my name is Mary, I remember in Dec of 96, I had this terrible virus, I couldn't keep anything down it was a few days til new years. I was so out of it. It went on thru new years. Then in March I broke out with a rash in my hair,on right side of face,left arm,and inside of right leg just below knee. It itched like fire. I first thought it was just some kind of allergy. So I went to Pharmacy an bought a sack full of creams to make it quit itching. I went to 2 different dr's and researched info on line til I just knew what I had . So finally I went to 1 more Dr and told him what I thought it to be. And he agreed. So he then cut a piece of my skin off where the rash was and took some blood . In a few days he called with results. I had Lupus. I had both kinds. So I researched more. Dr put me on predisone, mobic, tagamet. I now am on predisone, meloxacam, nueronton, amitriptylne, and tramadol for pain. Lately I have had a lot of pain in my hands. It was my feet they felt like the tops were on fire. So Dr said I had nueropathy, so he put me on nueronton. I now have labs every 3 months to see my progress or to see if my lupus is in remission. I had labs over a week ago ,nurse called on thursday for me to come in for my lab results. so something is up. Anyway I hope you get diagnosed soon so you will know for sure. I believe amitriptylne is for my depression.
The mood swings can be a result of the steriod injection you received for the rash. I was diagonotised with skin lupus first! I have a rare form of skin lupus it is called “tumid lupus”. The only way to make sure the rash is lupus is to have a biopsy of it. They need to determine the type of skin lupus it is! The only skin rash that is itchy is Tumid lupus! It will not leave a scar on your skin. With my rash my skin will become itchy first. I am usually very tried just be for the break out. The area inwichich I break out will become very sore and hurt with muscle pain. I also have join pain as well.
You will need to stay out of the sun because sun exspoure will cause the rash to break out. At first my rash would come and go. Now I have a chronic rash on my chest all the time. The only type of lupus skin rash that is on the trunk of the body is Tumid. The other types of skin lupus are on the Extremities. The next time the rash is present please go to the dermatologist and request it be biopsied. I take medrol (steriods) does pack and use topical steriod creams that the dermatologist prescribes for me. I use one type for my body and another type for my face.
I have pictures posted of my rash on my page so you can go and check them out and see if your rash looks like mine.
The most important thing is to get the rash diagonsied. I have had a rash on my body off and on since I was 17 years old. It took me demanding a biospy at the age of 49 to get it dianogised. This my help you to get the SLE diagonosied as well. I have negative blood work for SLE, but I have been diagonsied because I fall into the SLE criteria.
Your welcome from us all that's what we're here for to help one another best as possible...i am sorry you can't find a rheumo to take you with the issues you have going on.
I am pleased your feeling better off the meds but the steriods are your mood swings and you usually know when a rash or flare is occuring with the skin...you get mild itching or burning to the skin and before you know it the rash/flare as appeared.
Please try and stay positive as worrying about another happening won't help you.