CPAP and autoimmune disorders (O/T?)

Hi Dori! I'd rather have rosacea than lupus any day! I'll check out Paul's post, thanks.

The symptoms you are describing and very similar to what I experience with ulcerative colitis. When I have a UC flare some of the symptoms are diarrhea, bloating, stomach pain, joint pain and swelling, extreme tiredness, and my rosacea (sp) flares at the same time most of the time.
If these flares are happening often and you are having more diarrhea then you think would be normal it might be worth asking for a colonoscpy us to make sure everything is functioning normal.
Try googling ulcerative colitis and see if that sounds anything like what you are experiencing.

I hope you feel better soon.
Enjoy the new baby.

I've been womdering if it's UC or crohns for some time and not just IBS. I don't have blood after having a BM though. I'll check with my doctor about that.

Well, sorry to say this but I don't trust any diagnosis of IBS, it's only supposed to be diagnosed when they can't find any other cause of your symptoms. A bit like "chronic fatigue syndrome". IBS is also a "syndrome". It's often misdiagnosed instead of Crohn's or UC, supposedly.

I had the same as fiberfan, tested negative to all the skin pricks. I've never looked into the IgE testing and the rest. You might indeed want to try the Elimination Diet, starting with the usual suspects first.

You're right Echo. It's a diagnosis of elimination when testing doesn't show anything else. Several years ago when Mike began to limp terribly we went to a Rheumatologist who decided he had Polymyalgia Rheumatica, one of the autoimmune diseases. He put him on high doses of Prednisone which had it's own complications. Our Primary never believed that diagnosis because he wasn't fitting the usual profile, and carefully weaned him off the Prednisone. A few months later Mike had his first hip abscess and surgery which had been brewing all along and causing the limping. Of course I can't blame the Rheum, the shrapnel hadn't been a problem for 50years and wasn't part of his recent medical history.

UPDATE

Just got my recent blood test results back and my presumption of an autoimmune disorder might be correct after all.

• hs-CRP = 3.3
• Vitamin D, 25-Hydroxy = 14 ng/mL (D3 = 14; D2 = <4) - Vitamin D went down from 22 after taking 2,000 IU/day since March 2011?
• ANA Screen, IFA = POSITIVE
• ANA Pattern = Homogeneous
• ANA Titer = 1:80
• HDL = 37 (down from 43 in March 2011; not exercising as much due to pain)

RF (Rheumatoid Factor) = 4, which is well within range (<14).

Everything else is great. Not diabetic, total chol., trigs. and LDL are well within normal limits as was everything on my complete metabolic panel. Going to talk to my physician today (love her!) to get referred to a rheumatologist. Office staff told she wants me to do more exercise and take an Omega-3 supplement. I can't digest fish oil (no gallbladder, too fatty) so I might try krill oil.

Thoughts? Comments? Suggestions?

thud wrote:Although your ana is low its still positive. 20% of the US population has an autoimmune disease. There are over 80 autoimmune diseases. Finding the one you have, and believe me you don't usually get just one they like to gang up on you, can take a long time. The reason I had a sleep study and now using a CPAP for 7 weeks was because of extreme fatigue, tired all the time etc. I don't feel any difference since being on the CPAP machine. I have Systemic Lupus, Sub Acute Cutaneous Lupus and Sjogren's Disease. All autoimmune diseases. I've had symptoms for several years but really got photosenstive rash from the sun 20 months ago and prompted me to seek a dermatologist and rheumatologist. Its so weird cuz these AI disease are hard to diagnose. You might have a diagnosis from one doctor, then see a second one who has a totally different opinion. Usually when rheumatologists are uncertain as to what AI's you have they group you as MCTD(mixed connnective tissue disease). Oh, and I am 62yo male. Only 10% of Lupus and Sjogren's sufferers are male. The thing for you is to keep an eye on things and if you have seen a rheumatologist you might consider it. I know people who its taken over 10 years to get a solid diagnosis of Lupus and such. In hindsight I believe I've had Lupus and Sjogren's symptoms for about 5-6 years. As mentioned, I still am very fatigues and tired/exhausted all the time. I kind of conclude that these symptoms are due to my AI diseases which are classic symptoms. I am still glad I am on CPAP though because sleep study showed severe OSA. OSA under very good control on CPAP. Good luck and take care.

Do you they have you on any medication? Does it help at all? I'm having trouble meeting daily family duties because of all my symptoms. I've never seen a rheumatologist, but I'm going to request a referral to one. My symptoms started after the death of my first son, Andrew (preemie), and I've heard that intense stress can trigger an AI disorder.

I'm not sleeping as well as I had the first year on CPAP. My numbers are still good, but my HI tends to be higher and I just don't feel as rested.

Thanks, thud.

tattooyu wrote: Do you they have you on any medication? Does it help at all? I'm having trouble meeting daily family duties because of all my symptoms. I've never seen a rheumatologist, but I'm going to request a referral to one. My symptoms started after the death of my first son, Andrew (preemie), and I've heard that intense stress can trigger an AI disorder.

I'm not sleeping as well as I had the first year on CPAP. My numbers are still good, but my HI tends to be higher and I just don't feel as rested.

Thanks, thud.

You seem to be going after your health issues with big guns but what are you doing about stress? You've have stress related to Andrew, CPAP and other health issues. Having a newborn is additional responsibility and stress related as well.

I've experienced work related stress and aniexty this year and decided to address it with some guided meditations. I purchased a zero gravity chair for my office and for 30-40 mins on my lunch break i listen to some of andrew johnsons recording on my iphone (they are apps relaxation, anxiety, move on, release pain, stress free etc)

see his web page here

http://www.withandrewjohnson.com/recordings/

I also found breathing exercises can help, checkout "Breathing the master key to self healing" - Andrew Weil. I downloaded the audiobook and practice the exercises on lunch breaks too.

Just some suggestions Good luck
UB

Hey, Bob! Nice to see you on here!

Honestly, I have made little time for stress management, except the weekends. However, I have been thinking lately about resuming my meditation and breathing exercises, sacrificing any leisure activities to accomplish that and more exercise (as tolerated).

thud wrote:For my AI problems I take Plaquenil(anti-malarial), Prednisone(steroid),Vicodin(pain/muscle aches), Restasis(Dry Eye Sicca Syndrome), Evoxac(Dry mouth sicca syndrome). I've been lucky thusfar because these diseases can lead to chemotherapy and infusions and some other very powerful medicines.

Anti-malaria?

Are you saying that there is an increased risk of cancer and anemia?

Just talked with my regular physician. She's a little concerned about the hs-CRP test being high but isn't putting too much credence into it just yet. She doesn't feel other cardiac tests are necessary.

However, she is referring me to a rheumatologist for the positive ANA titer. Wish me luck.

tattooyu wrote:
Anti-malaria?

Are you saying that there is an increased risk of cancer and anemia?

Anti-malarial drugs are the first line of defense for lupus, sjogren's syndrome. During their use to treat malaria it was discovered that they are effective treatment for lupus symptoms. They can reduce fatigue, muscle aches and many other symptoms. I don't think lupus is a risk for cancer but sjogren's syndrome, in about 10% of the people affected, can get lympoma (cancer in the lymphatic cells). You have a nice day and best of luck and health to you.

Thanks again, Thud.