I am 53 yr old white grandma, single after 2 marriages.  2 grown sons married to sisters, a 9 yr old grandson and a 3 yr old grand daughter.  I have had lupus for about 10 years now.  Was so bad at first that I was only able to work for about 2 yrs after diagnosis.  I have been living on disability for some time now, living alone on a small acreage in the country.  My second husband just could not deal with my illness.  Luckily thru that divorce I am able to have my own home as I had worked for 37 years in my own career.

I have gained 60 pounds in the last 2 - 3 years as I have been on prednisone for the entire time & still am on it, along with the other meds for lupus.  Tho my Dr. just did a bone scan after 7 yrs and we found that I now have osteoporosis so am on that med now, along with calcium, vit D.  Also taking meds for high blood pressure, have osteo & rheumatoid arthritis that I am combatting.  I have had to have shots of cortisone for my knees and hips the last couple years.   Had heart & lung issues last years because of my lupus flares. 

You know, with lupus you just never know how you are going to feel the next day or next week or next month to be able to make plans or try to even work a part time job to try to make ends meet.

I feel that, looking back now, my Mother probably had lupus and was never diagnosed.  As a child I just thought she was a hypochondriac.  But as I am now living with lupus I understand so much about her health back then.  Also I had a hysterectomy about 1 1/2 years before I was diagnosed with the lupus.

I have been trying off & on for the last 2 - 3 years to lose this weight.  I know that I would not have to take high blood pressure meds if I could just lose this weight,  but I am sooo tired sooo much of the time it is very hard.   It is difficult to walk most days.  I bruise so very easily also.   No one really knows how difficult weight problems with diseases are until they are living them.

Thanks for listening.