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04/10/2008 21:49
Carrie1977
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 Hi[size=3][/size]Hi my name is Carrie. I'm 30 years old and the mother of four. I'm really not having a good year at all. I lost my father last month, and today I was diagnosed with lupus. I've had a rash like this before that was misdiagnosed and with the other health problems that I have I never put it together. I also have heart disease, pulmonary stenosis with a leaky mitral valve and hip dysplasia. Birth defects I've always had. I just assumed the chest pains & shortness of breath with fatigue was from my heart & the pain in my hips was arthritis. I'm really hurting right now from all the stress. They did a biopsy on my breast today and I go to a specialist tomorrow. I'm really freaked out and I don't know how much more I can take. It's really hard going through grief and pain and trying to take care of 4 kids. My husband works nights and it's the worst time. I can't sleep and my body aches. I'm taking steroids and ibuprofen and laying on a heating pad. I keep having to switch positions because new places start hurting. I'm so frustrated with my life right now.
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04/11/2008 05:20
gypsygal
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 Hi Carrie,

So sorry to hear about the diagnosis. I am going thru testing at the present but I'm pretty sure I will turn out to be positive. I think I've had it all my adult life. I have had most of the symptoms at some time or another. I think the stress of losing someone like your father triggers a flare. I lost my Mom in Jan. and I think that's what started the prob.with me. I am having mostly chest pain and joint pain. I live in St. Louis. I saw where you are in Jeff City. Do you go to a rheumatologist? This is a very scary disease and I think the stress of the diagnosis or even lack of it (worrying that you might have it) just makes it all worse. I think we have to reduce the stress before our bodies heal and that's hard to do when you're sick. I am trying to reduce the stress thru meditation and positive imagery. Dr. Andrew Weil has sev. books on how to do this. It starts out with simple breathing exercises. I have found it to be very helpful when I am really stressed. Hang in there, you'll get thru this even though at times it is hard to imagine.

Debbie


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04/11/2008 11:02
Carrie1977
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 Thanks Debbie, I'm going to the rheumatologist today. I'm not sure what to expect. My sister is going wth me and she's an RN so I feel a little better. Right now I'd just like to know what to expect. To be honest I'm feeling a little sorry foe myself & I'm angry at everything going on around me. I really need to get a grip. I'm thinking about going to a counselor or therapist. I just don't understand how so much can go wrong so fast. I hope things get better for you. Hang in there.

Carrie
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04/11/2008 13:45
dinkdoll

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 Carrie, I can completely relate to your story. I have fibro and was just diagnosed with lupus a few days ago. I have so many different symptems and believe I have had "something" going on for several years...it just seems to all pop up at once! I have a rash on my right cheek (not a butterfly rash) and was recently diagnosed with rosacea, which I believe ties in with lupus/fibro. The more research I do, the more knowledge I gain. The best advise I can give you, being a single mom of three is to take one minute, one hour, one day at a time. It has taken years of pain and unanswered questions to finaly learn how to be in control of all this craziness! Good luck and God bless! Deena
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04/11/2008 20:34
Carrie1977
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 It's just so much to take in. I have four, but I do have my husband here to help me when he's not working. I cant imagine doing it myself. I hope you have some family to help you. It really is a day at a time. I'll just be glad when they start treating it. I had a bunch of blood work sent off today & I'm waiting on the biopsy to come back, but they've had a positive ana & dna test. They're just rechecking everything to be on the safe side. Two weeks and then more tests. Wish me luck.

Carrie
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04/12/2008 20:17
movallnic
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 Hello Carrie, My name is Nicole. I was diagnosed with Lupus 17 years ago and I am 35 now with one child. I wont lie, it has been one battle after another most recently "kidney disease". Knowledge and support has gotten me through this along with many prayers. I would like to offer let you know about a book that really helped me. It's called "The Lupus Book" and is by Dr.Daniel Wallace. He practices in Los Angeles ,Ca. which is 2 hours from me and after reading his book he is now my Rheumatolgist.The book answers everything you need to know and it not hard to read. It did help me, and please be strong during this trying time.
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04/14/2008 11:44
dinkdoll

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 Carrie, I just had "more" bloodwork taken this morning. It seems the more bloodwork you do, the more reason they have to do more! My rheumatologist is great, but I still get nervous when new medication is prescribed. He informed me this morning to go get an eye exam so he can see if I can take Plaquenil. Do you, or anybody reading this know anything about this drug and it's side effects? He also prescribed me a sleep aid called Klonopin .5mg, not sure how it will work but I am willing to try it...any feedback on either drug is appreciated! I am so thankful to have found this site and feel such a connection to have found other mom's out there who can relate to me for a change! Thanks for the feedback and support!
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04/14/2008 20:45
Carrie1977
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 Nicole~ Thank you for the recommendation. I will have to check that book out. Sorry I didn't reply sooner. I've had a arough couple of days. Hope you're ahving a good night.

Carrie
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04/14/2008 20:47
Carrie1977
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 Deena~ My mom take clonipin (not sure how you spell that) before she sleeps at night and it's for anxiety. She does just fine with it. I feel like crap tonight. Had to go to the dentist today and I feel sick from the pain medication. Hope you're having a better night than me.

Carrie
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04/14/2008 22:34
matiasb75
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 I take klonopin as well sometimes it helps sometimes I'm still up all night. As for the Plaquenil I went to an opthamologist almost two years ago and he told me that he had never seen eye problems because they took plaquenil and to make an appointment with him in two years. I told my doctor and a year later she send me back to him and he checked me and told me to go back in two years. So this time I'm waiting the two years and if my doctor says anything I'll tell him that I don't have the money to keep paying unnecessary trips to the doctor.
From the last time I was on I was told by my gynecologist that I had endometriosis and I had to have a D&C and a new procedure called Novasure.
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