My mom is 56, tested positive for anemia 6 months ago, suffers sever joint pains, swollen hands and feet, shortness of breath, chest pains, had hair loss (seems ok now), nausea. She had redish rash all over body that comes and goes. She was tested positive for lupus anticog. and last nights test reveals inflammation of lungs/lining...to date doctors have only prescibed pain killers.....a rheumatologist saw her and gave 8 wk appt date...other doctors say she might have infection...am not sure if she has lupus, unknown infection? what else needs to be done for her to get treatment? what can be given to help with anemia?
Good evening. Well the first thing I will say is that is unlikely an infection if it has been going on for 6 months. It looks like an autoimmune problem, as you rightly said lupus with symptoms of fever joint pains, hair loss and the rash. Lupus can cause inflammation in the lungs also if left uncontrolled. Anemia in lupus can be due to the breakdown of the red blood cells(hemolytic). What you need to do is to control the disease and the rest of the parameters will improve. She many need steroids for a while along with other medication which your rheumatologist will prescribe. It will be better if he can the patient early. Hope the information was useful