Lupus Support Group

I was diagnosed with Lupus in December 2004. I have since been diagnosed with RA, Sjogren's Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, Asthma, Barrett's Esophagus, and Depression. I gained over 175 lbs since being diagnosed. I successfully had weight loss surgery (BPD) on 07/06/09. I have lost 114 lbs as of today. I regularly see a wonderful Rheumatologist and Pulmonary Specialist in Garland, TX and a Bariatric Surgeon in Denton, TX. So far, I am also seeing my regular doctor, too much.

I have been battling a sinus infection for over 3 months. I have been on many different types of antibiotics. I went to see an ENT earlier this week, and she is testing me for MRSA.

I had to have 6 stitches in my hand on 01/06/10 from a cat scratch. I had to follow up with a hand specialist, who told me due to the Methotrexate I am taking via shots, that he could not remove my stitches. Apparently, my hand is not healing.

I have to see an Infectious Disease doctor on Monday. The last time I saw her was in 2007 for Cellulitis in my knee from a fall. I had to have a PIC line put in and I was on antibiotics for 6 weeks. The doctor I am seeing will be sent the results from the mrsa swap taken by the ENT.

I am so tired of being ill. Prior to my successful weight loss surgery, I had attempted a gastric bypass in Plano, TX. This could not be completed, because my stomach was fused to my liver. During the operation, the surgeon nicked my liver. I ended up with a liver abcess. I had to have a PIC line, and I was in the hospital for 5 weeks.

My parents, who are in their mid 70's, do not have a clue about the disease. I have sent them all types of literature to no avail. Help!!!

Welcome to the group! It sounds like you have been through an awful lot, but you have come to the perfect place for support and to meet great new friends who can relate! Many members are going through the same thing lacking the support of family and friends due to them not being educated enough on their illnesses. All you can do is try your best to inform them and if you can ever get them to go to an appt with you, the dr can maybe even talk to them about your health problems. My husband comes to my appts, I never had a problem with him since he is my biggest supporter but I do know that by people seeing what you go through first hand it makes a world of difference than just hearing about it after. I wish you the best of luck, keep posting and stay positive. Stacey

Hi and welcome to the group. The people here are great. Are you taking any immune suppressant for the lupus? Or, if you are on antibiotics, thing kick your lupus in to overdrive. Some family members just never really get it. Especially if you look "normal". That whole, but you don't look sick thing. It drives a lot of us batty. Vent here anytime, we understand. I hope you visit often.

Alison

Welcome Sal,

As said above you've come to a very supportive, caring and compassionate community where you can cry, vent, laugh and just chat....But am sorry you've been so ill.....If you do have mrsa it's a bear to get rid of, have been there and done that, but keep up the faith as one falls down but we always have someone to help us up and get going again!!!!!

Hope you'll enjoy you stay!!!!!

I'll be praying that you might begin to heal very soon so that you can get back to a almost "normal" state!!!!!

PS GREAT TO HEAR ABOUT THE WEIGHT LOSS GIVE YOUR SELF A BIG PAT ON THE BACK, NO MATTER HOW YOU LOST IT THAT IS A SUPER THING TO BE PROUD OF!!!!

Blessings

Debi

Welcome to this fantastic support site....you will meet some wonderful and caring people who know what it's like to live with a chronic illness on a daily basis. So sorry that your parents don't understand your illness....do you have any books on Lupus that they could read???? My family is supportive but don't quite know what I go through each and every day so that is where this support site comes in.....we can all share our sordid stories about our lives with Lupus and I hope you find that you can here as well.

Eva

Hi Salgoud and welcome to the group. I'm sorry to hear that you have other health problems on top of the lupus. Even if the nasal swab has tested positive to MRSA, there are potent antibiotics now that you can take orally without need to put in a PICC line. I think doctors test for MRSA in all patients with previous infection of MRSA as a precaution, because it can take some years to get rid of the bug. Treatment for MRSA is more successful now with the new generations of antibiotics, so it's nothing to worry about.

I think the Lupus Foundation of America has good information about lupus for sufferers and their family. If you need support or information, please give us a post and we'll try to answer you to the best of our abilities.

Take care

Marie

Welcome to the group. I know you will find much support here. I'm sorry that you have so much going on even on top of Lupus. I think The Lupus Foundation of America is a good resource also. Coming here was a step in the right direction. Please feel free to post any questions and we will try to help. I hope you are feeling better soon.

Take Care,

Amy

hi and welcome salgoud49, sounds like you have really had a rough time of it. i know that you will find some great folks here with a lot to offer, i know i have. here is a link to a post that i did with some "letters" to try and explain to others what we go through, maybe they will help with your parents. wendy

http://www.mdjunction.com/forums/lupus-discussions/lounge/ 1134979-do-you-need-to-explain-lupus-to-family-friends

p.s. i think it is great that you donated 12 inches!!

Hi Sal and welcome to the group. I to like you have a couple of other things going on and I do believe there are several others that have more than one problem so we can all sympithise with you to an extent.You have had lots going on please know that you can lean on us here for any support you need. The girls have given you some great places to start. Welcome to the group.

Thanks Wendy. I was trying to remember where that post was...you know memory issues

I know my mother feels very guilty that I have lupus. Your parents might know more than you think but are too guilty to discuss it. I know these are difficult conversations but try it using the link above. I hope you feel better soon.