Two of my antibody tests came back positive. Not conclusive yet.

5/23/2009 1:03:27 PM

it's never lupus

5/23/2009 1:04:32 PM

Which ones--ANA and RF? Neither of those are specific.

5/23/2009 1:08:12 PM

old folks diseases.

its just a matter of time before bursitis officially sets in my shoulder. the doctor pretty much guaranteed this a couple years ago.

5/23/2009 1:08:18 PM

My fiance's uncle has rheumatoid arthritis, his grandfather had Lupus and my fiance has vitiligo. Seems auto-immune diseases are passed on genetically (not proven, but thought to be) and may manifest themselves differently in different people. His Uncle was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis I believe in his 30s, and if it weren't for knee replacements and wheelchairs, he'd be completely disabled now. But apparently they've come a long way, and may be able to do ankle replacements soon. Not too fun though, when your body decides it hates itself.

5/23/2009 1:52:27 PM

i heard this website advertised on the radio yesterday


http://www.couldihavelupus.gov

5/23/2009 2:55:20 PM

5/23/2009 9:26:28 PM

HIV and HCV antibody tests are pretty sensitive and specific, so yeah...you gonna die

5/23/2009 9:57:13 PM

RA is not fun. I have a close family member with it and they are on disability.

5/23/2009 10:44:47 PM

Quote :

"Seems auto-immune diseases are passed on genetically (not proven, but thought to be) and may manifest themselves differently in different people."

I'd believe it. I've got Type I Diabetes (which is caused by an auto-immune response) and my aunt had it.

We have a family history of it. It'd be great if they come up with some sort of solution for this where, if I can't cure it, at least I could do gene therapy or something and prevent my kids from getting it. I'd do it even if it were fairly painful. Better than anybody in the future having to get this crap.

5/24/2009 3:28:48 AM

They will have a cure soon for such diseases.

soon = 10-20 years

5/24/2009 10:13:18 AM

Well, I'm interested in seeing where all this goes. Nothing severe that I can tell...but I do have chronic joint pain, especially after repeated physical exertion. I've been turning wrenches for years, and I've never gotten conditioned to it...the more I do, the worse it gets. My hands ache like crazy. I also have fairly chronic joint pain in my shoulders and my hips, with flare-ups that, while not debilitating (YET), result in loss of sleep.

Add to that a general feeling of lethargy most of the time, regardless of just how in shape I've been in the past. I'm really looking forward to whatever can be done...this has been going on for almost 15 years. I wonder what kind of success stories there are.

5/26/2009 3:24:42 PM

better get House's opinion

5/26/2009 4:09:33 PM