I have been diagnosed with Rhumetoid Arthritis and Lupus. I am waiting on my appointment with a Specialist. What can I do to find out what I can do to help with tis disease. I have swelling of my hands, feet and ankles. My finger joints hurts so bad and swell until I can t use them at times. I haven t been diagnosed with the kind of Lupus I have yet.
Hi, It will help to have x-rays of your hands to look for RA like changes. Positive ANA alone does not mean you have lupus. For the acute swelling, it is good to take steroids for sometime until the pain and swelling decrease, also it is good to take NSAIDs. There are several medicines such as Plaquenil and Methotrexate.  Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.