LUPUS - Sharon
In 1993 I was diagnosed with Lupus. This is something they figure I have had since my teens but in 1992 I ran into some complications at the end of my second pregnancy and this started the many questions, running to doctors, tests of all kinds, and maybe some answers to some of the reasons why I had the rash from the sun and was mainly always tired, which I blamed on the extra weight I have always carried. Lupus was diagnosed very quickly after I had my daughter in December, 92.
This is very unusual, as Lupus is usually not easy to diagnose. A patient may have severe symptoms with few abnormal laboratory test results and vice versa.
There are two different kinds of Lupus, Discoird, characterized by a rash only and Systemic (SLE) which inflammatory, multi-system disorder of the immune system.
Some symptoms of Lupus are: Skin Rash, Arthritis, Fever, Anemia, Kidney Damage, Pleurisy, Photosensitivity, Hair Loss, Raynaud's Phenomenon, Seizures, Mouth/Nose ulcers, etc.
If at last 4 of the 11 criteria develop at one time or over a period of time, the patient is likely to have Lupus. However, a diagnosis of SLE can be made in a patient having fewer than four of these symptoms.
In Lupus, the body develops antibodies that react against the person's own normal tissue. Lupus affects individuals differently, and often does not follow a predictable course. A patient may appear fine one week, and at the emergency room the following week with severe problems.
In my case, I have had just about all of the symptoms in the last eight years. This started with a low platelet count at the tail end of my pregnancy, wihich created a risky delivery and advice not to have more family. Because of this blood disorder, I had to go on steroids, which have many side effects, including weight gain, mood swings, the moon face, etc. the steroids help with the pain and stiffness and give you energy, but are dangerous to be on for any length of time. Lupus made my eyes dry, and my eyelids would stick to my eyeballs and tear the skin. Because of this, I have to have all the rippled skin pealed from my eyeballs and now I use an ointment everyday. I also have two cataracts from the steroids I took. About four years ago it affected my vital organs, my lungs, heart, brain and kidneys. Because my kidneys were failing and immunosuppressive drugs and steroid were not helping, I had to take Chemo for a year and a half. In that time a blood clot developed during this time, in which I am very lucky to be here, spending time in the hospital and on blood thinners and getting a bum leg out of the deal. I am slowly getting my strength back from these ordeals and am off my steroids. I do take a Malaria drug that does control my pain and stiffness, but they have to watch my eyes for side effects.
Rest is the basic component to good health and is essential for the lupus patient. The fatigue of lupus is not sleepiness or tiredness from physical exertion, but rather a "bone-tired feeling" or a "Paralysing fatigue." And normal rest does not always refresh or eliminate the tiredness. Stress also plays a role in triggering a flare.
I have tried just about every herbal program there is out there and some of them have worked at times. For a lupus patient or any others dealing with a chronic disease, the emotional aspects can be overwhelming. Sometimes we feel isolated from friends, we worry about not being able to keep up at home yet still feel the need to work outside the home, to take our minds off of our problems. You constantly worry about our family, the grief of knowing that this disease could be life threatening. Depression and anger are common reactions of patients with health problems.
Mary Jean gave me a call, knowing of my problems and hoped I would give her a chance to help me. I have been going to her since spring. I have noticed a big difference in my sleeping pattern, I am not near as stressed as I used to be, things don't bother me near as much and I don't have the mood swings I had. I tend to have more energy and not feel so fatigued. Because of taking chemo, I went into spirituality and was troubled with hot flashes and night sweats and these have just about disappeared.
I also had restless legs at night, which don't bother me anymore, and the pain in my right leg were my blood clot was is gone, and the circulation seems to be better. I had trouble with gout or arthritis in my big toe. That is gone. I don't seem to have the stiffness or arthritis I used to, and I have also lost 20-25 lbs., mainly because I seem to feel much better mentally and emotionally. I have also gone off my high blood pressure pills since I started seeing Mary Jean. I am probably forgetting things. Sometimes it takes a while to realize that all those little things that ached or bothered you just aren't there anymore.
The treatment is very relaxing, I think Mary Jean even catches me nodding off every so often and I can't wait to get to my next appointment. Lupus is related to fibro myalgia in many ways and I would recommend anyone with aches and pains and stress to give Mary Jean a try and see the results.
Sharon Tremeer