shannielee74 :- Lupus Community -: Support Group

I haven't been on here for a while. Life has been busy. About a month ago I started...

Shannielee74
~~~Life is what happens when your busy making other plans...John Lennon~~~

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Lupus Remission! I haven't been on here for a while. Life has been busy. About a month ago I started...

Reply: Can't keep up.....

You are not alone. I was diagnosed a little over 2 years ago and it is not always...

Shannielee74
~~~Life is what happens when your busy making other plans...John Lennon~~~

Posted by shannielee74

9 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Can't keep up..... You are not alone. I was diagnosed a little over 2 years ago and it is not always...

Reply: Monday Check-In - 02/27/12

Alas, I did not see the Oscars as I was working last night. I hope they were good. ...

Shannielee74
~~~Life is what happens when your busy making other plans...John Lennon~~~

Posted by shannielee74

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Monday Check-In - 02/27/12 Alas, I did not see the Oscars as I was working last night. I hope they were good. ...

Scary Medication Reaction

I have spent months having 'muscle spasms' (for lack of a better explanation) in my...

Shannielee74
~~~Life is what happens when your busy making other plans...John Lennon~~~

Posted by shannielee74

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Scary Medication Reaction I have spent months having 'muscle spasms' (for lack of a better explanation) in my...

Reply: 2012 Lupus Roll Call - Please introduce yoursel...

Hi! I'm Shandra and I'm 37 years old. I was diagnosed 2 days before Christmas in 2009...

Shannielee74
~~~Life is what happens when your busy making other plans...John Lennon~~~

Posted by shannielee74

Hi! I'm Shandra and I'm 37 years old. I was diagnosed 2 days before Christmas in 2009 and it was the best present I could have received. I finally knew, after 12 years, what was wrong with me. I began having sypmtoms during a pregnancy, but when I told the doctors that no one in my family has an autoimmune disease they never tested me. 5 years later I had another baby and she nearly died during delivery. I've had 4 successful pregnancy and another 5 miscarriages. 6 years ago I was diagnosed with endometriosis, which seems to go along with lupus in many women. This led to a total hysterectomy 6 1/2 weeks ago.
My path to diagnosis culminated with someone on the commuter train asking me how long I'd had lupus because of the 'sunburn' (aka malar rash) on my face. I told her I didn't have it but became curious and looked up the symptoms. I had sudden weight loss (50lbs in 3 weeks w/o trying), hair loss, extreme fatigue, joint pain, and malar rash. I was seeing my pcp the next day because I have asthma. When I went in I brought up the conversation of the day before and went through my 'symptoms'. He was fairly convinced on the rash alone, but sent me to the lab for tests. A week later he said he believed I had SLE, but wanted me to see a rheumy to confirm. As the fates would have it, I got into a rheumy 3 wks later. He ran more tests and had me come back just before Christmas. He confirmed the diagnosis and started me on plaquenil and a prescription strength NSAID.
Last year was a downward spiral as my pain was out of control, but my sedrate and other tests didn't show a significant flare. As I said before, it led to a hysterectomy. Now my joint pain is under control. I'm still tired all the time, but feel like I am getting my life back for the moment. I know at any time things can change. It isn't stopping me from planning for the future and finding ways to make things happen.
In the midst of all of this I even met a wonderful man and we married last summer in an outdoor wedding (crazy since I have become photosensitive). He is a strength to me and helps me to remember to take it easy when I would normally keep pushing.
The tip I can share is to find people to talk to. I met a woman who lives in Pennsylvania and we talk daily. We support each other through it all. I'm not afraid to let people know that I live with something that can make my life change on a dime. My faith in God has also helped me through it all. Without that, I know I'd be lost. The one other thing that has kept me going on those really down days are my 4 beautiful daughters who have learned so much about keeping house and cooking meals.
To those who are struggling, just remember you are not alone. Find a support group (coming here helps too) in your area. Find the LFA group in your state or city and ask for help with some of the financial stuff....the one here paid for my meds for a couple of months when I was out of work and needed those meds to get back and going. There is help, just look and you will find it!View Thread

Shannielee74
~~~Life is what happens when your busy making other plans...John Lennon~~~

Posted byshannielee74

85 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:2012 Lupus Roll Call - Please introduce yourself.... Hi! I'm Shandra and I'm 37 years old. I was diagnosed 2 days before Christmas in 2009...

Back in the Land of the Living

On Jan 3rd I had a hysterectomy (they were able to leave my ovaries). Can I just say...

Shannielee74
~~~Life is what happens when your busy making other plans...John Lennon~~~

Posted by shannielee74

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Back in the Land of the Living On Jan 3rd I had a hysterectomy (they were able to leave my ovaries). Can I just say...

Surgery

This month has been crazy. Between the stress of a mentally unstable neighbor,...

Shannielee74
~~~Life is what happens when your busy making other plans...John Lennon~~~

Posted by shannielee74

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If you've had a hysterectomy, did your lupus symptoms improve after surgery?

3 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Surgery This month has been crazy. Between the stress of a mentally unstable neighbor,...

Hysterectomy

I've had endometriosis for several years. They finally decided that it is what is...

Shannielee74
~~~Life is what happens when your busy making other plans...John Lennon~~~

Posted by shannielee74

2 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Hysterectomy I've had endometriosis for several years. They finally decided that it is what is...

Reply: Monday Check in 11/7/11

This weekend was one of those pain-filled ones. My new hubby, in his desire to find a...

Shannielee74
~~~Life is what happens when your busy making other plans...John Lennon~~~

Posted by shannielee74

5 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Monday Check in 11/7/11 This weekend was one of those pain-filled ones. My new hubby, in his desire to find a...

Reply: How do we know......

After reading some of this, I am now concerned. I have sat with those same symptoms...

Shannielee74
~~~Life is what happens when your busy making other plans...John Lennon~~~

Posted by shannielee74

8 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:How do we know...... After reading some of this, I am now concerned. I have sat with those same symptoms...

shannielee74

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