Here is a little about me. I have been diagnosed with Lupus since 1992. I have lived with pain in joint since I was in Junior High school and was not sure what the problem was until I developed Pleurisy in my lungs. I went from hospital to hospital with the same diagnoses; that I was having heart burn and etc. I was given inflammatory drugs and antibiotics to assist with the problem. I am aware that the inflammatory drugs were the only thing really assisting me with my pain and infection but soon I would be back to the hospital with the same problem in a matter of only weeks due to running out of the medicine.

 Doctors couldn’t tell me why I was having pain or episodes of pleurisy (inflammation of the lining around your lungs) and Para cardio (inflammatory issues with the lining of the heart muscle). This pain was unbearable and I was bed ridden for quite sometime. I decided to take matters in my own hands and scheduled an appointment for Rheumatologist. Dr Shepard was able to diagnose me with Lupus with kidney involvement.

I was very lucky to catch this so early and now at 39 yrs old, I have been on prednisone, plaquenil and inflammatory drugs to take care of my health. I know many that didn’t get this lucky.I know when I was told about Lupus, My doctor informed about the incorrect information in the internet. There are new drug therapies now that changed the life expectancy from 5 yrs to full life expectancy but at the time they stated 5 yrs. I of course didn’t head his warnings and being human did exactly what he told me not too. I have now been a member of the lupus foundation and have volunteered to assist with events. My opinion is that they have provided the best information about lupus and if you are looking for support they do have information about support groups in your state. I wish more shows would provide more information and get the word out there for education on lupus. We do not have a telethon or large support groups. We do have some celebrity involvement but not a lot of assistance. I believe if more people knew about this disease and knew what to do and where to go for assistance, a lot more people would be as fortunate as me.