Sunday, January 29, 2012

It's not Lupus, but...

Has it really been two months since my last post?  I really have no idea how time can be passing so quickly...sheesh!  Well, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Happy New Year!

I went back to the dermatologist to review my results with her, and she said I do not have lupus.  All my follow up tests had come back normal.  She did not have any suggestions as to why my other tests were abnormal or why I was losing my hair.  She suggested I use maximum strength Rogaine for men and come back in a few months. 

Uh, no thanks.  I will not be going back to a dermatologist who doesn't even examine my hair, skin, or nails. 

After my last experience with a specialist (i.e., when I was MISdiagnosed with epilepsy), I vowed to always seek a second opinion when it comes to more complex diseases and conditions.  I made an appointment with a rheumatologist recommend by my local Lupus Foundation chapter. 

The good doctor took a very thorough medical history and did a full exam.  He confirmed that I did not have lupus, but he noticed that I had unusual muscle weakness.  He asked if I had ever been to a neurologist for the weakness.  I told him no because I had always assumed it was Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.  He suggested the possibility of a metabolic myopathy. 

Metabolic what?

Sigh.  I often dream of what life would be like if I were normal and healthy and not scheduling medical appointments with specialist after specialist.  Wouldn't that be nice? 

Deciding to follow up on this new possibility, I ended up making an appointment with a neurologist who specializes in neuromuscular diseases (I didn't want to take any chances going to a general neurologist again).  I'll write more about my initial appointment in my next post.