Guest guest Posted March 26, 2004 Report Share Posted March 26, 2004 Kim, Your symptoms sound very much like SLE, although the sores on your fingers are not any that I am familiar with. You should definitely avoid sunlight and fluorescent lighting, and limit your time in front of your computer screen unless you have a filter for it. All of these things emit UV rays that can trigger the rashes on our skin. In terms of the disease itself, depression is usually a part of it because of pain and discomfort which prevents us from getting enough sound sleep on a nightly basis. It starts a vicious cycle of pain/sleep deprivation/depression/more pain/more sleep loss/ more depression, and so on. The only way to stop the spiraling effect is to use medical intervention in the form of an antidepressant medication, and sometimes additional psychotherapy to help build coping skills. Joining a support group like this one is a very positive step in the right direction, too. As I said in an earlier email, I live in Santa , CA. I am the 55 year old, single adoptive mother of four, grandmother of two, and have two sons still at home to raise. One in high school, and my youngest one soon to be in middle school. No more babies to rock in this house. Boohoo. I was dx'd with SLE, RA, Sjogren's, chronic Lyme's, acute/chronic Myofibrositis, Anemia, and non- insulin dependent Diabetes. All of this between the ages of 30 and 45, although my symptoms began when I was about ten years old. I was just accused of being a lazy child, and a hypochondriac. You know, the "it's all in your head" line that doctors are so fond of. LOL I currently take Zorprin (nsaid), 3 diabetic oral drugs, Plaquenil, Iron, daily diuretics to keep my lungs clear enough to breathe, thyroid, Prozac (antidepressant), and a pile of pills so high I should rattle when I walk. LOL I take 18 pills after breakfast each morning, and 9 after dinner. Then, one or two during the night which have to be taken on a completely empty stomach. Isn't THAT special? NOT. So, where in Oakley are you? I used to know people in Brentwood, and out in the farm country, too. They have a nut and fruit packing business, as well as orchards. Continente was the name of the family. You may know the business? Anyway, welcome, again to the group. You will find many friends, here, but remember that we are all sick, more or less, and if you don't get immediate responses to your posts, have patience, or resend your post. Someone will have an answer or know where to get it for you. Loving hugs, MM aka: Mike, one of the moderators Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 26, 2004 Report Share Posted March 26, 2004 Hi all, My name is Kim. I am a 38 yo sahm to 6 great kids, 5 boys and an 11 mo princess.) My hubby is a loan officer, and we live in the SF bay area here in CA. My symptoms of lupus started almost right after my dd was born, although I didn't recognize what was going on. I got post partum depression for a short time. I started on Zoloft, but it made me violently ill, so I stopped taking it, and I felt better and brighter. Shortly after that, I started getting horrific headaches and terrible joint pain in my hands. My hands would go numb just from driving the car. So my Dr said that she thought I had Carpal Tunnel and migraines. She ran some labs, and my ESR was elevated and the CRP was abnormal. She checked back through my labs when I mentioned that in 8-00, when I was about to deliver my 3 yo, my ESR was in the 70s and a Dr then told me I had lupus. Then my ob/gyn said, no, that it was normal to have a sed rate that high with being pg. Well, Ihad put that all out of mind until the new series of lab work. My Dr then ran the ANA which was negative, but she said that didn't matter, it could still be lupus. I ended up switching Drs as I was (and still am) breastfeeding my dd. My Dr told me she wasn't comfortable treating me for headaches while bf'ing. So I found a new Dr who reffered me to the Rheumatologist. She said she thinks I have lupus, but we needed to rule other things out first. We just ruled out carpal tunnel, as I had a nerve conduction study, and it was borderline abnormal in one arm and normal in the other. My other symptoms include severe headache daily, causing me to go to the Dr once a week for a pain shot, butterfly rash on my face, sores in my mouth, fatigue, and now depression. I have also been noticing some new things that maybe some fellow loopies are experienced with: I have been getting these terrible sores on my fingers. What they look like are very deep paper cuts. They come on the fingertips, and they are so deep and painful that when I have them I can't use the computer and even have a tough timeof doing small things like changing my dd's diapers. Also, I have noticed that I can't tolerate not using the bathroom when I have to go. I used to be able to hold my bladder easily, but now when I have to urinate, my back starts to hurt so bad, so quick. Could my kidneys be having a problem? I am on Prednisone, 10 mgs a day. I was on an elevated dose to try and help the headaches, and am tapered down now. I also take Nortriptalyne, 50 mgs a night, for headaches, and Verapamil, 180 mgs a day, for my elevated blood pressure. I also take Vicodin as needed for real bad pain, to try and keep me out of the urgent care clinic. I have been such a healthy person up until my dd was born. I have read that stress and hormones can play a part in triggering lupus. My dh and I have had a very stressful 3 years, and it is amazing that our family is still as strong as it is. My dh is bi-polar, and went through making 125,000. a year to