Lupus... I want to know...

my cousin has suffered miscarriages, a stroke, temporary blindness and hip problems - perhaps more due to lupus. your post makes me wonder if I should be tested - I've had miscarriages, still births, bladder troubles and I can not lay down more than 4 or 5 hours at a time because it gives me a pain in my side/back kind of the kidney area I think, that is just intolerable. I generally sleep on the couch sitting up due to this fact.

How terrible it is!My good friends,please care for you own!

Hello, I'm fairly new to MyLot, but found your posting on lupus. I hwas diagnosed with lupus (after a long, painful time of misdiagnoses, reassurances of soap allergies, laundry detergent, puberty, etc etc etc. That was back in 1993. I had a terrible rash on the both cheeks and excessive weight gain, puffy eyes, major fatigue. Finally was discovered it was kidney failure, retaining water. I think I have had too many things due to lupus, to write all about. But if there is a way of sending private messages or emails, please feel free to. I still have major fatigue, which is very common for lupus patients. I've also had my lungs affected (you said you have), and since 2004, had 3 infections in the lungs. Almost had to have removal, but avoided. Still cough up blood each morning, though infections are gone. Depression you mentioned, I have been all too familiar with that. It was the worst and hardest when I was a teenager. It was when I had sudden blood clots, and doctors restricted me from all physical movement/sport that I loved with a passion. Have ahd several organs attacked. Been on many meds. I hope lupus will go into remission for you. This last year has been one of my best in a long time, medically. I was only in the hospital once recently, right before Christmas Eve. Best Wishes and Good Health to you!

First of all, many blessings to you and yours. I was diagnosed April of 06. I had quite the scare then ( in one visit they told me I was anemic, had lupus, acute renal failure and masses on my kidneys)but I am doing alot better. Not to say I'm fine, but I've seen really bad- so I know to be thankful for where I am right now. I have Chronic kidney disease as a result of the Lupus attacking my kidneys in 06. I just underwent evaluation for kidney transplant. I have arthritis in my hands and knees. I get really bad headaches that use to knock me out for days at a time. They would spread down my neck and are accompanied by nausea. I have finally gotten my weight back up to 105 pounds although my doctor wants me at 115. They prescribed me Verapamil which treats blood pressure for the headaches. So I do get them less frequently- my last one was about a week ago and lasted for two days instead of a week. The fatigue and the depression are the hardest for me to deal with. I hate for my daughter who is 8 to see me that way and I can't create when I'm like that. Plus, how can I get work done when all I want to do is sleep all day... and all night (despite the knowledge that there will be hell to pay when I wake up). I fight it as much as possible. I can handle pain- but it's feeling like half the person that I was that I find unbearable. Then there is the hair loss, the rashes and some other things I am to embarrassed to write about. Not being able to play in the sun with my daughter. Mouth soars, and my legs are really giving me hard time. I'm starting physical therapy for my knees. I used to be on like 13 meds. But I quit taking them because all of the side effects made me an inactive, non functional waste of space (not recommended by my doctors). I now only take the Plaquenil, iron and Verapamil. At least I have some of me back. I will keep you in my prayers- your symptoms sound alot more problematic than mine but I wish you the best.

It seems that you have all the typical symptoms of lupus. I guess the way I am affected is from infections. My immune system is extremely low and I'm very susceptible to skin rashes and bacterial infections. I also have pain in my right hip. I take Arthrotec for it. I am allergic to Plaquenil and I have refused to take the other option (Can't think of the name right now) but it causes significant weight gain. I love my sleep too and most of the time I feel groggy. Some days are good, others are bad, but I think that I have a supremely good outlook on all of it. My mom has lupus as well, and the times when I have been just plain lethargic, she has really made me just get up and do something by yelling "You can't let this disease get you down! You have to fight it!" So when I feel bad, I remember those words. I believe the power of the mind can overcome the body. Even with pain, even with chronic fatigue, just stay positive, eat your veggies, and get some rest and you can make it through this, too!