Hi,
I am 27 years old and my wife is 31 years old. My wife has suffered from joint pain since I have known her (we met in Aug 99) and has had the problem mis-diagnosed on several occasions. Unfortunately, she returned home 5 weeks ago and showed signs of, what appeared to be, a stress related illness. Since being admitted to hospital, she has been diagnosed with Lupus and sadly, the rare form of the disease (or so we are told), cerebral Lupus.
The symptoms for the cerebral side of the disease came on very rapidly and may have been exacerbated by her hectic lifestyle (she is a year 2 medical student and mother to a 2 year old). She has now been in hospital for 5 weeks and on a rheumatology ward for the last 4 weeks. They are currently treating her Lupus with steroids but are considering immunosuppressant therapy in the near future as the steroids, along with some of the psychiatric medication, do not seem to be conquering the problem.
We, as a family, are new to this disease and I would welcome any advice/support that this forum can offer as we are currently experiencing a very difficult time. My wife does have some 'up/good' days where she shows signs of improvement but these are often followed by 'down/bad' days which I find particularly upsetting, frustrating, distressing and all of the above. She presents with feelings of paranoia, depression and anxiety which are all traits that she has never had before.
My wife is an intelligent, out-going, caring person; I hope that one day she will return to this person but in the meantime, I am looking to support her in the best way I can and would appreciate anyone's help or experiences.
Many thanks for your time and consideration,
Demps
I am 27 years old and my wife is 31 years old. My wife has suffered from joint pain since I have known her (we met in Aug 99) and has had the problem mis-diagnosed on several occasions. Unfortunately, she returned home 5 weeks ago and showed signs of, what appeared to be, a stress related illness. Since being admitted to hospital, she has been diagnosed with Lupus and sadly, the rare form of the disease (or so we are told), cerebral Lupus.
The symptoms for the cerebral side of the disease came on very rapidly and may have been exacerbated by her hectic lifestyle (she is a year 2 medical student and mother to a 2 year old). She has now been in hospital for 5 weeks and on a rheumatology ward for the last 4 weeks. They are currently treating her Lupus with steroids but are considering immunosuppressant therapy in the near future as the steroids, along with some of the psychiatric medication, do not seem to be conquering the problem.
We, as a family, are new to this disease and I would welcome any advice/support that this forum can offer as we are currently experiencing a very difficult time. My wife does have some 'up/good' days where she shows signs of improvement but these are often followed by 'down/bad' days which I find particularly upsetting, frustrating, distressing and all of the above. She presents with feelings of paranoia, depression and anxiety which are all traits that she has never had before.
My wife is an intelligent, out-going, caring person; I hope that one day she will return to this person but in the meantime, I am looking to support her in the best way I can and would appreciate anyone's help or experiences.
Many thanks for your time and consideration,
Demps