losing his job due to his illness (well, the errors he made due to his illness) and was on disability for 3 months. He then found a job making 1/3 of his previous salary and we had to move and give up one of our cars. Well, to make a long sad story short, we went through being homeless for 2 months while I was pg with my dd and my dh started drinking as well. It has been a long hard road to get back on our feet, but we made it and our children are well adjusted. I think alot of the stress finally got to me and manifested through my health. My dh is doing well now, making a better income (not near what it was before, but we have also learned to live within our means). He is on good meds to control his depression, and we have 2 cars again.) He has been an incredible source of strength and frustration for me. Strange, but true.;o) Well, I have babbled enough. One thing about me is that I am a cahtterbox, lol. It is just so nice to find a place I feel comfortable talking about myself. I sure hope to be a good member, and a good friend to all of you! Thanks for letting me join.) Kim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 26, 2004 Report Share Posted March 26, 2004 -Hi Kim, welcome to the group!! I am , 37 y/o lupus for 1 year. I have had similiar symptoms to you. I am so sorry to hear of all your troubles, when it rains it pours!! (I have a lot of extra troubles too...my oldest child is severely autistic) I have 3 kids, boy 10, girl 8, and boy 5. Hope you find the support here you need, I know I do... -- In LUPIES , " dollybabe521 " <dollybabe521@y...> wrote: > > Hi all, > My name is Kim. I am a 38 yo sahm to 6 great kids, 5 boys > and an 11 mo princess.) My hubby is a loan officer, and we live in > the SF bay area here in CA. > My symptoms of lupus started almost right after my dd was > born, although I didn't recognize what was going on. I got post > partum depression for a short time. I started on Zoloft, but it made > me violently ill, so I stopped taking it, and I felt better and > brighter. Shortly after that, I started getting horrific headaches > and terrible joint pain in my hands. My hands would go numb just from > driving the car. So my Dr said that she thought I had Carpal Tunnel > and migraines. She ran some labs, and my ESR was elevated and the CRP > was abnormal. She checked back through my labs when I mentioned that > in 8-00, when I was about to deliver my 3 yo, my ESR was in the 70s > and a Dr then told me I had lupus. Then my ob/gyn said, no, that it > was normal to have a sed rate that high with being pg. > Well, Ihad put that all out of mind until the new series > of lab work. My Dr then ran the ANA which was negative, but she said > that didn't matter, it could still be lupus. I ended up switching Drs > as I was (and still am) breastfeeding my dd. My Dr told me she wasn't > comfortable treating me for headaches while bf'ing. So I found a new > Dr who reffered me to the Rheumatologist. She said she thinks I have > lupus, but we needed to rule other things out first. We just ruled > out carpal tunnel, as I had a nerve conduction study, and it was > borderline abnormal in one arm and normal in the other. > My other symptoms include severe headache daily, causing > me to go to the Dr once a week for a pain shot, butterfly rash on my > face, sores in my mouth, fatigue, and now depression. > I have also been noticing some new things that maybe some > fellow loopies are experienced with: > I have been getting these terrible sores on my fingers. > What they look like are very deep paper cuts. They come on the > fingertips, and they are so deep and painful that when I have them I > can't use the computer and even have a tough timeof doing small > things like changing my dd's diapers. > Also, I have noticed that I can't tolerate not using the > bathroom when I have to go. I used to be able to hold my bladder > easily, but now when I have to urinate, my back starts to hurt so > bad, so quick. Could my kidneys be having a problem? > I am on Prednisone, 10 mgs a day. I was on an elevated > dose to try and help the headaches, and am tapered down now. I also > take Nortriptalyne, 50 mgs a night, for headaches, and Verapamil, 180 > mgs a day, for my elevated blood pressure. I also take Vicodin as > needed for real bad pain, to try and keep me out of the urgent care > clinic. > I have been such a healthy person up until my dd was > born. I have read that stress and hormones can play a part in > triggering lupus. My dh and I have had a very stressful 3 years, and > it is amazing that our family is still as strong as it is. > My dh is bi-polar, and went through making 125,000. a > year to losing his job due to his illness (well, the errors he made > due to his illness) and was on disability for 3 months. He then found > a job making 1/3 of his previous salary and we had to move and give > up one of our cars. > Well, to make a long sad story short, we went through > being homeless for 2 months while I was pg with my dd and my dh > started drinking as well. > It has been a long hard road to get back on our feet, > but we made it and our children are well adjusted. I think alot of > the stress finally got to me and manifested through my health. > My dh is doing well now, making a better income (not > near what it was before, but we have also learned to live within our > means). He is on good meds to control his depression, and we have 2 > cars again.) > He has been an incredible source of strength and > frustration for me. Strange, but true.;o) > Well, I have babbled enough. One thing about me is that > I am a cahtterbox, lol. It is just so nice to find a place I feel > comfortable talking about myself. > I sure hope to be a good member, and a good friend to > all of you! Thanks for letting me join.) > Kim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 26, 2004 Report Share Posted March 26, 2004 Kim, all that and 6 kids????? How do you handle it? I've always had huge respect for people with more than one kid. Having three of my own and loving them dearly is great, yet I cannot imagine having more. I'm wiped out trying to keep up the pace with my three. 