My rheumatologist doesnt think my dizzy spells, severe fatigue and brain fog are related to my lupus/sjogrens overlap syndrome

General
1

I have lupus/sjogrens but he doesn't think that is causing those symptoms. I'll now be seeing a neurologist. Can't lupus/sjogrens causes those symptoms though? I can't imagine having the chance of some other random disease but maybe it's another autoimmune disease? It's all so confusing.

2

I have severe fatigue all the time. The fatigue is still there even when I don't have any other symptoms of being in a flare up and I have SLE. Also, my ITP (low platelets) is also a constant. My last flare up ended with the removal of my gallbladder. As far as dizzy spells, do you have a heart murmur at all? Irregular heart beats, which cardiac involvement with lupus is NOT uncommon at all, can cause dizzy spells. And lupus can cause depression symptoms, which can be described by people as "fog" or a cloud of impending doom. When I go through depression and get put on medication, I feel as if the fog has been lifted from me and I can see everything clearly. I haven't been on any antidepressants in over 2 years now because my depression comes on for 6 months to a year and then I'm fine for a while.

I hope you find the answers you're looking for with the neurologist.

3

wow…don’t know what to say. I’ve experienved everything you have plus more. My doc basically said we can’t blame lupus on everything…yet I know that docs don’t understand it all. funny thing…once I started on plaquenil, ALL my symptoms seemed o clear up. No dizziness/vertigo, fatigue, heart palpitations, etc., etc., etc.

4

Hi

Expect almost anything with Lupus. I feel a little better since my potassium is back where it should be. My dr keeps close watch on my CBC potassium, BP, and cholesterol.

There's another issue. I'll be typing along and I can't remember how to spell a simple. Do you have that problem?\Does anyone???

Cindy

5

Wow i have dizzy spells, aphasia and also forget how to spell simple words like Cindy. I never had issues with spelling. Also deal with Fatigue, depression, rapid heart beat over 110 bpm though blood pressure is fine. Dry eyes, mouth, Bad headaches and rhinitis. I was told the same, dont blame it all on lupus.

6

I have had brain fog and burred vision, but since I have been on hydrxyclorequine, I have not had any episodes of that. Dizzy spells can also be caused by low blood pressure, and blood sugar problems can cause both dizzy spells and brain fog.

7

I too had brain fog,I could not remember simple words,but that cleared up once I was on the Imuran and prendisone. I hope they figure it out for you.

8

My doctors thought it was related to low blood sugar bt I would test by glucose levels and they would be normal. The eye doctor said the blurred vision was not from the eyes, that tested out great. This has just cleared up after taking the anti-malarial drugs for 4 onths.

9

Here is a good article to take to your next appointment! Lupus Fog…
http://www.webmd.com/lupus/d2n-coping-with-lupus-11/lupus-fog-memory-problems

10

I have been suffering from dizziness, brain fog etc... for the last few years. My rheumy has told me the same thing a number of times. Not related to my lupus or sjogrens.. I've had MRI's and CT's of the brain. Seen neuro and ENT. Had a battery of balance tests..etc.... No answers. So I have resigned myself to the intermittent dizziness, fog ...

11

Here is another good article on Lupus brain fog:
http://jenlynn401.wordpress.com/2010/10/07/brain-fog-and-lupus/

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prtyblk1 said:

I have been suffering from dizziness, brain fog etc... for the last few years. My rheumy has told me the same thing a number of times. Not related to my lupus or sjogrens.. I've had MRI's and CT's of the brain. Seen neuro and ENT. Had a battery of balance tests..etc.... No answers. So I have resigned myself to the intermittent dizziness, fog ...

Here is a article for you too!
http://www.sjogrensworld.org/brain_fog.htm

13

Here is a Government site that mentions dizziness as a less common symptom of Lupus
http://niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Lupus/lupus_ff.asp

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Thanks so much, I am going to print the articles and take them with me to my next visit.
Jon_sparky said:

Here is a Government site that mentions dizziness as a less common symptom of Lupus
http://niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Lupus/lupus_ff.asp
15

Brain gig and fatigue are classic lupus symptoms!

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http://www.lupus.org/answers/entry/common-symptoms-of-lupus

17

It has been interesting to read everyone's comments on dizziness. My wife has had so many symptoms over the years, and that was definitely one of them. She actually had all that Lilac83 had mentioned, and more. While I am not a doctor, I have done a lot of study on this to be aware of how my wife's Lupus is affecting her, and I have a very straightforward thought on this. Lupus is a disease of inflammation. Dizziness is a function of an issue with the fluid in the inner ear. I see absolutely no reason why a localized inflammation would not cause an issue with the fluid in the inner ear, especially when in review of many of the comments above that the condition subsided with the use of anti-inflammatory medications.

18

Have you checked your blood pressure?When ever I feel like that I check my blood pressure and it will probably be low.The only way I can bring it up is by eating something with lots of salt.

19

Haha

Thanks for all of the articles Jon sparky!!! :) I will definitely read them all!

Jon_sparky said:

Here is a Government site that mentions dizziness as a less common symptom of Lupus
http://niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Lupus/lupus_ff.asp
20

Yes, I agree. Inflammation somewhere in the body (yes, maybe inner ear?) whether or not lupus or sjogrens, it's autoimmune in general so it all ties in.

Lupus Husband said:

It has been interesting to read everyone's comments on dizziness. My wife has had so many symptoms over the years, and that was definitely one of them. She actually had all that Lilac83 had mentioned, and more. While I am not a doctor, I have done a lot of study on this to be aware of how my wife's Lupus is affecting her, and I have a very straightforward thought on this. Lupus is a disease of inflammation. Dizziness is a function of an issue with the fluid in the inner ear. I see absolutely no reason why a localized inflammation would not cause an issue with the fluid in the inner ear, especially when in review of many of the comments above that the condition subsided with the use of anti-inflammatory medications.