Better late than never...

I don't know what took me so long to join a forum. I am new to this forum thing, but not to Lupus. I was diagnosed with Lupus back in 2003, although I believe I was having flare ups back in 1998. It took forever for it to get diagnosed..because I was never having the same symptoms. I am figuring it went into remission shortly after I graduated college in 1998. In 2002 started a new job, everything was fine. In 2003, I started feeling bad again. Finally, I spoke to a Nurse Practioner..she listened as I explained my symptoms. I was having unexplained chest pain, dizziness..or more like my equilibrium was off. Numbness in hands and feet, swelling joints, terrible headaches. Just a long list of things!! She then noticed the butterfly rash across the bridge of my nose. Right at that moment she suggested I have an ANA test done. When my results came back the following day...my Sed Rate was extremely elevated. And that's when I was finally diagnosed. Then 2005, I had a kidney biopsy done..I was expelling too much protein through my urine. I then found out I have Lupus nephritis...where the lupus has affected the kidneys. So, now I am on Cellcept, plaqinil, and currently taking 50 mg of prednisone for a flare up I am experiencing now. I am extremely fatigue, moody and terribly sore. So sore at time, it hurts to touch certain areas that inflammed!! I am mentally and physically drained. I feel like my patience is low and I don't feel like doing much of anything anymore. No motivation. Just too tired!!! So, here I am.. thought joining this forum would be good for me. I feel like I can't talk to my friends...because they really can't relate and besides...I don't want to bring them down with illness. They already feel bad when they know I am not feeling well. My job just recently suggested I apply for short term disability. My recent flare ups have left me not able to walk at all some days.. Not able to get out of bed. It affects my hands, wrist, ankles and feet..amongst other things. I have gone to the hospital for pleurisy and wow is that painful!!!! I can say...out of all these years of suffering with Lupus...I was finally blessed to have children. I have two beautiful boys!!! They are 2 and 3 years old!! Unfortunately, the last pregnancy took a real toll on my kidneys and my nephrologist suggest I shouldn't have any more children. I joined this forum to help release some emotions, fears and thoughts I have been having for years...with people that can relate. I hope this helps me, so I won't build up so much frustration and animosity towards myself.. or others for that matter. Good night and thanks for allowing me to share.

Welcome, Sugar Bush!

I agree with Donna that this is a perfect place to vent and to get others' perspectives. I, too, find it hard to talk to friends about my medical issues. A forum like this provides a supportive space filled with people who get it. Like Donna said, we all have different symptoms, but we can all understand what it's like to live with chronic illness.

One thing I have found useful is I see a chronic illness/chronic pain counselor twice a month. Forums are wonderful, but she provides me a face-to-face space to discuss my struggles. Like, for me, a big issue is dating. I'm in my early thirties and single and feeling pretty hopeless that no one will ever want to date a sick woman. So, she helps me process those feelings and come up with productive ideas on how to fix what's bothering me. She even takes my insurance! You might ask your rheumatologist if he knows any counselors who are familiar with chronic illness. I think someone with experience is absolutely key in our situation-- there are plenty of counselors out there, but one who is very experienced with chronic illness is important, I think.

So, welcome! And I do hope you feel better soon!

If you can afford it get both types of disability.
They are a blessing in disguise.