Lupus?

[Snowdrift]

I'm sorry, I'm sure I'm over-posting here, but...

I keep seeing lupus referred to as an MS mimic--but everything I read about lupus seems to include a pretty short and specific list of symptoms. None of them match up with mine. (Except I had had some random bouts of fever, once for a couple hours every couple of days for a few weeks; I figured it was sinus inflammation or similar).

Can someone explain how lupus is experienced in a way that could be mistaken for MS? Seems like the hallmarks of lupus are rash, fever, and joint pain.

[Seasha]

Good question, Snowdrift

Many years ago, doctors thought I had lupus due to a positive ANA ( Antinuclear antibody) blood test. But some people with MS can also have a positive ANA test, and as in my case, it was a misdiagnosis. Also, sometimes the rash, fever and joint pain don't always present right away with lupus.

They both are autoimmune diseases and one can have relapses and remissions with both, but lupus is associated with the PNS (peripheral nervous system) whereas MS is of the CNS (central nervous system)

Here are a couple articles that may be of help explaining:

http://www.lupus.org/answers/entry/l...nervous-system

http://lupus.about.com/od/relatedcon.../a/LupusMS.htm