New member

Hi everyone. I just joined this forum and I wanted to say hi. It seems like a very supportive group. I have lupus and fibromyalgia. I was diagnosed about 6 years ago but I suspect I've had lupus for most of my life (I am 51 years old). My younger sister has lupus too and our older sister has fibromyalgia. My son, who is 23, was recently diagnosed with fibromyalgia with irritable bowel syndrome and Raynaud's syndrome. Although my lupus is relatively mild, it has caused limitations in my life. I stopped driving a few years ago and I work from home now. I also am plagued with anxiety and panic attacks, which I'm dealt with since childhood. While I have learned to accept the limitations in my life for the most part, I worry about  my son who is having a harder time accepting his chronic health issues. I guess I've had more time to deal with it than he has. It's an ongoing struggle, isn't it? I look forward to getting to know you and share with you.

Thanks for the warm welcome, Fran. And thanks for reminding me that adjustment takes time and patience. I guess I need to remember that my son hasn't had the years to adjust that I have had. Having said that, there are still times when I get angry about the changes I've had to make because of illness too, but then I remind myself to be grateful because it could be so much worse.

Thanks Judy. It does help to chat with people who understand. It is hard to explain how you feel to people that don't know what it's like to live with lupus.