August 31, 2010, I finally got in to see the rheumatologist for symptoms I'd been feeling for a long time. My GP had been at a loss to explain the exhaustion, over all body soreness particularly in the joints, persistent headaches and the over all decline in my general health.
A second bout of shingles in three years sent me over the edge. I never got over the general feeling of crapiness. After running a full panel of blood work, where my SED's were high and my A&A's were elevated, my doctor referred my to a rheumatologist.
I have to say that Dr. S was great. He looked at everything. My over all history, an indepth look at how I'm feeling right now and looked at my current blood work. He didn't discount anything that I had to say to him. How refreshing.
His educated look at my current status was that I was leaning toward lupus.
I have to tell you that while lupus is scary in its own right, I feel relieved to have a direction to find relief and way to treat my issues.
Dr. S wanted to do more blood work and have his own lab run the tests so he could make a more in depth diagnosis. We took baseline x-rays of my hands for the arthritic factors.
Mom is in denial. She doesn't want me to have anything to be wrong with me. I understand that. But the reality is, have a diagnosis means I can improve the quality of my life. That is a HUGE bonus. I can start getting my life back.