5 boys on top of that, although I don't know. Boys are fast, but girls are fussier, I think but have no first hand experience. Not being able to hold it when you have to go may be due to your kidneys but not necessarily. Did you ask your doctor whether it could be a result of childbirth. I know some of my friends have that problem. Welcome, I'm sure you will feel comfortable here. All the member are very supportive of each other and we have fun too. Mojo Newbie intro (long) > > Hi all, > My name is Kim. I am a 38 yo sahm to 6 great kids, 5 boys > and an 11 mo princess.) My hubby is a loan officer, and we live in > the SF bay area here in CA. > My symptoms of lupus started almost right after my dd was > born, although I didn't recognize what was going on. I got post > partum depression for a short time. I started on Zoloft, but it made > me violently ill, so I stopped taking it, and I felt better and > brighter. Shortly after that, I started getting horrific headaches > and terrible joint pain in my hands. My hands would go numb just from > driving the car. So my Dr said that she thought I had Carpal Tunnel > and migraines. She ran some labs, and my ESR was elevated and the CRP > was abnormal. She checked back through my labs when I mentioned that > in 8-00, when I was about to deliver my 3 yo, my ESR was in the 70s > and a Dr then told me I had lupus. Then my ob/gyn said, no, that it > was normal to have a sed rate that high with being pg. > Well, Ihad put that all out of mind until the new series > of lab work. My Dr then ran the ANA which was negative, but she said > that didn't matter, it could still be lupus. I ended up switching Drs > as I was (and still am) breastfeeding my dd. My Dr told me she wasn't > comfortable treating me for headaches while bf'ing. So I found a new > Dr who reffered me to the Rheumatologist. She said she thinks I have > lupus, but we needed to rule other things out first. We just ruled > out carpal tunnel, as I had a nerve conduction study, and it was > borderline abnormal in one arm and normal in the other. > My other symptoms include severe headache daily, causing > me to go to the Dr once a week for a pain shot, butterfly rash on my > face, sores in my mouth, fatigue, and now depression. > I have also been noticing some new things that maybe some > fellow loopies are experienced with: > I have been getting these terrible sores on my fingers. > What they look like are very deep paper cuts. They come on the > fingertips, and they are so deep and painful that when I have them I > can't use the computer and even have a tough timeof doing small > things like changing my dd's diapers. > Also, I have noticed that I can't tolerate not using the > bathroom when I have to go. I used to be able to hold my bladder > easily, but now when I have to urinate, my back starts to hurt so > bad, so quick. Could my kidneys be having a problem? > I am on Prednisone, 10 mgs a day. I was on an elevated > dose to try and help the headaches, and am tapered down now. I also > take Nortriptalyne, 50 mgs a night, for headaches, and Verapamil, 180 > mgs a day, for my elevated blood pressure. I also take Vicodin as > needed for real bad pain, to try and keep me out of the urgent care > clinic. > I have been such a healthy person up until my dd was > born. I have read that stress and hormones can play a part in > triggering lupus. My dh and I have had a very stressful 3 years, and > it is amazing that our family is still as strong as it is. > My dh is bi-polar, and went through making 125,000. a > year to losing his job due to his illness (well, the errors he made > due to his illness) and was on disability for 3 months. He then found > a job making 1/3 of his previous salary and we had to move and give > up one of our cars. > Well, to make a long sad story short, we went through > being homeless for 2 months while I was pg with my dd and my dh > started drinking as well. > It has been a long hard road to get back on our feet, > but we made it and our children are well adjusted. I think alot of > the stress finally got to me and manifested through my health. > My dh is doing well now, making a better income (not > near what it was before, but we have also learned to live within our > means). He is on good meds to control his depression, and we have 2 > cars again.) > He has been an incredible source of strength and > frustration for me. Strange, but true.;o) > Well, I have babbled enough. One thing about me is that > I am a cahtterbox, lol. It is just so nice to find a place I feel > comfortable talking about myself. > I sure hope to be a good member, and a good friend to > all of you! Thanks for letting me join.) > Kim > > > > > " The LUPIES Store " Come check out our store... > http://www.cafepress.com/thelupies > > " The LUPIES Web Page " > http://www.itzarion.com/lupusgroup.html > > " The LUPIES online photo albums! " > Check out what your fellow Lupies look like... > http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?username=lupies > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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