Okay, just a word up front.  This is a whine/rant/venting article.  If you're not interested, please feel free to ignore this.

Having said all of that ...

Lately, I've been dealing with some odd health issues.  For the last couple of weeks, I've been going through strange symptoms.  I've got weakness (and general aches) in my legs (primarily the hips, knees and ankles, and it's bi-lateral).  I've got issues with being in the sun (after more anything more than a couple minutes out in direct sunlight, my hands swell and my face gets red and rash-like).  I've got bad arthritis like pains in my back, feet, hips and knees.  My energy levels are completely non-existent.  I have difficulty getting started in the mornings, but once I get going ... I'm good until about 2 - 4 PM (varies from day to day).  Then, it's like someone flipped a switch and cut the generator's off.  I get to where I can barely walk, can't think straight and can barely lift my head sometimes.  I feel like I could fall asleep at my desk.  On top of all of this I seem to be running periodic, low grade fevers.  Nothing dangerous (or overly noticeable most of the time).  I'm just a little warmer to the touch than is normal for me.  My core body temp is 98.1 degrees.  When I'm healthy, it doesn't vary from this.  Over the last couple weeks, it's been in the 99 - 100 range, fairly consistently. 

Now, I have seen my doctor about this.  His initial guess is lupus or Rheumatoid arthritis.  He took some blood for tests on Monday.  So far, there's been no word from him or his office on what the results can be.

What worrys me is this:  I fear that he is correct.  I had a bout of similar symptoms a couple years ago, that were pretty much ignored.  After several weeks, the symptoms faded.  Now, they're back.  With a vengeance.  During the previous episode, the blood tests came back inconclusive (according to the docs).  Tests for RF (Rheumatoid Factor) were negative, but as my mother proves, that's not always conclusive (anywhere from 10 - 20 percent of all people w/ RA display a negative RF in the bloodtests).  The ANA test was borderline (~ 1:400 titer with a speckled pattern).  The Anti-Sp and Anti-Rho tests weren't performed (why, I don't know, but they weren't).

So, it's getting more and more difficult to move around.  Being a male, 31 (for another month at least), diabetic and being 80 pounds overweight, doesn't help. 

So, if you see/hear me rambling (even more so than normal) for the next week or so, don't mind me.  It's only the steroids talking.  For some reason, Prednisone (and most corticosteroids) mess with my mind and make the already present depression, even worse. 

So, 'til next time...

Cheers!