My ANA test for three years has come back normal, but I continue to get lesions, my hair falls out, and I get sick easily. I have been to two rheumatologists. Both say I do not have SLE, but my family doctor feels I do. What do you think?

I was also told that because I only have discoid lupus, this would not cause any health problems other than with my skin and hair. So why do I have it in my nose and inside both ears? I’m now 33, my bones are brittle, and I have osteoarthritis in my hands and fingers. Help!

DEAR READER: Whew, where to start? Some children have impaired immune systems, making them subject to numerous disorders. My guess is that you were unfortunate enough to fall into that category.

There are a number of forms of lupus, which is an autoimmune disease. Lupus can affect joints, skin, kidneys, brain, heart, lungs and other parts of the body. Common symptoms include skin rash, kidney problems, arthritis and unexplained fever.

Discoid lupus is a chronic skin disorder that shows as a raised red rash that ordinarily appears on the face and scalp but can appear in other areas of the body, including the nose and ears. The lesions may last for days or years and can recur. Some people diagnosed with discoid lupus may develop systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) at a later date.

Because arthritis is a common complaint, it’s not at all surprising that you have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, chronic pain in muscles and ligaments.

Pleurisy is swelling of the lung linings that causes pain and breathlessness during inhalation and exhalation. Causes include acute viral infections, such as influenza, and can be the result of autoimmune disorders, such as lupus.

Kidney stones and related infections have numerous causes, including dehydration, obesity, genetic factors and a diet high in protein/sugar/sodium.

Vertigo can be caused by an inner-ear disorder, migraine headache, acoustic neuroma and other causes.
Depression and anxiety can be caused by lupus, fibromyalgia, kidney stones and vertigo. You have a lot on your plate, and it has obviously resulted in a lot of stress. Osteoarthritis, a breakdown of cartilage, causes pain and stiffness of affected joints. The condition is commonly associated with the aging process, but at 33, you are far from old. Treatment is geared toward controlling pain through medication, rest, exercise and protection of the affected joint(s).

Because so many of your symptoms involve pain, I’m inclined to suggest that you be referred to a pain clinic for control or request a referral to a larger diagnostic center, such as the Mayo Clinic. You will learn methods for reducing the level of pain you presently experience that may include water aerobics and yoga. Appropriate medication might be ordered. Once you get that aspect under control, the anxiety and stress levels you are under may be reduced.

To provide related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Fibromyalgia.” Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed stamped No. 10 envelope and a $2 check or money order to Newsletter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092-0167. Be sure to mention the title or print an order form off my website at www.AskDrGottMD.com.

I would like to know if there is any research to support the use of either olive oil or lemon juice to help pass kidney stones.

DEAR READER:
Kidney stones are ordinarily the result of a buildup of uric acid crystals (which are also the cause of gout when they migrate to the joints). As the crystals accumulate, they stick together to create something that looks very much like a stone.

There are several reasons for individuals to create stones. The most common is failure to drink adequate amounts of fluid throughout the day. Others may have abnormalities of their kidneys or even a genetic predisposition.

The best way to prevent stones is to be sure to drink plenty of fluids, especially water. I typically recommend people only drink when thirsty, but for those with known kidney stones or risk factors for developing stones, it is important to drink eight to ten glasses of water a day.

As for treatment, most stones will pass on their own. Small or moderate-sized stones may cause discomfort and pain. Large stones may need to be broken using lithotripsy or medication before being passed. This is to ensure they don’t block the flow of urine and cause serious damage.

There are many home remedies for this common but painful condition. I must admit that I have heard of the oil and lemon juice remedy but only from one person, and quite personally, thought it was so bizarre that it was only he who thought it worked. I, therefore, never thought to mention it before now.

The gentleman in question was frequently plagued by kidney stones, often having several a year. He swore to me that since starting the “treatment” stones passed much more quickly and were accompanied by less pain and discomfort. He also told me that drinking a glass of fresh lemonade daily helped to prevent the stones. At the time of my retirement, he had only had one or two stones in the last three years, which , of course, were treated with olive oil and lemon juice.

I cannot imagine the taste is pleasant but I don’t see any harm in at least giving it a try. Readers, let me know your results. If favorable, I will be sure to include it in my soon-to-be-completed “Compelling Home Remedies 2” Health Report.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Kidney Disorders”. Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure mention the title.

My husband had seven kidney stones caused by gout crystals. He was given allopurinol to help control them but it only caused him severe pain across the bottom of his chest and top of his stomach. I was afraid his pancreas was being harmed. (We have a friend who lost his gallbladder, most likely because of his use of allopurinol.)

After seeing your article, I put my husband on two cherry extract pills a day. I figured if it helped gout, it would help kidney stones caused by gout crystals. I guess I was right because my husband has not had another kidney stone and it’s been five years!

DEAR READER:
It does appear that you were correct in suggesting your husband use cherry extract pills to treat his kidney stones. It makes sense that if cherries can alleviate the discomfort of gout, they should also reduce symptoms of kidney stones caused by gout crystals. I am therefore printing your letter for other readers input. Cherries can be eaten every day (10-15 fresh, dried, canned) or cherry extract (pills or liquid) can also easily be substituted for those who do not like cherries or find it hard to get them at certain times of the year.

I would also like to address your statements about allopurinol. Some people, such as your husband, are sensitive to the medication. Side effects can include allergy, nausea, diarrhea, rash, abdominal pain, and much more. One of the more rare side effects is hemorrhagic pancreatitis. I doubt that your husband was experiencing pain from his pancreas. As for your friend who lost his gallbladder, I also doubt this was due to allopurinol use. Gallbladder disease can cause symptoms similar to side effects of the drug. Chances are that these conditions simply coincided with their allopurinol use since most side effects from this medication occur in less than one percent of users.

That being said, both your husband and friend should have immediately stopped the medication and contacted their doctors if their symptoms were severe. The doctors could have given their respective patients exams, testing and changes in dosage or medication. There is no need to suffer debilitating side effects from medication taken for relatively trivial conditions. Gout is not deadly; it is simply annoying and painful. Kidney stones do carry some risks but in most cases are also harmless and will eventually (and painfully) pass on their own. If your husband had seven kidney stones at once, perhaps he should have tried other options such as lithotripsy which uses sound waves to break up the stones, making them easier to pass.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Dr. Gott’s Compelling Home Remedies”. Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my recently updated Health Report “Kidney Disorders”. Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed 4 ¼” X 9 ½” letter-sized stamped envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.