My husband has multiple autoimmune diseases but no one can give him a cause.

Hi Angel-

Thanks for your question.  Although we can't offer medical diagnoses over the internet, we might be able to offer you some more information on what your husband is going through.  I've passed your question along to one of the doctors on our site and we'll let you know when we have a response.

-Dan

I'm sorry to hear of your husband's ailments and I hope he begins to feel better soon. He should definitely be under the care of a rheumatologist if he is not already. Nearly 25 percent of patients with an autoimmune disease will develop an additional autoimmune disorder, and it's important to know that certain types of autoimmune disorders tend to be associated with each other. Although the exact cause is unknown, genetics, family history, and infection are contributing factors to developing one or more autoimmune diseases.

Most of your husband's symptoms could be related to his known diagnoses, but his arthritis should be evaluated by a physician. The term "multiple autoimmune syndrome" (MAS) is applied to people who have more than two autoimmune conditions. It may be helpful to know the specific disease groupings when a patient has more than one autoimmune disease and later presents with non-specific signs suggesting onset of a third condition. The type 3 variant of MAS is linked to specific genetic markers (HLA-B8 and/or DR3 or DR5) and describes a tendency toward a number of autoimmune diseases, including but not limited to Graves' disease, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, Systemic lupus erythematosus, and a few skin diseases.

angell, I was so glad to find your posting. I have many of the same problems as your husband and know one can give me a reason why or how it happened. I have Lupus, RA, Fibro, IBS, Hypothyroidism, Grave's Diease, and an irregular heart beat with paplations.

My docs are trying to treat each disease at one time, but I feel there is something connecting them all. I am having a hard time trying to find a doc that will treat my health problems the way I want to and I am even more limited because I am on medicaid. The first thing and probably the worst thing they did was put me on steriods. My body completely changed in not in good ways. I felt a lil better but soon felt the effects of the med on my liver and kidneys and I was on a low dose. And they refuse to give anything for pain. I am being to feel better thanks to seeing a pyscologist and setting a schdeule and keeping active. I eat better and just try to take it day by day even though I am in pain.

I think the best thing for your husband would be to keep searching for the right doctors. And take some physical and occuptional therapy. I know learning to breathe properly has help me through a lot of my pain.

And Dr. Amy mention MAS and this is the first time I have ever heard that mentioned. So I will research that more and hopefully find some useful information from that.

Best of Luck!!

Crystal