Coping with Lupus

Trying to focus my attention on the positive things in life as opposed to the negative has helped to ward off the "plom disease" [poor little old me - it is bad enough that I have one disease I really don't need another. ;)]

My biggest struggle is learning not to put excessive demands on myself and then berating myself for falling short. But even with a good outlook, depression, frustration, and the shedding of many tears do occur. When I’m having a really bad day and the veil of gloom seems to hover over me, I try to remember that it will pass, and with extra reliance on God, I’ll get through it.

I have truly come to appreciate God’s qualities of compassion and mercy, remembering often the words at Job 34:28:

‘And so he hears the cry of the afflicted one.’

Yes, mankind is sick, in more ways than one. We need help that even the most skilled physicians are unable to give. I believe that soon God will fulfill the first scripture I learned as a child. Then it will be said of all people:

“No resident will say: ‘I am sick.’”

(Isaiah 33:24) Doesn’t that sound wonderful? It does to me!— and by means of this it keeps me going.

What is Lupus?

When I was diagnosed with Lupus in 2007 I was completely devistated. I was only 23 years old, the prime of my life, just gotten married. The hardest for me was that I would not be able to be active as I was, and being on really strong meds for the rest of my life.

When I told friends and family they had no idea what Lupus is and there is actually not much knowledge about Lupus - so before I start my diary I would like people to know be more aware of Lupus.

The Lupus that I have diagnosed with is: SLE (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus) is a chronic autoimmune connective tissue disease that can affect any part of the body. As occurs in other autoimmune diseases, the immune system attacks the body’s cells and tissue, resulting in inflammation and tissue damage.

SLE most often harms the heart, joints, skin, lungs, blood vessels, liver, kidneys, and nervous system. The course of the disease is unpredictable, with periods of illness (called flares) alternating with remissions.

My lupus affects my joints. And since I have been diagnosed I have not had the privelledge of getting it into remission. There are days that I feel over the moon and almost like my old self. Then there are those dark and gloomy days where I am in so much pain, don't have any energy and feel that the world can just swallow me up.

Signs and Symptoms

SLE is one of several diseases known as "the great imitators" because it often mimics or is mistaken for other illnesses. This was so true in my case. I first started getting pains in my hands. Originally I thought it is because I was doing a lot of typing work, started progressing to my ankles and knees. Finally someone at work said that I should go and see a doctor. I went to my GP and after some blood test he diagnosed me with Rheumatoid arthritis. He had put on a course of medication - however I was not getting any better. Long story short - I went to see a Rheumatologist and that is when he had diagnosed me with SLE.