I still have this skin reaction that causes my hands and wrist to swell up now. I itch still like crazy. My dermatologist appt isn't until 2 weeks. I wonder if this might be lupus. Does anyone have MG and Lupus

I have a rash that my Derm. biopsied, it came back with Lupus bands, the rash never leaves, but is only on sun exposed areas, he did a biopsy in a non - sun area ,no bands, so it was not diagnostic of Lupus. My grandmother had Lupus & Gout though, very suspicious ! As I do have an overlap disease going on !

Hi Barb, I've been suspected of lupus, but it always comes back negative. So for now, even if doctors are think maybe, I'm taking it as a No.
But I do know of several people who have Lupus along with their Myasthenia.
Auto-Immune diseases are very family orientated, meaning, if there is one, there is usually one lurking about some where near by.
Sometimes they figure it out, and know what it is, and sometimes not.
I really hope you don't have lupus, that's a pain in the neck as well.
Mary, so sorry you're dealing with lupus as well. I know that can't be easy!
Much Love
Lizzie

Barbara, The discoid lupus rash does NOT itch. I volunteered at our local lupus foundation for 10 years so I know a lot about lupus.

Other types of rashes/conditions do. Histamine does make you itch. Some people can actually have a solar allergy!

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1050485-overview

Have you tried using some type of antihistamine like Benadryl? Benadryl can have an adverse effect on people with MG. I am able to tolerate it in small doses, but everyone is different.

Obviously you need to stay out of the sun. Have you noticed any other triggers? Food? Dermatitis herpetiformis (celiac disease) can cause an itchy rash but not the swelling you are describing.

Did you have any kind of insect bite?

You can always go to your primary doctor or urgent care if you need help sooner. Anything that gets rapidly worse or causes lots of swelling needs help right away. Swelling or edema can interfere with circulation and that is always an urgent matter.

I hope you will get some help soon.

Mary, What doctor did the biopsy? Was it a rheumatologist? If not, get one and get a GOOD one. Did they do the lupus blood tests too? Lupus gets worse or can "flare" in the sun so if there was a positive biopsy in the sun-exposed area, that's a pretty definitive sign of lupus!!!

One more thing about lupus . . . it can very quickly and adversely affect the kidneys. A regular check of your kidneys, as I'm sure Lizzie can tell you, is very important.

Lizzie, Since you're on immunosuppressants, I wonder if that has interfered with the lupus tests. Just like it would with MG antibodies.

Annie

Annie, Yes, I've been told it can have an effect on my labs. Oddly enough, my MG antibodies have shown up while on immunos.
And I can't state it enough, keep up with your lab work, I know it's a pain to go in so often, and sometimes, I've wondered, is it necessary? It is. I had no idea that my Potassium double with in the last two weeks.
I'm always either too low, or with in the low side of normal.
So, now, I'm looking at my body being medically stripped of it's potassium.
Also, routine labs check for kidney filtering ...etc...this is how they discovered my kidney disease.
So please, if anyone listens to my advice on anything, please let it be this...keep you labs updated.
Love ya
Love Lizzie

I guess I could be a possability, but will have to wait & see!