Are there any of you out there that have both? I am afraid this may be my case.
I personally know 3 people with both, and I was tested for it and I have an MS lesion on my brain, but they can't legally put it on my records until I have more than one lesion, which is why they call it "multiple" sclerosis. I have many of the MS symptoms with my lesion though. You also might want to consider that lupus can affect the central nervous system (CNS) and cause MS type symptoms. I get that every few years too. Get tested. If it's clear, then it could be CNS lupus involvement.
Hi Sheila! I have been wondering the same thing over the holidays…am very curious to see everyone’s replies. Thanks for asking this question! I have sle and a number of other autoimmunes and have been tested several times for MS, but it never comes up positive. HOWEVER, over the last month I have developed new symptoms and am concerned now that this is in fact, ms, and not my sle…the fun just keeps on comin! Be Well, K
what's the test for MS? forgive my ignorance here, i just don't want to ask my doc for a test that i've already had, or don't need, or can't afford. But I've had some "episodes" recently where my tongue won't say what I want it to, and I have numbness and shakes, so I'm worried... but also in denial!!
I asked this same question Lupancat, a few months ago from the neurologist I saw. He said "Impossible" so I knew right then that I was never trusting him. I was diagnosed with MS in 2000 then got 2nd and 3rd opinions and was told I have Bell's Palsy, I have many symptoms of MS but I still have only one lesion as of a couple of years ago. A lot of it can be the lupus and sjorgren's. Nerve conduction tests are not off the chart either even though I have neuropathy in both legs and feet, I am getting "natural" treatments for that and hope it helps.
I too am anxious to see what all we find out from this discussion. Best of luck everyone!
The test for MS is an MRI.
Jwalkergraham said:
what's the test for MS? forgive my ignorance here, i just don't want to ask my doc for a test that i've already had, or don't need, or can't afford. But I've had some "episodes" recently where my tongue won't say what I want it to, and I have numbness and shakes, so I'm worried... but also in denial!!
They also take spinal fluid (spinal tap or puncture) and test that too.They check to see if it is cloudy and I don't know what else if there is anything else. I had both,
I suspect the same - but when I asked my Rheumy about that and something else, she seemed to blow me off. overall I like and trust her but that bugged me.
I have 3 immune disorders. MS, Lupus, and Fibromyalgia. I see a Neurologist for the MS and a Rheumy for the Lupus-SLE and Fibromyalgia. The Neuro doesn't know Lupus or Fibro. The Rheumy doesn't know MS. I often am teaching them things about how my conditions differ and affect me.
Here's and info link on can you have both. Yes.
http://www.healthline.com/health/multiple-sclerosis/ms-and-lupus#Overview1
Wow, I am learning so much from you all. Being new here I have lots to learn. Thanks for sharing.ST
I have both MAs and Lupus. In the beginning it was hard to tell the difference between the 2. Then when it was important I was able to tell the difference. MA is manageable, Lupus is kinda crazy. Things you never thought would happen, happen. It is definately the hardest to cope with.
I have lupus attacking my nervous system and brain. It was diagnosed through a lumbar puncture. The lumbar puncture showed immunogloblins in my spinal fluid which is indicative of ms or lupus. My symptoms are similar to ms. I have trouble walking, involuntary movement, trouble speaking, hallucinating, balance issues to name a few of the symptoms. To diagnose ms you have to have 2 or more lesions, my mri did not show any. My doctor said having ms and lupus is very rare. From what I understand I will recover (my walking ect). From ms you do not recover but over time get worse. That would be the biggest difference between the two.
Next week, I am going to a neurologist who specializes in MS---she only sees patients with MS. Over ten years ago I had a seizure or stroke (?) where I lost my left inner ear and had to learn to walk again. I went through a brain MRI and no lesions were seen, but did not get a lumbar puncture (spinal tap was old term). Had another brain MRI a few years later and it was again negative. But I feel like I have too many symptoms that are more MS than Lupus---for instance urinary incontinence at night. My rheumatologist said I should go to the MS Neurologist even though it is rare to have both diseases and hard to diagnose because they can have similar symptoms. (e.g. Incontinence is linked to MS not lupus---but--being in bed a lot weakens your bladder function). Before I had the stroke or seizure I had been having trouble feeling my feet for at least a year. Still have big problems with balance and walking. Issues have only gotten worse.....
