Introducing myself

I just wanted to introduce myself. I was diagnosed with Lupus at the age of 25. It has wreaked havoc with my body over the years but the main thing has always been arthritis. I had been to the same rheumy who for years told me that I wouldn't have any joint damage because the type of arthritis that went with Lupus didn't cause that. Because of a move I changed doctors who did a whole new workup as if I was being seen for the very first time. Unfortunately I do have damage-lots of it-and a firm diagnosis of RA. That has meant an added med of Enbrel to my already complex "cocktail". I also have DDD in the lumbar area and recently underwent anterior/posterior fusion at L4-5, L5-S1. I hope I can make a contribution here and also use a new place to "whine" smilewinkgrin

Thanks for the welcome Joy! I'll bring the cheddar next time :)

I was diagnosed about a yr ago with Lupus (SLE), auto phospholipid syndrome and lupus anticoagulant. This came as a total shock after dealing about an entire year with major lower extremity weakness, fatigue. Feeling ill all the time. I also had been thru a battery of tests from. MRIs, Cts of almost every part of the body, EmGs , etc. was told at one point it was Parkinson's and was treated for months with three seperate meds. After weeks of having to be out of work (I'm a RN ) , I returned, frustrated but felt I needed to just push myself back to some form of normalcy. Nothing worked, fatigue became worse, pain increased, there were days I could barely make it thru my shift, I wanted no more tests, prodding, or drs saying they don't know what's wrong. I think the hardest part was actually having my neurologist ask me if everything was ok at home? At work? REALLY?..I was devastated..I assured her things there were just fine and the problem was with my body NOT my psyche. Well, that conversation led her to give me a referral over to rheum. Met with that dr after looking at test results he didn't have any answer either. However, he said just for the heck of it he was gonna have some indepth blood work done just to take a more indepth look. Well...up turned the Lupus.
Since dx I have changed rheumotologist, have done a yr of Placqueni., gabapentin along with lortab for pain. Meds seemed Tito work ok till past three weeks when it seems the walls just caved in...I have been so frustrated, angry lately I don't know where to go from here....
I found this site, and after reading some of the forums I figured this is just the place I might need to be right now to get me thru this time..I have a very supportive and loving husband, two adult kids who really have no clue to what I'm going thru, and my friends..well I can honestly say maybe one or two have really stuck by me.
So, pls bare with me as I begin to unravel with fear as to what will be next.

Joy,

I recently saw a counselor about two weeks ago at the start of my most recent flare up..since it was my first visit with her time was spent basically laying ground work and history. Since then I haven't been back yet because after returning back to work for three days I ended up having repeat flare up which was twice as bad d sent me on bed rest, chg of meds, iv infusions and once again being out of work. I realize I need support but its hard to set up appt when I can't drive or physically be able to sit thru a session.

Thank you Joy!