Family medical history...pieces of a puzzle

[luvwinnie]

For any of you who might recall, I've been experiencing symptoms that could be an autoimmune problem, maybe lupus, and not having any luck with doctors. Many people take YEARS to get properly diagnosed. Finding out more about my family's medical history.


I found out that it seems my great-grandmother had rheumatoid arthritis...but never diagnosed back then I think. Her hands were bent at the wrists and completely twisted and swollen. My mom's hands are very similar and she was only told she had OSTEOarthritis. I want her tested again. Also, my grandmother had polymyalgia rheumatica, ANOTHER autoimmune problem.

Rheumatic fever is also an autoimmune disease and both my mom and brother had it.

 

[luvwinnie]

for anyone with autoimmune disorders in their family

 

[Kermit]

My family does. I just got back from the internist, in fact. (As I posted on another tread, he said my toes don't have enough wrinkles. ) My sister has lupus. She was just diagnosed a few months ago. We've always known she had some autoimmune disorder, but she didn't have any symptoms that would clearly indicate which one. They slowly ruled all the other ones out, then she got a rash that was an almost definite lupus indictor.

The doctor thinks that I may have schleroderma (sp?), and I agree. In fact, I've thought that for a while and just didn't feel like getting diagnosed. There's nothing they can give to cure it or slow it down, so I figured I didn't want to know. But my OB wants to make sure I'm not going to have any complications with my pregnancy, so he sent me to the internist. I had a bunch of blood taken today. He said he'd call me if something was really bad; otherwise, he'll see me in a month. I also have to see a cardiologist in the meantime, but I don't think that's for an autoimmune problem. I have a heart murmur that's apparently in the wrong place.

It is good to know your family history with this kind of stuff. None of my doctors ever took my Raynaud's seriously (it's a circulatory problem) until my sister was diagnosed with lupus. Raynaud's is also a possible autoimmune disorder symptom, and all of sudden people cared that I was losing circulation to my fingers.

 

[luvwinnie]

I sure hope everything is ok....have you looked at the Autoimmune Association Web site?

 

[nativetxn]

Knowing your family history can sure help in figuring out medical mysteries. Hope your doctor can make good use of this information luvwinnie.

Kermit, I hope you are alright and don't have scleraderma.