HomeAnswersRheumatologysevere fatigueCan lupus result in extreme fatigue and episodes of unresponsiveness?

I am extremely fatigued and had an episode where I was unresponsive. Please help.

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Medically reviewed by

Dr. Sneha Kannan

Published At October 8, 2020
Reviewed AtJanuary 4, 2024

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I have hypothyroidism, Hashimoto's disease, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes. I was diagnosed with microcytosis before few months. I also have fibromyalgia. I am extremely fatigued and I feel very weak. I am unable to tolerate the sun because I start to have rashes on my skin. They cause itching and burning. I have a lot of pain in my joints. My hands have turned red and my middle finger has become white. I have had profuse sweating for the past two months. I am not able to sleep well. I have a pin and needle sensation all over my body including my face and head. It feels like someone is poking me with needles. It burns and itches a lot. Two months back, I was talking to my brother and I sat on a floor propped against the bed. My brother told me that I was talking gibberish and started to fall to the side. He told me that he has caught me and I was unresponsive at that time. I do not remember anything. I got tested for lupus before four years. I always have health issues. I am taking Levothyroxine 137.5 mcg, Lisinopril 40 mg, Metformin XR 500 mg twice daily, and Iron tablets.

Answered by Dr. Nupoor Acharya

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

You can have these symptoms due to fibromyalgia or hypothyroidism. You have photosensitivity with Raynaud's phenomenon and arthritis. These symptoms can also be seen in lupus or mixed connective tissue disease. As you had a neurological episode, you can have them due to stroke or a transient stroke. You need to do an evaluation for the presence of autoimmune disease. You should do the following tests.

Investigations to be done

You need to do ANA (antinuclear antibody test), MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) brain, APLA (antiphospholipid antibodies), CBC (complete blood count), KFT (kidney function test), urine analysis, C3 and C4 (complement tests) with LFT (liver function test).

Preventive measures

You can use a sunscreen with a sun protection factor below 30. Avoid having sun exposure by using an umbrella, wearing long sleeves, and cover the face. Avoid having cold exposure by wearing gloves and use lukewarm water for bathing.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Nupoor Acharya
Dr. Nupoor Acharya

Rheumatology

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