Now what?

[Guest guest]

I got a call from my doctor yesterday. She had ordered a blood panel

to rule out arthritis as the cause for my fatigue, joint and muscle

pain. It came back with high RF and ESR levels, and she has referred

me to a rheumatologist. I go in April 8th.

I've done some online research, and I'm trying to stay upbeat about

this, but I'm nervous. The doctor's assistant (who I spoke to over

the phone) refused to give me any information, including the levels,

but said the RF is high and ESR " elevated " . What can cause this?

I've been in quite a bit of pain lately, and it does come and go (the

last few months have been the worst, though).

I'm 37 and have a toddler. I assumed the pain was due to my age and

having to chase my daughter around, combined with stress. I have had

some heart issues in the past that are, for the most part,

undiagnosed, and did suffer kidney failure during my pregnancy

(preeclampsia). I just haven't been " right " since then. I also have

been getting a rash on my face, worse on the right than the left,

that is worse in summer and starts on the inside of my cheeks and up

the side of my nose, sometimes meeting and then going up to my

forehead. This began about 7 years ago, when a lot of my off and on

health " issues " began, and in the last year has gotten progressively

worse. So, of course I'm worried about lupus now, too.

Am I freaking out about nothing?