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Real members of MyLupusTeam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.
A MyLupusTeam Member asked a question 💭
Lake Worth, FL

Hi everyone, I'm new to the site. Just diagnosed this month with Lupus. Brief background: suffered 5 miscarriages for "unknown" reasons, have had on and off again joint pain and swelling, most recently had all over my body joint pain and swelling and had to go on prednisone. Feeling better now but still having hands, toes and my knee swelling. Rheumatologist did blood work with elevated ANA, elevated Igm and low C3 and indeterminate dsDNA, I believe. She also said I tested positive for… read more

March 28, 2018
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A MyLupusTeam Member

I am so sorry to hear about your miscarriages. If you have one of the lupus clotting factors, antiphospholipid syndrome with lupus anticoagulant and/or anti cardio lipin, that can cause blood clots which then result in miscarriages. Not everyone has this problem but you should ask to be tested. Even after I was diagnosed in 2003, no one tested for antiphospholid syndrome until I had a pulmonary embolism! This is relatively rare but it does happen and you should request blood testing.

Antiphospholipid antibodies are present in 15 - 20% of all cases of deep vein thrombosis (blood clots) and in one-third of new strokes occurring in people under the age of 50.
Antiphospholipid antibodies are a major cause of recurrent miscarriages and pregnancy complications when no other causes are found. Read more here https://www.rheumatology.org/I-Am-A/Patient-Car...

If you are having a problem getting a diagnosis, ask for the AVISE test for lupus. Only one lab in the country does this testing. You draw blood here and it is shipped there. Your doctor may not know about it. That doesn't matter. Ask anyway. You are a consumer of health care. You are paying for a service. Most people ask more questions and have more requests for their car mechanics than they do their health. The doctor is not treating you out of the goodness of his or hear heart. They are being paid handsomely. Here is a link to the lab that does this test https://www.exagen.com/products/avise-lupus/

All the best,
Linda

September 22, 2018

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