Red finger tips= a sign of lupus. My drug induced lupus did this.
My ANA was negative however. They are still slightly red, but not like before.(they were a wine color before and throbbed).
Only below the first knuckle. My toes still get red for some parts of the day.

My doctor was alarmed at the fingers symptom. And cautioned that ANA changes and can be normal and then abnormal and cycle.

Thanks Mrs.D for this info. Did you have general neuropathy symptoms and pain along w the lupus?

My doc ordered new labs for autoimmune antibodies, said a special order that will be sent out and will take a month or so to get back. Also ordered paraneoplastic panel and CT scans of chest and abdomen. He continues to think some type of autoimmune process, but steroid infusions did not help. I suspect we may never know but just will focus on pain management

When this was brewing I had arthritis type symptoms, stiff neck, and generalized pain coming and going everywhere. I had a rash on both arms, for months, that never did anything...no itch no scaling, no broken skin, just ugly. Drug induced lupus is different from real lupus in that it comes from certain drugs... when the drugs are removed the lupus fades. It does not raise ANA levels either.
I had alot of mouth issues, swollen tongue, swelling gums, and canker sores that came and went. I had some sore throats and very stinging eyes. Once I stopped the offending drug, everything started to fade. I only have about 10% of the rash left now 2 months later. No more mouth issues.

The fingers were the almost the last sign though.

I've had PN for over 30 yrs...in feet and hands (carpal tunnel).
Most of it improved after my hypothyroid was fixed. The lupus things were different and really didn't involve my feet and hands very much. It was more full body. I still have some angioedema which comes and goes, but not like before.

My reaction was due to 2 things... the drug induced lupus + angioedema from the ACE inhibitor, so that confused things quite a bit.

Thanks for the info, really appreciated. I originally found this forum from some threads on small fiber neuropathy from 06/07, and you guys (you, Glenntaj, and others) are so knowledgable and helpful. Best resource and advice I have found.

I don't think mine is drug induced, coming off the gabapentin now from 2700 level. Going to see if any different just taking the Tramadol and one Nortriptyline at night, since I don't think gabapentin worked at all and just makes me tired. May try lyrica. The pain is fairly consistent, moves between bad and terrible. Good days are those that just involve my feet and lower legs. But def going to read some of the helpful tips and alternative therapies suggested throuout this forum, and continue to try to live as normally as possible. Seems you all are staying positive and in control of your issues, something I haven't felt since this has happened. That really seems to be the secret to the success stories here.

Thanks to all for helping those of us newbies not lose hope!