I'm wondering how you tell the difference between Lupus, Sjogren's, and Crohn's.
I'm having a terrible time with my joint pain and extreme tiredness. I know all of these problems can caused the same pain. I've been on Plaquenil for years and other pills for differnt things. I want to go to the doctor next week, if I can get an appt but not sure which to call. Everytime I go to my Rhuemy, he just orders an MRI or xrays. Says I shouldn't take prednisone due to Coumadin. He gave me a shot in the hip last year which didnt do anything except hurt.
I’ve been dismissed with lupus, fibromyalgia and sjogrens. A past sister in law of mine had crohns. The major difference in lupus and sjogrens is lupus can effect the joints, organs and it make you really tired and flu like symptoms. Sjogrens causes dryness in your mouth, eyes and skin and can cause other issues. It seems they get lumped together a lot along with raynaulds which is cold hands and feet among other things. Crohns is mostly in your abdomen with pain, swelling and inflammation. How they helps some. Welcome to the group!
All auto-immune diseases overlap to some degree, I have SLE and Sjogrens, my mom has Crest Syndrome and Sjogrens. The treatments that work for Lupus usually help Sjogrens as cause is very similar. Main difference is you treat Sjogrens symptomatically. I take Restasis for dry eyes and Evoxac for dry mouth…you get the idea. Chrons is digestive only and has similar treatments to SLE. Welcome to the group!
Thank you Nicki and Angelwing. I have read (online) where lupus can affect your digestive system too. I have lots of joint pain, knees, hips and elbows. Just feel like I have the flu. seems like the plaquenil just doest help anymore. And the worse part is that it wakes me up at night because they ache so bad. I too have Raynaulds. I go from ice cold to burning hot especally with my feet.
I also take restasis too. I'm just so frustrated with me. Want to scream!