brother 55, newly dx'd with cutaneous lupus

[whipple]

My brother, 55, was recently dx'd with cutaneous lupus after a sunburn in a malar distribution that didn't go away.  He's lived in Florida for years, drives a convertible, out in a boat in the sun and this is the first time he's ever had any cutaneous symptoms.  Is this late appearance a good sign that he has only cutaneous lupus or does systemic lupus start in midlife?

Thank you.

[thyroidian]

Hi.
Cutaneous Lupus, and SLE are diferent. Cutaneous affect the skin were by SLE is systemic, affecting body systems.

But i have heard of people having cutaneous, and then going on in later life to develop SLE.
Also SLE, can strike at an early age, usually between 20-40, maybe even younger, maybe some people get diagnosed in midlife though.

Surely either the dermatologist, or rheumatologist who looks after your brother, will do further testing in regards to SLE.

Hope this has helped

Nicola

[ewford]

What are other symptoms?   Neck pain/crackles? sore lymph nodes in neck?  back pain?  muscle and joint pain?  The fact he lives in Florida gives suspicion it could be Lymes disease.  Even if Labcorp tests for Lymes were negative, it has been proven the Labcorp/Quest Lymes tests are worthless missing over 90% of actual positive cases.   Lymes disables your immune system and causes you to not have antibodies, or enough to measure by their test criteria.  Could also be Mycoplasmal.  Search www.immed.org and look under Autoimmune diseases.  it is Dr Garth Nicolson's website.  He is an expert on this forum.