous miscarriages or any child birth complications.

Any other query you want to ask I would be happy to answer.

Take care.

Dr. Shruti

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Shruti Rijhwani (8 hours later)

Thank you for your quick reply, it is much appreciated.

Yes, I have had one miscarriage and I had preeclampsia (Toxemia) with both of my boys pregnancies which I had c-sections with both boys. Both of my boys have Autism. Does pregnancy complications and miscarriage also point to Lupus?

I also have a urine test done a couple times of year because of my kidney disease. I had one done a couple of weeks ago.
Protein 1.0 HI
Albumin (R U) 1669 HI
C-Reactive Protein 16 HI
Is this also an indication for lupus?

My family doctor has referred me to an Internist of Internal Medicine but I am wondering if there is a possibility of Lupus, if I should be referred to a rheumatologist instead?

Thank you,
XXXX

Answered by Dr. Dr. Shruti Rijhwani (16 hours later)

Brief Answer:
pregnancy complications do occur with lupus

Detailed Answer:
Dear Madam,

Thank you for reverting back .

Well , yes pregnancy complications are quite common in lupus. It may be indicative of either lupus itself or antiphospholipid syndrome. Since you have a history for the same, I think it is essential your doctor rule out lupus.

The urine report shows higher than normal range of protein and albumin. However for better interpretation please upload the complete urine report.

You can see your internal medicine doctor and discuss. If your internist shares my opinion too, you can request the doctor for rheumatologist referral.

Take care .

Dr. Shruti

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad