It’s been quite a while since I posted anything. We’ve had a few changes. She came close to 3 months off the prednisone, when the joint aches became too much. Muscle weakness was creeping back into the picture. She has started to lose alot of hair also.
On 3/19 she saw a rheumatologist for the first time. This doctor felt that since she had many +ANA tests, elevated RA, low white blood cell count, butterfly rash and joint pain that she met the criteria for systemic lupus (SLE). He started her back on the prednisone, 15 mg a day and also gave her some meds to take at night so she might get some sleep; something that has evaded her for quite awhile. She goes for a dexa scan this week. She has also developed an unusual rash on her feet. The dermatologist’s biopsy was inconclusive, and she will attend grand rounds next week. All the dermatologists will look her feet over;there may be a doctor that has seen this before to make a diagnosis.