Hello my name is Cheryl, I live in Texas and I'm 30 years old. For the past year I've seen a rhuematogist, an infection disease specialist, my family doctor, and many others.... I know that I'm not crazy either. My Sedmentation Rate stays around 40, which is twice as high as it should be. This test simply reveals that there is inflamation present somewhere in the body... INFLAMATION!!! (imagine that) This seems to baffle all the doctors I've seen. I have plueritis continually, awful joint pain, swollen glands, fever (almost always) chest pain... the list goes on... To try and lessen what may seem like whining, I will tell you that my mother also has Lupus. I have not been diagnosed with this as of yet because my ANA hasn't come back positive, but my doctor finally... FINALLY told me after a year of testing everything you can imagine, that he suspects lupus... so glad he FINALLY told me. I even had a biopsy on a gland in my neck and it was normal. Nothing came of that biopsy, except an ugly scar caused by the incision. As I mentioned, my mom has Lupus and has had tons of Lupus tests -- she DOES NOT always have a positive ANA.
To try and lessen what may seem like whining, I will tell you that my mother also has Lupus. I have not been diagnosed with this as of yet because my ANA hasn't come back positive, but my doctor finally... FINALLY told me after a year of testing everything you can imagine, that he suspects lupus... so glad he FINALLY told me. I even had a biopsy on a gland in my neck and it was normal. Nothing came of that biopsy, except an ugly scar caused by the incision. As I mentioned, my mom has Lupus and has had tons of Lupus tests -- she DOES NOT always have a positive ANA.
I'm exhausted to the point that I can't even explain it and sometimes I would just like to give up, as this has gone on for so long. I'm currently feeling a little better, but I still have flares of illness and fatigue that are overwhelming. However, I do feel fortunate now because for three months last year, I COULD NOT work... I caught everything... cytomegalavirus, epstein barr virus, and many more illnesses. I do not have AIDS! That's one test I'm definitely glad is negative! The point is, my immune system feels SHOT! (* see editor's note:)
I don't know what to do anymore ~ I don't feel like EVER going to a doctor again, no matter how sick I may be. This has all taken a toll on my family, as well as myself. My husband doesn't know how to deal with it, but he is sweet. I feel guilty about my children sometimes, as I'm often too tired to play or even to watch them. I went from being fit, active, and energetic ... to this. Even though my doctor did say it probably is lupus, he still put me on an anti-deppressant. The thing is, I never felt depressed. Yet, the medication does help some ~ but not when I have a flare of illness. Yet, I also have an odd feeling that this medication is masking my symptoms. Even though I shouldn't have, I borrowed Prednisone from a friend recently, because I felt like I was going to be in the hospital with pnuemonia if I didn't. I really don't like the Prednisone anyway because, when I quit taking them I get even sicker than before. So it's a vicious cycle.
I don't know why I felt compelled to write to you, Gayla, but I did and this is only part of the ordeal I've been through. I will be praying for your condition and your eyesight as well. I'm glad I wrote. Thank you for listening and sharing your seniments... that you AREN'T crazy... oh, that is SOOOO HOW I FEEL!!!!
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