How common is it for MS sufferers to come down with Lupus?

[WilliamPitt]

An unfortunately pressing question, and I'm not having a lot of luck researching an answer.

[marybourg]

1. It's very common for a person with one autoimmune disease to develop another

MS and Lupus are both autoimmune diseases. I would guess that there are no studies quantifying how often these 2 particular diseases co-exist. But that's just my guess from several years of lay-person research on lupus.It's also not unusual for each of these diseases to be misdiagnosed. Do lots of research on each disease. We have to be our own advocates (and sometimes our own doctors) in our medical system.

[WilliamPitt]

2. Thank you. n/t

[mopinko]

3. yeesh

i don't have an answer for you, except as stated in the post above, it is not uncommon to have more than one autoimmune. i have 3.
lupus, tho, is notoriously difficult to diagnose, and lots of other things look like lupus. are they just starting down this road? or do they have a lot of evidence already? don't worry until there is a good case.

[WilliamPitt]

4. Just three million blood tests

There are tremor and vision issues that are atypical for a course of MS, but it might be a vitamin deficiency or any number of other things. We're just waiting for the word.

[mopinko]

5. got my fingers crossed for both of you. let us know. nt

[WilliamPitt]

6. I will. Thank you.

:hug:

[Warpy]

7. The definitive test for MS is a lumbar puncture.

which isn't nearly as nasty as you'd think it is, I've had one.

Lupus is diagnosed by a complete immune panel, although that isn't 100%.

Lupus is a global condition, meaning it attacks several or even all body systems, including the central nervous system.

Doctors love a puzzle. Let's hope when they decide this one is solved, they know a good treatment.

[Chalco]

8. Make sure...

they rule in or out neuromyelitis optica, a form of ms recently separated out from regular ms. They now have a treatment for it.

Good luck.