Hello, my name is Rebecca. I am 30 years old and was diagnosed with connective tissue autoimmune disorder, Sjogren's, positive Thyroid antibodies, and my doctor says she's 99% sure I have Lupus. I was diagnosed almost 3 years ago. I have a positive ANA but my sed rate has always been okay so that's why she still diagnoses me with non-specific autoimmune connective tissue disorder.
It was about 6 months of going to different doctors and spending a fortune on testing before I was finally referred to the right doctor. In the beginning I had hair loss, severe dry skin, severe dry mouth and dry eyes. I had worn contacts for 10 years and suddenly my eyes felt like sandpaper when I blinked. I was very weak and tired and felt like I had the flu. I also would sometimes get ulcers all in my mouth, too many to count sometimes.
My symptoms all were triggered I believe initially by taking birth control pills. I was about to get married and almost immediately after I started taking the pill I started having all my symptoms. I've read on different sites that some people with Lupus can't take birth control because it can trigger a flare, but I wanted to make a point to put that information on here, because I know I would have had a flare eventually but I think taking the pill is what initially caused all my symptoms to appear.
I have taken rounds of Prednisone and took Plaquenil for about a year. I gained about 20 lbs from the steroids and have not been able to get the weight off. My husband and I decided we wanted to try to have a baby so I quit the Plaquenil during that time and have not started back again. Due to infertility in both my husband and I, we just adopted our first daughter. She is 4 months old now and the joy of our lives!
At this stage in my life, my biggest problem is fatigue and a husband who isn't the most sympathetic to my illness. I have recently been having problems with bronchitis and breathing problems and I'm really afraid it might end up being something related to my Lupus. I have a history also of Mitral Valve Prolapse and low platelets since I was a teenager.
My sister has a thyroid disorder but besides that, I have no friends or relatives or know anyone who has gone through all the things I've been through so I'm so thankful to have found this forum.
I would love to get to know everyone on here!
Rebecca
It was about 6 months of going to different doctors and spending a fortune on testing before I was finally referred to the right doctor. In the beginning I had hair loss, severe dry skin, severe dry mouth and dry eyes. I had worn contacts for 10 years and suddenly my eyes felt like sandpaper when I blinked. I was very weak and tired and felt like I had the flu. I also would sometimes get ulcers all in my mouth, too many to count sometimes.
My symptoms all were triggered I believe initially by taking birth control pills. I was about to get married and almost immediately after I started taking the pill I started having all my symptoms. I've read on different sites that some people with Lupus can't take birth control because it can trigger a flare, but I wanted to make a point to put that information on here, because I know I would have had a flare eventually but I think taking the pill is what initially caused all my symptoms to appear.
I have taken rounds of Prednisone and took Plaquenil for about a year. I gained about 20 lbs from the steroids and have not been able to get the weight off. My husband and I decided we wanted to try to have a baby so I quit the Plaquenil during that time and have not started back again. Due to infertility in both my husband and I, we just adopted our first daughter. She is 4 months old now and the joy of our lives!
At this stage in my life, my biggest problem is fatigue and a husband who isn't the most sympathetic to my illness. I have recently been having problems with bronchitis and breathing problems and I'm really afraid it might end up being something related to my Lupus. I have a history also of Mitral Valve Prolapse and low platelets since I was a teenager.
My sister has a thyroid disorder but besides that, I have no friends or relatives or know anyone who has gone through all the things I've been through so I'm so thankful to have found this forum.
I would love to get to know everyone on here!
Rebecca