I finally got a little more research done. While I couldn't find anything linking your daughters symptoms to RA except for fatigue, here symptoms do match a few for lupus. Here is a link to the info on lupus I found:
http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec05/ch068/ch068b.html#sec05-ch068-ch068b-443
This talks about symptoms of fatigue, positive ANA, and hair loss.
Also I found an interesting site that talks about irregular menstruation in women with autoimmune disorders. You can find it right under symptoms
http://www.faqs.org/health/Sick-V1/Autoimmune-Disorders.html
I am not a doctor and this is all just from research I have done, but if you feel that there is more to your daughters symptoms be sure to talk to her doctor. Maybe you can ask him to run some more tests, and explain to him the extent of your concern and why you are worried. She definitely has symptoms that would cause me some concern, but they may be just hormone related as well. If you believe that there may be more too it than what your doctor is saying, then see another doctor. And be sure to talk to your doctor about your concerns and make sure there is no other symptoms that she may be concerned about. The one thing I tell everybody is that no one knows their bodies better than themselves. I hope you get things worked out, and I pray you daughter is in good health. I wish you and your daughter the best of luck. Please keep us all updated, and if you have any more questions we will do what we can to help!
Hi! I've been reading this site for a while, as i have had RA diagnosed for about a year and a half and need this community very much, and want to thank everyone also.
One thing I keep thinking about as I read this, Mom needs help, is that is your daughter eating well? I have a dear friend who has suffered through an eating disorder, and she had/has these symptoms exactly. I too am not a doctor, but I keep thinking about her as I read your posts, I would think about this too! I don't mean to confuse matters, I am also a mom and feel very much for your situation.
Best of luck, I look forward to seeing how she is doing!
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I am 28 and have had rheumatoid arthritis for over 13 years. Does your daughter have joint pain, and even if she doesn't yet that doesn't mean that she doesn't have RA or another autoimmune disease such as lupus. Has she had a rheumatoid Factor blood test yet? Whatever you do, don't give up. What other symptoms might she have? Any symptom she has make a note of, because even if it seems insignificant, it may help answer many questions. Make a journal to keep track of everything. Have her write down how she is feeling on a daily basis. If I would have been a little more in tune It might have saved me from my joint damage. I have had RA for over 13 years, but was not diagnosed until 3 years ago. I am trying to do some research for you, and find you some sites that may answer your questions. Also does she have a low grade temperature with her fatigue. That is something especially important to note for the doctor.
http://arthritis.about.com/od/rheumatoidarthritis/a/ra_symptoms.htm
Here is a site with symptoms. Ra is a systemic disease so it could possibly effect your daughters periods.
http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/resources.html
This is a wonderful Health Central site that tells a little about JRA.
I hope this has helped. Please keep us updated on what is happening with your daughter, and please feel free to ask any questions you may have. You are not alone in this, we are all here with you and will help in any way we can! Good luck, and best wishes!
This is Mom needs help again. Thank you so much for speaking to me. I am not new to RA (unfortunately) I was diagnosed with it when I was 17. I was told since no other siblings, parents, aunts, grandparents, etc... Had it in my family, the chances of any of my kids getting it was rare. My daughter's only common thread is that she was ill this fall with pneumonia. And when I was around 16 iI suffered a ruptured appendix. Of course no one knows if these illnesses can trigger arthritis or if we were heading for it anyway.
My daughter has not had the slow joint pain which begins in the morning and all the other usual symptons. She began breaking out (acne) more than usual and her hair began falling out, still is. Her fatigue and trouble concentrating ; all not usual symptoms of RA which is why I am reaching out to you and anyone else who might have heard of this. I assure you, she was healthy, straight A's , great appetite, no major trama in her life( not physical or emotional ) and has never been into drinking or drugs. I am also worried about wasting time with treatments that may not be right for her.
My RA started with fatigue and I don't remember having any joint pain in my teenage years even though my rheumatologist thinks I had RA back then. I don't want to scare you because it may not be RA, and I am not a doctor, but I do understand your concern. I too have a positive ANA and they first suspected lupus because of that, but no lupus just RA. Give me a day or 2 and I will try to do some further research for you to see if there are any personal experiences like your daughters or any sites that mention any symptoms your daughter has. I have kids too so I know how scary this can be. Let me see if I can find you something. Until then keep your head up! Good luck and best wishes!