Does Lupus cause puffy bulges in muscle tissue.?

My wife was diagnosed with lupus. She has puffy bulges in her muscle tissue on her leg, arm and inside both elbows. Some on her feet too. Her doctor who is a general practicianer says they are not related to lupus. She has and appointment with a rhumetoligist, but we are wondering, is her family doctor wrong. After seening him for 5 years, he didn't even diagnos the lupus, an ER doctor did when she had a severe flare up. Only after that, did her family doc order an ANA test which came back positive.

My friend has Lupus, but also Fibromyalgia like I have. I have the puffy bulges in most of my muscle tissue and so does she.
The rheumatologist is the one to talk to on all those issues, so she is going to the expert.
One thing to note many doctors have found that Fibromyalgia progresses to osteoarthritis.
Things like Lupus and Fibromyalgia are tricky to diagnose especially if you are not in a flare up.
Good Luck and I hope she feels better!!!!

From the facts page on the link below:

14. What is Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is a syndrome, meaning that it is a collection of symptoms that occur together, and not all patients have all of them. Women are affected more than men--only about 20 percent are male--and it also occurs in children. Fibromyalgia means "pain in muscles and fibers." This pain must be present in all four quadrants of the body for three months. Diagnosis is made by the presence of tender swollen areas that hurt when a small amount of pressure is applied. However, not all patients have significant pain, for some fatigue is the primary complaint. Other symptoms include headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, irritable bladder, vulvodynia, problems with memory and concentration, nervousness, depression, and sensitivity to sound, light and odors. top

Thats a strange one, I have Lupus as well as well as owning a support group for those with Lupus. I do have a couple on my legs, but never thought much about them. they are rather samll, and don't hurt. With issues to skin, anything can happen. Rahes, little disk like spots that may or may not open and bleed a bit, then go away. clusters of rashes on any part of the body. There is somthing called the butterfly rash on the face, that goes from the bridge of the nose, and across the cheeks. You can also loose pigmintation in small or large patches. Which can be Vitalago, or just loss of pigmintation.

Lupus, depending on the type, there is discoid, which only effects the skin, and SLE the entire body, can vary from mild to severe. The Rhumetologist will be able to tell the two of you more. However don't dispare (Im a bad speller, but knowledgable) there are medications that can help control the illness. Ive had it and rather severe for over 20 years.

It is rare to find a family doctor/general practitioner who knows squat about lupus. Bring you questions to the rheumatologist. In the mean time go to the link provided and learn all you can.