My doctor believes that I'm developing lupus. Before I turned 24, I thought I was as healthy as anyone can be. Now I'm 25, and everything seems to be falling apart. I mean, lupus?? Seriously??? I read that you have recently been tested for ANAs and that they came back positive. I'm wondering how you're doing. You must have symptoms, because doctors don't just offer these kinds of blood tests for no reason. Have you been feeling as tired as I have? I don't even do anything to merit exhaustion, but sometimes I feel like I've just climbed a big hill when I've only walked a block.
When my doctor met me for the first time this summer, he listened to my symptoms and checked my joints. He said that I looked pretty good and the blood test results from other doctors indicated that I'm healthy. Nevertheless, he prescribed me with Plaquenil for my joint/muscle pain and drew blood for his own tests. I asked him what it could be that was causing my discomfort; he wasn't sure but he was nearly certain it wasn't lupus. I saw the doctor again, last week. His thinking had completely changed. My "complement C4" is low, and apparently that is a dead-on indicator of lupus in progress. He said that it was a good thing that he had me on the Plaquenil and that I should watch my diet and exercise when I can. He said he won't make the diagnosis "until" I have my first flare.
So now what? Watch my diet, sure, but does this mean that a flare is inevitable? What is a flare going to feel like? A best friend in high school lost her mom to lupus ... I don't want to die!!?!
What is a girl to do, Gaga? Getting older is the pits...
