why one blood test showed 3 problems

lavenderlady

I already have and had OA for years having had toe surgery and a TWR but a swollen parotid gland in my neck caused a few raised eyebrows so had scans biopsy's etc cleared for cancer but my blood test showed positive for RA Lupus and Sjorgren's so now being diagnosed with these 3 problems along with other health problems, type 2 diabetes, under active thyroid, stomach erosions etc is hard to accept, has anyone else had swollen glands ( which hurt when swallowing or touched) its still swollen despite 8 weeks of methotrexate, but it has answered so many other smaller health niggles like dry mouth sore eyes tiredness so many joint and muscle pains, mouth ulcers feeling hot and having a high tempreture not coping with heat/hot weather, constant Anemia
I am finding it hard to walk far as my knee and ankle are so painful my left elbow is agony and I cannot straighten it, the hell I am living now is hard work and I know its only going to get worse I'm 52 yet feel 82, my Gp feels so sorry for me, has anyone else got these problems? I used to be on here a lot a while ago but feeling so rough you will excuse me for not posting until now so glad to be back now

Toots

Hi Lavender
I'm afraid I won't be of much help as I'm new to all this myself, but I didn't want to read and run. I'm sure someone more helpful will be along soon. In the meantime, if I may .... hugs x

stickywicket

Hello lavenderlady. It's nice to see you again but I'm sorry things are so bad. I have RA, and consequent OA (and the stomach problems caused by NSAIDS), but I've no experience of Lupus, Sjorgren's, diabetes or thyroid problems. You seem to have been singularly unlucky and that must be tough.

Is the methotrexate supposed to help your swollen glands? I didn't know that. I'm glad it seems to be helping in other areas. Two months is not a long time to be on it so maybe it will help more as the weeks go on. Maybe, too, if you are tolerating it well, the dose can be upped to help you cope better. I hope so.

villier

Hi

I am so sorry to hear you are feeling so rubbish at the moment and no wonder with all that you have going on.

I can sympathise as I am still getting tested for Sjogrens and my GP thought I had Lupus a while ago I have OA and am lucky I don't have RA or the like but I have an autoimmune neurological condition so know what living with chronic pain is like.

I am not familiar with methotrexate but am wondering if it has not properly kicked in yet, just by what I have read in the past. I am sorry I have not been more informative hopefully there will be others around to help, hope you feel a bit better soon................tc..................Marie x

Boomer13

Hi;

Sorry to hear you are struggling. I don't think I can help much as my problems did not lead to a diagnosis other than 'autoimmune phenomena'. I had swollen, sore glands under my jaw, in my neck and the worst one was under my arm. They came and went for the past three years, and were definitely worse when my PsA started three years ago. Doctors thought I may have lupus or sjogrens but I've been negative for these. I still get one in my neck now and then, but mostly the other glands have settled down. If I get a virus this problem is triggered badly again.

I have a chronic anemia even though my iron stores are good. Apparently you can develop "anemia of chronic disease" which I believe is related to chronic inflammation. Best case scenario is the methotrexate will calm down your inflammation systemically and all of these extra symptoms will settle down too. The lymph nodes can be very painful can't they?

I've had mouth ulcers/blisters too but mine were there before starting methotrexate. If yours are new, they could be side effect of mtx.

You may not get the maximum benefit of methotrexate until six months or so. My rheum said they look for 15-20% improvement by the third month. It's very difficult waiting and waiting.

sympathies to you, feel better soon.
anna

frogmorton

Poor old you Lavendarlady!!

Lovey to see you name, but not to hear how you have been :?

They have hit you with a lot all at once haven't they? Mind best to know and get help for it all.

My bro has an overactive thyroid and his glands in his throat feel swollen if that helps???

You didn't say which glands.....that's all. Ah but when I had glandular fever I found them everywhere! Armpits groin etc etc

I hope that with appropriate treatment you will start to feel a bit better

Love and ((()))

Toni xxx