I was finally diagnosed with SLE at age 35, though I do believe I have had it since childhood. As a small child I had asthma all the time. At age 13, I began having a severe pain in my upper right side. My family took me to the hospital and my appendix was removed. Exactly one month to the day from the surgery, the pain retuned. I saw the same physician, who said he was certain it had been my appendix. After undergoing more lab tests, I was told the pain was caused by stomach ulcers. Nothing cured the problem and the pain has been so severe that I have prayed to die. I have been in and out of hospitals from age 13 until just a year ago with this pain. Last year, in 1997, an Immunologist decided to run tests on my gall bladder. Results showed that it had only 5% functioning capacity. All these years, the horrible pain could have been elimiated simply by removing my gall bladder.
Last year, in 1997, an Immunologist decided to run tests on my gall bladder. Results showed that it had only 5% functioning capacity. All these years, the horrible pain could have been elimiated simply by removing my gall bladder.
As far back as I can remember, I have suffered from bouts of extreme fatigue and exhaustion. Even the slightest physical exertion would cause me to become very shakey and weak.
At 24, luckily after being able to have two children, I under-went a hysterectomy due to cervical and uterine cancer. Since that surgery, I developed a horrible pain and soreness in my shoulders which prevented me from being able to lift my arms. All my top teeth have had to be removed because of inflammation in my gums. By age 35, I was experiencing chronic pain in my hip and hand joints. At that time, my doctor decided to test for ANA, which was a low positive. He sent me to an Immunologist, who is my current physician, and I was then diagnosed with systemic lupus. Mainly, my eyes and joints are effected, but I have noticed that the nerves in my face twitch alot during a flare up. I also develop sores on the roof of my mouth. There's really too much to remember. Presently, I take Plaqinil and Prednisone.
I have recently found out that my daughter has lupus also. I am very concerned about her, as she is about 8 weeks pregnant right now. She will have to see a "High Risk" Obstetrician for this pregnancy.
Gayla, I feel so sorry for what we have all suffered. My hope is that we can all somehow make a difference in this world!!!
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