P.S. I went to a urologist about a month ago and had all kinds of tests and the only issue identified was I have a weakened bladder floor. They wanted me to come in every week for six weeks in conjunction with using a machine at home every night. Similar to Kegel exercises. I just wasn't ready for that addition to my already taxing schedule of doctor appointments and meds.....but I think it would be a good thing for me to do eventually,. I will see what the MS/neurologist says....
Lupancatwoman said:
Next week, I am going to a neurologist who specializes in MS---she only sees patients with MS. Over ten years ago I had a seizure or stroke (?) where I lost my left inner ear and had to learn to walk again. I went through a brain MRI and no lesions were seen, but did not get a lumbar puncture (spinal tap was old term). Had another brain MRI a few years later and it was again negative. But I feel like I have too many symptoms that are more MS than Lupus---for instance urinary incontinence at night. My rheumatologist said I should go to the MS Neurologist even though it is rare to have both diseases and hard to diagnose because they can have similar symptoms. (e.g. Incontinence is linked to MS not lupus---but--being in bed a lot weakens your bladder function). Before I had the stroke or seizure I had been having trouble feeling my feet for at least a year. Still have big problems with balance and walking. Issues have only gotten worse.....
My neurologist is also having me go see an immuneneurologist who specializes in ms even though she doesn't think I have ms. Like you I have issues with balance and walking. My right foot drags a lot of the time. My rheumy believes it is the lupus but my neurologist is not so sure. The meds have helped my brain considerably but the balance and walking still needs to show some improvement. Keep us informed what you find out. My appointment is Tues. with the ms specialist.
You can have both.I believe they are different. I can tell the difference. Mainly, because I spent the last 6 years getting tested I have other things, even hematology issue i.e. leukemia. The lupus started to wake up every genetic medical background. Each time I have a Claire up. I get new diagnoses.I figure if I don't go to the Dr. I won't get more illnesses, just new symptoms. I can deal with symptoms better than a new diagnosis.
There are a lot of differences between MS and Lupus. Yes, MS is progressive but it is different for everyone. It is called a snowflake disease because no two people will experience it in the same way or same level of advancement. There is so many things I want to tell you guys about having both MS and Lupus. Just wrapping your mind around having Lupus or MS alone is quite overwhelming. The term for having both is Lupoid sclerosis. "I have been told by my MS neuro that MS & Lupus can and do co-exist. It is different from mixed connective tissue disease. They "loosely" call it Lupoid Sclerosis. Lupoid sclerosis (LS) is a controversial entity, comprising features of both systemic lupus erythematosus and multiple sclerosis. Diagnostic criteria are a matter of debate, as well as the role of antinuclear and antiphospholipid antibodies. In this review, clinical and laboratory findings of LS available on Pubmed up to date are discussed. http://www.medscape.com/medline/abstract/19826821 ". "Make sure the Multiple Sclerosis part of your diagnosis is correct. There are ischemic MS-like conditions which can occur in Lupus, e.g. cerebral vasculitis, and Hughes syndrome (APS). These ischemic conditions are more treatable than MS, e.g. Hughes Syndrome (APS) is an immune mediated hypercoagulability (causes minute blood clots) and is treated with anti-coagulants (“blood thinner”). If your “MS” was actually “APS” you would miss out on an effective treatment to slow progression. There are blood tests which can identify if you have APS ... http://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/index.php?topic=26094.0 ".
reddog said:
My doctor said having ms and lupus is very rare. From what I understand I will recover (my walking ect). From ms you do not recover but over time get worse. That would be the biggest difference between the two.