[jenniepepsi]

I have a friend, who has been asking around about her symptoms that she says she has. I personally think she is overthnking things a lot, seeing what's not there, etc.

BUT I'm not a doctor. And I told her I would ask for her.


Here is her email to me.

IBS - August 2000

UTI's, kidney infections and kidney stones - Started October 2006

ER Visit in Ewa Beach, Hawaii found kidney stone

Every 3 to 5 months I am told what I going threw is UTI's or Kidney infection

ER Visit in Oxnard, CA found a 3mm kidney stone - August 31st, 2009

Body soreness Started October 2006 - present

Fatigue - October 2006 - present

Sinus infection and eye infection April 10th threw 20th of 2007

Large mass in left breast - October 2008

Found threw a mammogram and fallowed up with ultra sound deemed normal

Infection around heart - December 29th, 2008

Found via CT

Cyst on ovaries one popped - February 2009

Found via CT

Hair falling out - July 2009

Vomiting and lose stool - August 2009 - present

Pain under lower right rib - September 2009 - present

Odd looking rash on right elbow September 2009 - present

Right kidney enlarged - Found on September 21st, 2009 - present

Found on CT taken August 31st, 2009

Inflamed colon and stomach - Found on September 24th, 2009 - present

Found via upper and lower GI tests

Ruled out Gallbladder on September 1st, 2009

Weight Loss sense February I was 190 and as of yesterday I am 173 but on September 21st I was 176 so losing weight even faster.

[Wondergirl]

Is she taking prescribed meds for any of this?

[artlady]

Many of these descriptions make little sense from a medical perspective.
I am a medical asst.dropout out but I learned some things.
Since many problems seem to be renal related,I would suggest that she ask her primary doctor to give her a referral to a urologist.

Often ,when you take care of one major issue,everything else falls into place.

Hope you are well Jennie :)

[jenniepepsi]

I'm good arty thank you :) *hugs*

I forgot to add that the doctors have been testing and testing and can't find the cause of anything from what she says.

This is from her about the meds

Was on no meds till yesterday when they put me on 40mg of Nexium and 10mg of Reglan which is suppta be for tummy up set and I most take 20mins before a meal but not allowed to sleep or lay down for 3 hours after eating

[artlady]

im good arty thank you :) *hugs*

i forgot to add that the doctors have been testing and testing and can't find the cause of anything from what she says.

this is from her about the meds

What are they testing for?
They must be concentrating their efforts in one direction.
They must have some area that they are cornering in on.
This stuff is all over the place.

[KISS]

I agree, referral to a urologist.

[jenniepepsi]

They are focused on her kidneys right now. But the tests keep coming back fine.

She hasn't been writing to me yet so ill keep you posted.

[KISS]

Maybe not kidneys. Focus on the hairs: Hair loss in systemic disease. [Dermatol Clin. 1987] - PubMed Result

Alopecia: Hair Disorders: Merck Manual Home Edition

Lupus may fit

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE): Autoimmune Disorders of Connective Tissue: Merck Manual Home Edition

[artlady]

Maybe not kidneys. Focus on the hairs: Hair loss in systemic disease. [Dermatol Clin. 1987] - PubMed Result

Alopecia: Hair Disorders: Merck Manual Home Edition

Lupus may fit

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE): Autoimmune Disorders of Connective Tissue: Merck Manual Home Edition

Losing hair is symptomatic of bigger issues,It's a symptom,more often than not.
The numerous diagnosis that involve hair loss are vast.
You don't start there.
It is very dangerous to assume anything in regards to medical treatment unless you have some medical knowledge.
Refrain from giving medical advice unless you are sure it is accurate.
Why are you saying lupus?
What symptoms indicate lupus?
None!
Please tell people to seek out a doctor and don't rely on a person who has NO medical knowledge to help you.

[KISS]

You want the references: (From the Merck manual)

Skin and Mucous Membrane Problems: Skin rashes include a butterfly-like redness across the nose and cheeks (malar butterfly rash); raised bumps or patches of thin skin; and red, flat or raised areas on the face and sun-exposed areas of the neck, upper chest, and elbows. Blisters and skin ulcers are rare, although ulcers do commonly occur on mucous membranes, particularly on the roof of the mouth, on the inside of the cheeks, on the gums, and inside the nose. Generalized or patchy loss of hair (alopecia) is common during flare-ups. Mottled red areas on the sides of the palms and up the fingers; redness and swelling around the nails; and flat, reddish purple blotches between the knuckles on the inner surfaces of the fingers also may occur. Purplish spots (petechiae) may occur because of bleeding in the skin as a result of low platelet levels in the blood. Sensitivity to sunlight (photosensitivity) occurs in most people with lupus, particularly fair-skinned people.

Heart Problems: People with lupus may have chest pain due to inflammation of the sac around the heart (pericarditis). More serious but rare effects on the heart are inflammation of the walls of the coronary arteries (coronary artery vasculitis), which can lead to angina (see Coronary Artery Disease: Angina), and inflammation of the heart muscle with scarring (fibrosing myocarditis), which can lead to heart failure (see Heart Failure). The valves of the heart can rarely be involved and may need to be surgically repaired. People are at increased risk of coronary artery disease.

Lymph Node and Spleen Problems: Wide-spread enlargement of the lymph nodes is common, particularly among children, young adults, and blacks of all ages. Enlargement of the spleen (splenomegaly) occurs in about 10% of people. People may experience nausea, diarrhea, and vague abdominal discomfort. The occurrence of these symptoms may be the forewarning of a flare-up.

Kidney Problems: Kidney involvement may be minor and without symptoms or may be relentlessly progressive and fatal. The most common result of this impairment is protein in the urine that leads to swelling (edema) in the legs.

That's a pretty good hit rate. Whatever the disease is, it's systemic. I did not give a diagnosis, I said it might fit and gave references as to why.

The dx must come from these:

Characteristics of Lupus

At least four of the following symptoms are usually present for a diagnosis to be made:

*
Red, butterfly-shaped rash on the face, affecting the cheeks
*
Typical skin rash on other parts of the body
*
Sensitivity to sunlight (for example, rash or persistent burn)
*
Sensitivity to sunlight (for example, rash or persistent burn)
*
Mouth sores
*
Joint inflammation (arthritis)
*
Fluid around the lungs, heart, or other organs (serositis)
*
Kidney dysfunction
*
Low white blood cell count, low red blood cell count, or low platelet count
*
Nerve or brain dysfunction
*
Positive results of a blood test for antinuclear antibodies
*
Positive results of a blood test for antibodies to double-stranded DNA, to phospholipids, or smith antibody

2 more to go.

Take a look here, too: http://www.lupus.org/webmodules/weba...239&zoneid=524


The masses or cysts are not explained but nearly everything else may be. Your correct an dx cannot be determined. The person asked for insight, not a diagnosis. Sorry, can't give diagnosis, but I can give insight.

That is:
It's likely systemic because of hair loss.
It's seems to be attacking everything, so it's probably an autoimune disease.

It needs to be properly diagnosed ASAP. It MAY not be cureable. Note the emphasis on MAY.