#which i think isnt 100% required even. especially w my positive ANA. but some docs wont diagnose without it

[crimeronan]

pursuing a lupus diagnosis is sometimes extremely funny. lately every doctor i go to is like "okay so this is. definitely lupus. with very specific complications. but i'm not putting that diagnosis on paper because lupus is a lazy diagnosis and it's never lupus. except in your case. in which it is lupus" i know the USUAL experience is people being disbelieved by doctors for Years when they try to tell them they likely have lupus & that WAS my experience three years back, but NOW i've had a lucky combo of well-timed test results and symptoms that have led to a general attitude of "okay i literally can't find any explanation OTHER than lupus with very specific complications. but i'd be more comfortable if you got diagnosed by a rheumatologist instead" and then the rheumatologist you're referred to literally never calls you back to schedule bc they're so overbooked due to consequences of the COVID pandemic so your normal doctor is stuck managing your constellation of technically-undiagnosed symptoms, that could technically be anything, except for how. they are lupus. with very specific complications.