Do you lupies have tendon problems?

Hi all,

No diagnosis as yet but been told after an ultrasound that I have inflammation in the achilles tendon which "should not be there and not due to wear and tear".

Has anyone had the same?

Thanks

Post Edited (VLou*) : 3/29/2016 11:05:20 AM (GMT-6)

Inflammation that "should not be there"? That makes no sense at all, it is so easy to twist an ankle, stress an ankle, have a tight knee or hip, etc, all things that might cause inflammation in the Achilles tendon!! That might be a reasonable comment for other body parts, but as someone with chronic Achilles issues, totally apart from my Lupus, I find it bizarre.

If you are "under surveillance" for a possible Lupus diagnosis, they will be watching the inflammation markers in your blood. We often have higher inflammation due to the Lupus (the over-active autoimmune system) attacking something that is acting perfectly normally. That is, instead of attacking a germ or a disease, the Lupus causes an attack on perfectly normal organs and tissues.

Does this sometimes result in sore/inflammed muscle, tendons, joints, etc? Yes!

Note that Lupus is NOT DIAGNOSED BY BLOOD TESTS.

Lupus is diagnosed by having at least 4 of 11 symptoms. Blood tests count for only one of these. Check out the link below, Diagnosing Lupus.

Are you seeing a rheumatologist, and is he asking about these symptoms?

You may need to see another rheumy for a second opinion.

One way I often suggest to find one knowledgeable about, and interested in, Lupus is this:

Visit www.lupus.org. Find the page about local chapters of the organization. Find the local chapter in your area and contact it. Ask about the Drs who serve on the local advisory board. These are the Drs in your area who are most interested in helping Lupus patients.

I've had my rheumy appointment today. Told me my second anticoagulant rest was negative so asked me to have it done again. It all got a bit too much and I got upset telling her that it's impacting my life in all aspects and that I need medication. She said that she can't diagnose me as there is not enough evidence but has put me on hydroxychloroquine. I asked if she has diagnosed anyone with lupus without evidence in blood work and she said yes, so I asked what made her diagnose these people and she wouldn't tell me as she said it wouldn't help me! She's referring me to a hematologist and a lupus specialist.

Had enough now.

Thanks Lynnwood.

Yeah I've been told it can take that long. Will have to pick it up tomorrow as I didn't have time to wait and I felt so rough today.

Can't believe it's MORE waiting again....it's been going on and on....

She was so black and white and wasn't giving me any clues as to what she thought at all. Although she was very patient with my blubbing and questions! Surely if she didn't think I had lupus she wouldn't put me on that medication?!?!

What's a lupus specialist?

I Went to rheumy and I had all test positive for lupus and Fibro yet he was never giving me meds .

Ultimately after so much gave me prednisone and planquenil.
On and off.Kept me on GABA pen tin for months ...
When I ask ...he says no solution for lupus just keep coming to me forever.
I can't see doc anymore and lost insurance .This doc turned against me now won't return my calls .
As can't make money through me as no insurance.Thats highly unprofessional as I will get insurance soon and find new doc.
But my question is if they have no cure why they call you every 3 months?
It's very difficult ......

Cilly, it's to monitor you, because lupus is unpredictable.

Pbesides the fluoroquinolines causing tendon problems, Achilles tendonitis can be a sign of Ankylosing Spondylitis especially if you have other joint issues.