How a Lupus Diagnosis Saved My Life

I had struggled with pain and multi-organ complications for most of my life. Doctor said it was stress or depression. I could have open a mental health clinic with all the prescriptions that gave me, none of which worked.

Desperate for help

I remember being in so much pain in my neck, back, hips, knees and even my hands. I went to my go in tears which was a huge deal for me as I never cry in public. I was so desperate for any help and he responded that there was nothing he could do for me. I remember asking him if I was going to live like this for the rest of my life and he answered yes.

I left his office completely defeated and ready to call it quits on my life. I had already gone to physical therapy, aquatic therapy and even pain management and nothing worked and I was done trying.

Seeing a rheumatologist

As luck would have it I tripped and fell and jacked up my knee and shoulder and ended up in urgent care. After explaining what all I was going through the doctor there suggested I see a rheumatologist. He gave the name of a rheumatologist and I made an appointment right away. A few blood tests, an exam, and some trial and error and I am a well-managed lupus patient.

Relief in 30 days

Within 30 days most of my symptoms were managed and my pain is so minimal I hardly notice it. She also found that I have a poor absorption issue with my go track and I was chronically b12, folic acid, iron deficient, anemic, and chronically low on d3. We added supplements and some GI meds along with lupus meds and steroid shots every month and my life is amazing.

Helping my family get answers

I had spent years dealing with this stuff and according to my doctor, I was less than a year from being wheelchair-bound. It has been two years since that timeline expired and yesterday I mowed and weeded my yard and cleaned up my house. I am back to living all because of a great rheumatologist and lupus diagnosis.

When my daughter started having joint and back pain I took her to the same rheumatologist who diagnosed her with psoriatic arthritis and has her managed. My nephew, same thing, and he was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and then my brother same thing and he has lupus too. She has done miraculous things for all of us.

Interested in sharing your own diagnosis story, treatment experience, or another aspect of living with lupus?