Diary
Jul 11 2010 10:17PM
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julia
Entry 1 of 1
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Julia
I am a 47 yr old caucasion woman. I was diagnosed with Lupus about 10 yrs ago. My early symptoms began with extreme pain, to the point where I had difficulty walking, I had fatigue, anemia, low grade fevers, digestive issue (mush like Crohns) and ulcers in my mouth and nose, Raynauds, and Rheumatoid Arthritis. I was always a very active and healthy woman, and being "sick" truly took me by surprise.
I went to see my PCP, who did and ANA test that came back positive. I was then sent to a rheumatologist, who did an excellent job at helping me get my Lupus under control. I was put on Plaquinel, Diclofenac, and Methotrexate. On occasion when I would have flare ups I was put on steroids to get things under control. The side effects of the drugs were almost as bad as the Lupus itself. My hair thinned terribly, and the Methotrexate made me so tired. I later started Remicade, and I actually felt like I didn't have any disease ........ it gave me new life and took away most of the pain and fatigue.
18 months ago I was rushed to the hospital where I underwent surgery to remove a section of my colon. The lining had thinned and my colon was perforated. After my surgery I was taken off of all drugs to get my system "settled down" ..... I have never gone back. The Rheumatologist believes taht my near death experince was cause from the side effects of the medications I was on. To complicate things, My immune system went bizurk, and I developed keloids on the abdominal incision. I ended up see a plastic surgery that injected steroids bi-monthly to reduce the hard mass of scar and stop the nerve damage that the keloid caused.
However lately I have noticed that my hands are swollen in the morning to the point where it is difficult to bend my fingers. I am feeling fatigue again, and have noticed uclers in my nose and mouth starting. As much as I woulod like to ignore the symptoms, I know that the "wolf" is awakening again.
I have concluded that life with Lupus simply means that I have to work a little harder at being healthy .... I will not let this disease get the best of me .... I am going to live life and enjoy it as best I can, and know that no matter how bad of a day I am having , someone else is having a day that is worse, and that keeps things in perspective.
I went to see my PCP, who did and ANA test that came back positive. I was then sent to a rheumatologist, who did an excellent job at helping me get my Lupus under control. I was put on Plaquinel, Diclofenac, and Methotrexate. On occasion when I would have flare ups I was put on steroids to get things under control. The side effects of the drugs were almost as bad as the Lupus itself. My hair thinned terribly, and the Methotrexate made me so tired. I later started Remicade, and I actually felt like I didn't have any disease ........ it gave me new life and took away most of the pain and fatigue.
18 months ago I was rushed to the hospital where I underwent surgery to remove a section of my colon. The lining had thinned and my colon was perforated. After my surgery I was taken off of all drugs to get my system "settled down" ..... I have never gone back. The Rheumatologist believes taht my near death experince was cause from the side effects of the medications I was on. To complicate things, My immune system went bizurk, and I developed keloids on the abdominal incision. I ended up see a plastic surgery that injected steroids bi-monthly to reduce the hard mass of scar and stop the nerve damage that the keloid caused.
However lately I have noticed that my hands are swollen in the morning to the point where it is difficult to bend my fingers. I am feeling fatigue again, and have noticed uclers in my nose and mouth starting. As much as I woulod like to ignore the symptoms, I know that the "wolf" is awakening again.
I have concluded that life with Lupus simply means that I have to work a little harder at being healthy .... I will not let this disease get the best of me .... I am going to live life and enjoy it as best I can, and know that no matter how bad of a day I am having , someone else is having a day that is worse, and that keeps things in perspective.
