Anyone diagnosed with lupus after Hashimoto’s?
I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s around 3 years ago. I also have insulin resistance, and last year I was diagnosed with autoimmune gastritis as well.
At my last endocrinologist appointment, the good news was that my thyroid labs and ultrasound looked great, and overall I’ve actually been feeling better lately. I’m still continuing the same dose of levothyroxine.
But I brought up some symptoms that have been bothering me recently. I often get a rash/redness on my cheeks, especially in the evenings after around 7pm. My hands became swollen, red, painful, and inflamed like dermatitis for a few times lately. I also have joint pain/swelling and occasional mouth ulcers.
My doctor told me that since I already have multiple autoimmune diseases, there’s a possibility I could have another one, and he mentioned lupus as a possibility. I got a rheumatology appointment, but it’s still 3 months away.
I googled lupus symptoms, and now I’m worried because some of them sound familiar. I was wondering if anyone here was diagnosed with lupus after Hashimoto’s (or around the same time)? How did it start for you?
Also, are there medications or things people usually do for lupus symptoms while waiting for diagnosis/testing? How did your doctor diagnosed lupus? And for people who have both Hashimoto’s and lupus, how do you tell which symptoms belong to which condition?
Honestly I’m feeling pretty frustrated and anxious. Dealing with one autoimmune disease was already exhausting, and the idea of possibly having another one feels overwhelming.