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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Lupus S.L.E. That Has Caused Rheumatoid Arthritis Affecting Cervical Spine

I have lupus S.L.E. which has caused a rheumatoid arthritis in various joints of my body, knee and elbow replacements were necessary. The latest is my Cervical spine, In February 13 I had Anterior decompression and fusion of 4 vertebrae C7 - C4 and synthetic discs. My C1 - C3 are already showing signs of deterioration, C3 looks like a triangle, I have severe neck and ear pain and my GP is treating me with muscle relaxants and anti inflammatories. My question is; How does lupus attack bone and cause it to disintegrate? Same question for discs I suppose. I ve had bone density tests, no problem there and I ve been told not to take calcium pills, as more calcium would cause more problems. I m an active person but this is slowing me down.
posted on Sat, 15 Mar 2014
Twitter Fri, 5 Sep 2014 Answered on
Twitter Fri, 5 Sep 2014 Last reviewed on
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Rheumatologist,  's  Response
Good evening sir. well i really doubt the diagnosis of SLE here as SLE never causes joint destruction. It can cause various joint pains and occasional swellings, but never destruction. You may be having an overlap of SLE with Rheumatoid Arthritis but Rheumatoid Arthritis is the disease which can be very destructive if left uncontrolled. IT can affect your cervical spine, elbows, knees, hands and wrist causing deformities in most.

What i will suggest is that you need to start treatment for it. I am not sure if you have taken Methotrexate before, but you need to consider it after consulting your rheumatologist. Also there are new biological drugs available which will control your disease

Feel free to contact me for more information

Hope the information was useful
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Lupus S.L.E. That Has Caused Rheumatoid Arthritis Affecting Cervical Spine

Good evening sir. well i really doubt the diagnosis of SLE here as SLE never causes joint destruction. It can cause various joint pains and occasional swellings, but never destruction. You may be having an overlap of SLE with Rheumatoid Arthritis but Rheumatoid Arthritis is the disease which can be very destructive if left uncontrolled. IT can affect your cervical spine, elbows, knees, hands and wrist causing deformities in most. What i will suggest is that you need to start treatment for it. I am not sure if you have taken Methotrexate before, but you need to consider it after consulting your rheumatologist. Also there are new biological drugs available which will control your disease Feel free to contact me for more information Hope the information was useful