I have lupus S.L.E. which has caused a rheumatoid arthritis in various joints of my body, knee and elbow replacements were necessary. The latest is my Cervical spine, In February 13 I had Anterior decompression and fusion of 4 vertebrae C7 - C4 and synthetic discs. My C1 - C3 are already showing signs of deterioration, C3 looks like a triangle, I have severe neck and ear pain and my GP is treating me with muscle relaxants and anti inflammatories. My question is; How does lupus attack bone and cause it to disintegrate? Same question for discs I suppose. I ve had bone density tests, no problem there and I ve been told not to take calcium pills, as more calcium would cause more problems. I m an active person but this is slowing me down.
Good evening sir. Well I really doubt the diagnosis of SHE here as SHE never causes joint destruction. It can cause various joint pains and occasional swellings, but never destruction. You may be having an overlap of SHE with Rheumatoid Arthritis, but Rheumatoid Arthritis is the disease which can be very destructive if left uncontrolled. IT can affect your cervical spine, elbows, knees, hands and wrist causing deformities in most. What I will suggest is that you need to start treatment for it. I am not sure if you have taken Methotrexate before, but you need to consider it after consulting your rheumatologist. Also, there are new biological Chat Doctor.