Night of the Lupus (or why I need to take a nap all the time)
I
Over the past few weeks, I've been feeling kind of fatigued all the time, and I get a lot of migraines lately. I went to the doctor and asked to have some blood tests done. That same week I got the results back - the doctor tested my kidney function, which was normal, and my thyroid, which was a bit high. He also ordered another blood test whose name has a bunch of letters and numbers (A1C1? I forget) but which, if it is positive, indicates lupus. It was positive. I freaked out, but probably shouldn't have. Then I went to the doctor again, and he ordered another test, an anti-double strand DNA antibody test, at least I hope I called it by its correct name. I had blood drawn for that at the lab on Friday. I will find out the results in a few days. I'm kind of worried that I do have it. Just in case, though, I'm avoiding the sun as much as possible (UV rays can bring on an attack, or flare) and getting lots of rest. I already told my family, and they have been very supportive. Even if it turns out I don't have lupus after all, there is something wrong with me, and I need to know what it is so I can deal with it. I can't just sit here and cry about it. I did that when I found out about the first test, and I'm done crying.I am trying to cheer myself up and put on a brave face, because those around me are generally losing their shit over this. I know I'm going to live with this for a good 20 years at least, if I do have it - 75% of lupus sufferers live for at least 20 years after diagnosis, if I remember what I read correctly. So either way, I have to be tough and do what I have to do to have a good quality of life.
I also did some research on Wikipedia and the Lupus Foundation of America's website, www.lupus.org. I suggest you go there if you want to know more about lupus.
Whoever reads this, please comment, even if it's just to say "shut up you whiny (@^#!"
I changed my LJ theme for a reason.
Over the past few weeks, I've been feeling kind of fatigued all the time, and I get a lot of migraines lately. I went to the doctor and asked to have some blood tests done. That same week I got the results back - the doctor tested my kidney function, which was normal, and my thyroid, which was a bit high. He also ordered another blood test whose name has a bunch of letters and numbers (A1C1? I forget) but which, if it is positive, indicates lupus. It was positive. I freaked out, but probably shouldn't have. Then I went to the doctor again, and he ordered another test, an anti-double strand DNA antibody test, at least I hope I called it by its correct name. I had blood drawn for that at the lab on Friday. I will find out the results in a few days. I'm kind of worried that I do have it. Just in case, though, I'm avoiding the sun as much as possible (UV rays can bring on an attack, or flare) and getting lots of rest. I already told my family, and they have been very supportive. Even if it turns out I don't have lupus after all, there is something wrong with me, and I need to know what it is so I can deal with it. I can't just sit here and cry about it. I did that when I found out about the first test, and I'm done crying.I am trying to cheer myself up and put on a brave face, because those around me are generally losing their shit over this. I know I'm going to live with this for a good 20 years at least, if I do have it - 75% of lupus sufferers live for at least 20 years after diagnosis, if I remember what I read correctly. So either way, I have to be tough and do what I have to do to have a good quality of life.
I also did some research on Wikipedia and the Lupus Foundation of America's website, www.lupus.org. I suggest you go there if you want to know more about lupus.
Whoever reads this, please comment, even if it's just to say "shut up you whiny (@^#!"
I changed my LJ theme for a reason.