errr hi

[floydo]

Hi guys and gals, never been on a forum chat thingy before but i felt quite alone as a 13 yr old white male with lupus and not knowing anyone else with the condition, decided with persuasion from my mum) to join a discussion board.

Anyway i was diagnose in september 2004 with s.l.e affecting my kidneys, and have finished about 13 sessions of chemo style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sick.gif and i am on lots of pills which i can take quite easily now lol.

Well, bactracking a bit it all started a few weeks before that when i found it difficult walking and had lost my appetite a lot, when i told people i was in pain they thought i was joking, which was quite hurtfull. Even doctors diagnose it as 'in my head' and then one day, at school, i couldnt take anymore and had to go to the doctors where i was sent to a hospital with rubbish fishfingers lol. then i was moved to southampton general where a biopsy was carried out and some silly nurse said i would have a kidney transplant by christmas style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wacko.gif which i didnt. it turned out the pains i my legs was arthuritic (soz, cant spell!) and loads of fluid was stuck inside my right knee, nice.

Soooo, a year on and ive finaly mustered the courage to join this cool thing and maybe find someone to talk to about stuff and problems and my terrible spelling.

Cya'll
Floydo

[Joandublin]

Hi Floydo! style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

Welcome to the site. Sorry about your diagnosis but really glad to hear you are doing so much better than last year. Sounds like you have received some good treatment.

Lupus is a very different disease for each individual so the course of your disease will be different from others. With the right treatment and good monitoring many people live normal active lives with Lupus so dont be overly concerned about some of the members experiences here. Many of them have a severe form of the disease or are not yet diagnosed and are looking for advice and support.

This is a great place for advice, support and information though. I am a bit older than you - 49(!) but there are quite a number of young members here and I am sure some of them will be along soon to welcome you. If you have any questions or worries just post them here and someone will always to along soon to answer you.

Your Mum is also very welcome to join the site if she wanted to chat to others about this disease or just make some new friends. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

Anyway welcome again. Lovely to meet you.

Take care
Joan style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/flowers.gif

[SueC]

<span style="color:#006600">hi ya Floydo

Welcome to the forums. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif
I can guarantee that you'll have a wonderful time here and a lot of info too. If you need help, don't hesitate to ask!

Sue
style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/foryou.gif</span>

[oesa]

Hi Floydo - welcome to the site.

I'm 34, but was diagnosed with SLE when I was 14. I had virtually every symptom known to the disease, but also had the good fortune to be referred to an excellent pediatric nephrologist when my kidneys got involved. There were some ups and downs, but eventually he brought my disease under excellent control. I'm back in remission again after a recent flare (kidneys again) and trying hard to stay that way!

I remember being told before I was diagnosed that I was just trying to get out of school - this was funny in a way, because I was a total nerd - I used to BEG my parents to send me to geek camp, aka summer enrichment school. Couldn't stand the thought of two whole months without school. There was no way I was faking itl! I've come to realize that it might have been easier for them to accept that I was just skiving off school than that I was seriously ill, so that was what they went with until it was absolutely clear that I really was sick, and not faking it...

You've had this disease long enough to know most of the drill about taking care of yourself, taking your meds, etc., so I won't give you any unasked-for advice. But if you ever want to ask for any, ask away. That's what we're all here for.

There are a few under 20's on the boards as well, so I'm sure some of them will pop in soon to say hi too.

It sounds like your docs are taking good care of you. Welcome again - nice to meet you!

Lisa

[Mariposa]

<span style="color:#000066"> style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wavey.gif Hi Floydo,

WELCOME aboard! style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/shakehands.gif

I'm glad you're feeling better and that you've decided to join us. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif
I'm 36, I'm a college student and I'm also a mom to my nine-year old son. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wub.gif
Feel free to ask, vent, and even share with us the good days, a long with bad days; we all have them. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/coffee.gif
Also, don't worry about your spelling, remember, nobody's perfect. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif Just come on in!


Butterfly hugs for you and your mom style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/flowers.gif </span>