Is there anyone who could help me with some advice or info about lupus while I am waiting for my diagnosis? I gave my blood and urine to get diagnosed of possible lupus and I am pretty upset while waiting for my diagnosis. My question is what I can expect and why I needed to have urine test also?
Hello! I live with lupus for years now and it’s not comfortable but you’ll learn how to deal with it in case you get diagnosed with lupus. This urine test is necessary for it would show the possible protein loss which is one of the certain signs of kidney disease and kidneys are one of the most organic diseases related to lupus. That’s how I was diagnosed with lupus my urine test was positive on lupus as well as ANA which is a screening test for lupus but in many cases the ANA test is irrelevant for it may turn positive in people that doesn’t have lupus at all but in whom some other factors caused the ANA to be positive. And I would recommend that while waiting for your diagnoses you reconsider the fact about having lupus and these flare you’re certainly going to have. Flares are the periods in which lupus symptoms are strongly manifested and are followed by fever and constant fatigue that may last for some short period of time after the flare is treated. And than your hands and feet might swell you might have the pain in your joints and you may have rash on your chest and cheeks. You might also be facing hair loss in scalp area but it will grow again after flare ends. And still while waiting for your diagnosis you might start thinking of how to change your entire lifestyle in order to keep lupus under control. For the beginning it would be useful to avoid junkie food and drinking alcohol and coffee. Try to have rest after any hard work avoid stress for it also may provoke you flares and keep in mind that you might reduce stress by doing some light exercises but without much pressure on your joints and muscles.