yes it is lupus

[patricia mary]

Hi There

Went to Dr D'Crux this morning for results, yes it is lupus!!!
Not happy about having it, but at least now my GP knows it is not in my head, so do my family and friends.
He was going to get me started on steriods, but as I have a bad chest infection, he said he wanted to play safe, and not start them till infection clears up.
He is going to put me on anti malaria drugs, but again playing safe till I get to see an optician for some eye tests, then I can go ahead with them.
I thought I would be given some thiing to make me feel a little better, but I understand, and appreciate his caution. I feel reassured that I am in very good
hands, and he is not just throwing pills at me!
Thanks for all the advice, I couldnt have got this far without you all.
Any one out there got any help with giving up smoking?? I know I have to do it.
Thanks
Pat

[telebird]

hi patricia,
i`m so sorry for having lupus ..my prayers for you ..
with giving up smoking i found you like gym and exersises it will help you too much for that and ask your doctor cause there is things that helps you for that (like medications)

love Walaa

:flowers: :flowers: :flowers: :wave:

[lin]

Hi Pat, wow you now no what your up against, i know the having it is horrible, but it must be so good to know you can at least put a name to why your feeling this way.

I'm so happy for you if you no what i mean :) Linda xx

[Sannie]

Hi Pat

I am SO pleased you have been diagnosed with lupus! LOLOL!

Your doctor is quite right not to prescribe steroids as they can exasberate infections and as you have'nt taken them before you obviously need to be extra careful.

Just make sure you keep pestering the doctors to prescribe the medications once you are over this chest infection!

Take care and do keep in touch!

Love
Sannie

[annhutchi]

HI Pat-So glad you will now get the help you have needed for so long!!! Let us know how you get along!! ANNH

[carrie]

hi pat
im glad things went well for you today.
as for giving up smoking,i done it last aug,i went from about 40 a day to o.it took alot of planning ahead,if you are intrested how i done it i will help you but itll be a long post and my hands are playing up.so please get in touch
carrie :wave: :wave: :wave:

[Mari_77]

:wave: Hi Pat, I'm glad you've got a doctor you like and trust. I know what you mean, it's a relief to know everything is not in your head. I felt the same way.

As for smoking. I've never smoked. Ask your GP for some of the medications to help. There is a patch and other meds that will help.

Good luck!! :flowers:

[RosemaryP]

With smoking, start doing no no zones. No smoking inside the house, that cuts down consumption BIG time, particularly in the winter! No one gives up first time around. Chest infections, well I can give you no advice either I have been battling them since January.

[sheila t]

Pat, I am sorry it is Lupus, but now hope your G.P will have alot more understanding about Lupus and more respect for you....I am on Steroids and Plaq...and have my eyes tested each year...Anyway as for the smoking, gave up a few times myself, not smoking again..Grrrrr, but doing better this time, it is hard....Chat soon I hope.
Love Sheila

[Clare.T]

I hope this will mean you'll soon be feeling much better.
Maybe you can stop smoking for the chest infection while psyching yourself up every which way for the future.

My greater London local authority has lots of Stop Smoking schemes Smoking reduces the effectiveness of the anti malarials. If you aren't on any pain killers perahps you could ask about that.

Anyway I hope you can allow yourself a very big told -you -so - smirk for all the doubters.

Guilt them silly ! :)
Don't forget to start educating them about lupus and get all the help you can

Hugs
Clare :flowers:

[Lily]

Hi Pat,
Glad that you have your diagnosis and hopefully with the right meds you will start feeling a lot better soon.

Take care,

love
Lily

[gladm]

Hi Pat. :wave:
I'm pleased that your appointment went well. :) I know that a diagnosis of a chronis illness is not what we want, but if we have it, it's good that we know how to deal with it.
Hope your chest infection clears up and you get on the right meds soon. Keep us posted on how things are going. love gladm. :flowers:

[Caro]

Hi Patricia Mary
I am so glad you have a firm diagnosis - not that I'd wish lupus on anybody.
It does really help to know what you are dealing with .
Your rheumy sounds excellent.

[patricia mary]

Hi

Thank you all so much for your messages, I am still in shock, I dont think it has really sunk in. I have been hounding the doctors for a year, saying something is wrong with me, now I have the answers I dont know what to think! Can't be pleased can I ? LOL LOL

I feel low, think it is also due to the infection, and antibiotics I am on, plus the fight to get a dx is now over!

I guess now I have to turn my energy on to helping myself, like gathering the information I need to keep as well as possible.

And yes, those ciggies have to go, easier said than done, but I don't really have a choice, I need to do my bit to help me stay well, can't leave it all to the doctors!

Thanks, for the advice on it, I think I will talk to my gp about "quit smoking programs" I was thinking about patches, but wonder if they would upset my lupus.

My head is in a whirl with it all.
Anyway, thanks again to everyone who has posted, you really are a great bunch of Lupies!!!!
Pat

[seska]

Hi Pat

I am so pleased you have answers at last. A dx of lupus is never 'good' news - but such a relief isn't it?! I sure felt that way too. I am also glad u found Dr D'Cruz to be the right doctor.........he is also my rheumy and I have found him to be excellent.

all the very best, take it easy on yourself for a while - this takes a bit of time to get your head around!

love Seska x x x :flowers:

[hannah1986]

Hiya I'm glad you know what you're dealing with now :)

[sam101360]

Hi all:

I am newly diagnosed with Lupus. I am 42 and have already survived ovarian cancer, had no symptoms that I know of except for a rash. The dermotoligst did a biopsy....and bingo I have Lupus. I am scared and don't really know what to expect. I know many of you suffered for years before the diagnosis...will it start for me? What does it mean? I have just had the blood test...results in by next week - is the biopsy conclusive (does anyone know)?

Thanks for any help you can give. :cry: :unsure:

[lupie lou]

:wave: :wave:

Hi Ya

I think the eye test before med's is to monitor any deteriation once on them cos some can cause probs at high dose's so hence the test!

Glad ya got a D/X not thats its SLE but at least ya no it aint all in ya head!!!!!!!!

And as for smoking well i lasted once for 2yrs put on 3 stone, my astma got worse cos i was so big ect, then the added weight on me knees played **** with me R/A so stupid me went back to it :angry: should have persivered!
But will have to try again, trouble is worrying about all the illness ect, makes me worse :angry:
but you will do it when the time is right for you, mabe wait till you have excepted your D/X (if we do) then try dont try to do all at once,.

BEST OF LUCK
love lou xxxxxxxxx