Re: welcome newbies to Cheryl

[Guest guest]

Hi Cheryl,

My name is Carol and I have been a part of the group a little over a

week now. I just read your post about yourself and also Your

husband having bipolar. I am 42 and was just diagnosed with Lupus

in December but not officially until about 2 weeks ago. I too have

a husband who has bipolar. He is a good person also but we have had

our struggles and most of our marriage has centered around taking

care of him., I don't have really serious lupus symptoms right now

mostly my feet and legs ache and I have had the Brain Fog and other

light symptoms. I am on Plaquenil and Trilisate until I can get

into a Rheumatologist in August. I guess my biggest fear is that I

will get really sick and my husband won't be able to handle it

because he is so used to being taken care of and looked out for.

Did your Lupus get progressively worse and how did and does your

husband handle things? It is hard for you? Hope I'm not prying too

much. If so just tell me it's none of my business. I just worry

about what the future holds and how to deal with all of it. Thanks

for listening! Carol-

-- In LUPIES , " Cheryl " <lyle-cheryl@c...> wrote:

> Welcome to all newbies I missed welcoming! I get confused and

welcome

> people who have been here awhile and forget real newbies. Oh

well, life

> with lupus fog.

>

> Welcome to the group Pam! This is a friendly place with good

information

> and encouragement. We vent our rage, laugh, and generally try to

help each

> other get though life with illness. I am so sorry you lost your

twins 7

> years ago. That is the worst thing that can happen to anyone. It

sounds

> like you have all your problems under control and you have a good

attitude.

> Most of all can relate to your going crazy type thoughts. The

lame Dr's

> make us feel that way.

>

> I am 57. I have had Lupus since a teen and got my dx in my 40's!

For years

> I was told it was my nerves or they just dxed me in pieces never

seeing the

> whole picture. When I had a fever, it was the flu, when my joints

ached,

> growing pains. Kidney problem? they found deformities. Fatigue?

She seems

> fine now! I had a 75 year old Dr. show me his deformed fingers

and said you

> have joint pain?, Look at this! Your ok. I was 39 at the time.

He was a G

> P. One Dr. told me not to think so much about myself.

>

> When I got my dx it was scary but a big relief too! I was finally

> vindicated! I really was sick. Not crazy or a hypochondriac. I

didn't

> know anything about the thing. I went home to the dictionary and

looked it

> up. It said it is a fatal disease! Yikes!

> That's what you get for looking up stuff in an OLD dictionary.

When I told

> my Mom she cried because the only person she knew who had it

died.

>

> Well, I made it my business to learn all I could on the subject.

Most

> people don't die of it, we just live with pain.

> I also have arthritis, IBS, interstitial cystitis, cognitive

dysfunction

> (lupus fog), TMJ dysfunction, osteoporosis, benign tremors,

fibromyalgia,

> and depression. I probably forgot something due to brain fog. I

had cancer

> 7 years ago, that's why I have interstitial cystitis. I have had

a brain

> hemorrhage and several seizures. I have been on permanent

disability for 7

> years.

>

> I just had my 25th wedding anniversary. My husband is bi-polar

and is hard

> to live with sometimes. He is a very kind, faithful man who tries

hard to

> be a good husband. We have a 22 lb. Manchester Terrier dog named

Lightning

> Spark. His litter mate is a famous champion who has been to the

Westminster

> dog show twice. He is my companion and a good pet.

>

> My favorite hobby is a problem for me now. My husband and I have

been

> ballroom dancing for several years. When I just had lupus I was

able to

> dance twice a week every week. I also worked out regularly at the

gym. I

> took a nap before we went out. I worked part time. When I got

fibromyalgia

> my legs started giving me trouble. They have pins and needles,

pain, and

> some numbness. With all the trouble I aquired it makes it very

hard for me

> to dance now. This has really made me sad. My husband is sad

about it too.

> We also enjoy bird watching and we hiked on short hikes a lot

too. I lost

> so much after my cancer. I went down to 95 lbs and lost all my

muscle tone.

> I am 5'1 " . I tried to get it back but I got fibro and started

having a

> worse time with my lupus too. I couldn't walk without leaning on

someone.

> When I went to physical therapy I couldn't put my feet on the

reclining bike

> peddles. I never got my full strength back and leg strength is

everything

> in dancing. I also get dizzy and loose my balance and fall a lot

even just

> walking much less dancing. My other favorite hobby is reading. I

read all

> types of genra. My favorite book is the Bible and I am a avid

Bible student

> and teacher.

>

> Cheryl in CA

> -- Another New Member-

>

> Hi All:

>

> I am 45 yr old female in Southern California. married, to a great

man. 2

> kids,

> 10 and 14. I lost identical girls twins 7 years ago, and we now

suspect it

> may have been

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Dear Carol,

Sorry I didn't respond sooner. Had putter trouble. I have to go to the Dr. today and run errands so will talk to you later. So glad you wrote me!

From: cjlw61 Sent: Tuesday, April 13, 2004 9:40 PMTo: LUPIES Subject: Re: welcome newbies to Cheryl

Hi Cheryl,My name is Carol and I have been a part of the group a little over a week now. I just read your post about yourself and also Your husband having bipolar. I am 42 and was just diagnosed with Lupus in December but not officially until about 2 weeks ago. I too have a husband who has bipolar. He is a good person also but we have had our struggles