Hi,

I joined this group today hoping to find some friendly support and offer that back if I can. I want to make sure it's alright for me to join, since I haven't been diagnosed with lupus. I go in for my first appointment with a rhuematologist (I was referred by my GP who thought it would be best if I went straight there for testing and further treatment). Please feel free to add me as a friend if you would like.

I have basically had a lot of vague but difficult symptoms for years, but they have gotten worse and worse. The symptoms I have flare up for periods of time and then seem to remit for a while... but they always come back. I have severe fatigue, joint pain, muscle pain, headaches, unexplained nausea, and numbness & tingling in my feet, legs, and hands. I recently began having Raynaud's as well. Occasionally I have a very bad brain fog/confusion that can last hours as well as other neurological-type symptoms I can just describe as weird (Including slurred and difficult speech, shaking, and lack of coordination), but I had an MRI of my brain which was normal. I also get high blood pressure when my symptoms are active.

Besides (I assume) ruling out diabetes, thyroid issues, anything that would show up on an MRI, I have had this all blamed on my weight, "depression" (though I'm generally a happy, positive, and motivated person, two different doctors have wanted to treat my physical symptoms with anti-depressants, which don't help at all), and being a side effect of birth control pills (although symptoms persist after discontinuing them for several months)...

Now I'm finally being told something that makes a lot of sense, that I could have lupus since several systems in my body are affected. Rheumatoid Arthritis is, I think, also a possibility (assuming it can affect other systems in the body besides just joints). Then again, I won't really know until I see the specialist this coming Tuesday. I'm hoping for an answer... not that I want to have lupus or RA one bit, but no matter what anyone says I still have these symptoms interfering with my life and making me feel very ill quite often. I'm ready to find out what's going on and start treatment because I need some relief, and self-care isn't cutting it anymore :S

I could use all the advice, support, or opinions that anyone wants to offer. I greatly appreciate it, and thanks for taking the time to read my post