I am 24 yrs. old, just went back to my dr. after having been tested for Lupus. She said that my bloodwork looked ok, not great but ok. I have 6 of the 11 criteria for Lupus and tons of symptoms. My dr. said that she was going to let my chart say +ANA and not lupus, because of insurance reasons (fear of having them drop me, or difficulty getting other insurance due to pre-exi. condition), but that she thought that I do have lupus based on my symptoms. She prescribed me Plaquenil. I just wonder if she was doing this as a favor, or is she really just trying to passify me?Also, does anyone know of any good support groups/websites that I can use?
Answer:
Hi Im Chris, One of the owners of Lupus Autoimmune Sisters. We cover all Autoimmunes, However I am the owner with Lupus, and does the research for Lupus. I started with symptoms of Lupus at 14. Full blown by 27. Im now almost 40. I too meet 6 of 11 critera. About your Dr. She did exactly what my Doctor did for the first two years. She put me on plaquinil (an antimalarial) hoping to suppress your immune system a bit, and help nif you suffer joint pain. She is doing the right thing, though even if an insurance company (not an employer, they can not deny a spouse or sufferer based on a preexisiting condition, your rates may be higher then other employees) sees possible SLE (LUPUS) they if you try getting private insurance can and probablly will turn you down. and if you lie, they will drop you. But your Doctor is waiting to see if the SLE progresses, or disables you. If it does, She will put it, so if you can't work she can help you get Social security Disability if you need it at some time. After 2 years on SSDI you are automatically eligible for medicare in most states. I live in CA. And got medicare a federal insurance 2 years to the day of Recieveing SSDI Benifits
http://www.lupus.org/support/groups.html... go to this site and you can locate a chapter close to you. My aunt has lupus and she's heard the same things so I really do think the doctor is trying to help you because Insurance companies only care about money, they can be vicious. You keep ya head up sweetheart and I'll be praying for you
If you have clinical and the physical signs of lupus, such as joint pains, swelling andrash, then the ANA is confirmatory. if you are being given Plaquenil then you are being treated not placated. Generally associated with the +ANA are several other tests for antibodies, called autoantibodies. these help confirm the diagnosis, provide prognosis and may give information for your doctor to monitor your condition. Regarding the insurance issue. Be very careful. firstly, a review of your recordsby an insurance agent will find a +ANA and a treatment. this will raise red flags. also if you are found to have a disease that was present at the time you apply and it is not reported, you maybedenied payment later. I agree that your doctor is trying to do you a favor, but , it maynot be worth it. good luck. By the wayis your doctor a rheumatologist? if not you may want to consult one and get his/her perspective.
as for support group you can contact the Arthritis Foundation and the Lupus Foundation
I believe most patients diagnosed with lupus goes through the same "false-positive" test results before the Dr. will give a definite diagnosis. I understand the Drs. cannot until the tests prove it for sure. I am sure she wants to protect you from being labeled with a disease before it is definite.I spent years without a definite diagnosis. My advice is to continute regular checks with your dr so she can monitor your kidney function, just in case Lupus goes there. Many people give up and quit going to drs when it doesn't seem to do any good. Don't do this as this disease can attack your body without any outward symptoms. Stay in close touch with your dr. My wishes are that you don't have Lupus. I still advise that you let your dr. keep a close watch over you no matter how frustrating and puzzling it becomes.
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