Hello,
This past Friday afternoon, I was once again at the lab for more tests. This time I am being screened for Lyme Disease, West Nile Virus and once again the ANA screen for lupus. I also took a chest x-ray. I feel ok for a day or two then it's right back to the same old stuff. Achy joints and muscles, slight nausea and rapid heart beat. I also am having a feeling very difficult to describe. It's sort of like being out of breath and also when I take a deep breath I get the same same feeling as you would when breathing in hot steam from a shower. It doesn't cause discomfort, just an odd feeling. Almost near the top of my stomach or something, though it's most difficult to even describe. I had her take the x-ray thinking it could possibly be lung cancer or some sort of cancer. I'm also having very red eyes lately which I suspect is allergies but it is also another symptom of lupus. I know the doctor did not think I needed another ANA test but I feel like I did. She also tells me it is highly unlikely that I have lupus, though in my heart I truly believe it is highly likely that I do. Too many symptoms over the past ten years add up. It comes and goes like lupus flares. Sore joints, achy muscles, unexplained rashes, some headaches, and so on. I tend to think it isn't MS because I have no muscle weakness, coordination problems, vision problems or speech difficulties. (Though the speech tends to get a little foul when I get disgusted with all these symptoms.) It could be Rheumatoid Arthritis but some of the symptoms wouldn't make sense. So I will be very surprised if this test does not show positive ANA which would suggest lupus. In an odd sort of way I kind of hope it does, that way people will not look at me and say it's ALL been in my head all these years. Plus if I am diagnosed, I can begin some sort of treatment to help me feel better. Realistically I don't want lupus or any other disease but like I said, if I am diagnosed at least I won't have to constantly wonder anymore what the heck is making me feel the way I do. I should know something early this week, maybe tomorrow.