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Antidepressants do have a function and not only for mood swings or plain garden variety depression. They've been QUITE effective for the relief of pain and for sleeping, So, as far as I can tell, your rheumie is treating your pain; it's just that he's not telling you what he's doing and WHY. That communication 'piece' leaves a lot to be desired in the medical community.View Thread

I had to stop working and am on SSD because of lupus. For sometime I freelanced for a nursing magazine and now I keep busy with a blog site on lupus.
Then not too long ago, I was asked by the CEO of a company to write some blog posts for his blog-FOR MONEY. Not only is that a feeling of validation, but also that someone has noticed my work and is willing to take a chance on me!
I, too didn't marry until later. I was 45 and my husband 36. Needess to say, we don't have children which I always wanted. Premature ovarian faliure at 35 (autoimmunity and the ovaries). NOTHING can make up for those losses.View Thread

We hope to be able to retire here, but he's been without a job for the past 9 months; needless to say, our future is about as clear as mud! Thanks.
We've all coped with this darned illness in a different way and I'm learning from all of you. I might have a leg up on some stuff (like the science behind lupus), but there's so much. Am I the only person here who feels that unless others have LIVED lupus, they CAN'T relate?
But, it's an honor and a priviledge to meet all of you and to know that you, while you can't say, "I UNDERSTAND," you understand and can wrap your head around my world.View Thread

I don't look 59, but ONE gander in my direction will show a woman who limps and whose joints freeze. So when I stand up after just 10 minutes sitting, I hobble, I can't put right foot in front of left in front of right. There's no walking for about 5 minutes.
Mentally, MOST times, I'm sharp as a tack. There are the occasional fog periods; or sheer forgetfulness. My husband is always there to fill in the blanks.
No children. That's probably my greatest sadness in life but premature ovarian failure from lupus made children impossible. Lupus was such a thief there which is too bad; and I feel the BOTH of us would have made wonderful parents. Don't get me started on the losses I've felt for the last 30 years. Thank you, lupus.
I was diagnosed w/ lupus in 2002; before that, I had Sjogren's Syndrome. After the lupus dx, things were changed to SLE w/ secondary Sjogrens.
There's also epilepsy, pulmonary hypertension, osteonecrosis, several blood clotting disorders. But, a cardiac cath several months ago reveled clean coronaries! Some relief in that knowledge, but my cardiologist thinks that are other things wrong with my heart.
Other mixed connective tissue diseases. I understand Factor V is autoimmune, Sjogren's Syndrom, ITP, hypothyroidism; I'm sure there are others, but those are the 'frontrunners!' AnnieView Thread

I have the same problem with my joints 'freezing up.' After I walk around for a while, i look REALATIVELY normal, then I sit down for 5 minutes. If I need to get up, it's like starting that unstifness process ALL OVER AGAIN:(View Thread

At a very young age, I was gravely injured and my siblings were deprived of a lot of needed attention. Now, when I'm older, I don't want attention and help; but there are times when I need it.
Unfortunately, there are times that I really need their support, but i don't receive it. But, yet, I'm expected to be 150% interested in their lives, their children, their jobs and their personal lives 500% of the time. I do my level best not to burden them and like you, I go out of my way not rely on them, not to be needy, etc.
So, how do I deal with this? While my Mom was alive, I grew closer and closer to her and my siblings were supportive. is the reason they aren't any longer due to Mom's death? I don't know, but from where I sit, if feels that way. My chief support is my husband, he's my Rock of Gibraltar, but there are times when he barely keeps his head above water
Plus, it's not fair to have only one person as your support. There are support groups of MANY kinds and that's what I've become heavily involved in. I also write and blog and that is so cleansing for the soul!View Thread

I already have osteonecrosis, but I don't want to take larger doses of Prednisone. My docs have given me Vicodin for pain from the osteonecrosis.View Thread

But, then again, he is a 'he' and the MD who told me about the connection is a 'she.' Actually, the gyne who told me of the connection had a hard time hiding her disappointment; and it's not because she's not a surgeon. She's a gyne surgeon JUST LIKE HIM. I thank you and have my projects lined up for the next few days!View Thread

Factor V and PAH and wonder if those factor into the dosing.
I don't presume to ask you what my dose of HCQ should be. One rheumatologist says 400 mg daily, another 200 mg. Does it matter? Thank you.View Thread
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