I am sick with Lupus and need help! Can anyone answer my questions? I would like to find someone to talk to!?

I have been sick afflicted with a mystery illness since I was 13. By the time I was 18, I had a heart problem, liver disease, a ruptured Gallbladder and Peritonitis (infected abdominal cavity) from which I almost died. I am now 23. For the past three years I have had skin rash, mouth sores, nausea, bad joint pain in my knees and shoulders, fevers, tremors and left-side arm/hand weakeness. In the past year I was in the ER for four bouts of Pleurisy, fluid on the heart and Pnemonia.My doctor told me I had Fibromyalgia and Lupus. Now they are suspecting MS (Multiple Sclerosis) as well. I am depressed and I can’t cry anymore. I can’t work and I am tired all the time. I take Vicodon, Percocet, Promethazine and Naprosyn. I still don’t feel well and I am suicidal. I have a good support system but I am tired of being sick. I want to feel good and be young. I want the opportunity to have children and get married. I have a wonderful fiance and he loves me. Can someone give me advice? Hope?

Lupus is a thief that steals energy and health, hopes and dreams, and plans for the future. We do get sick and tired of being sick and tired. And I, too, have been suicidal as a result of my lupus losses. I’m not that way now. One of the hardest things is the loss of control. But you do have some control. I am not talking about the power of positive thinking stuff or new age think yourself healthy. I am talking about some positive things you can do. So here is the short list. Hope it helps.

Stay out of the sun.

Learn to handle stress. Meditate. Do small amounts of moderate exercise like walking.

Strive for a healthy diet. With each thing you choose to eat ask yourself if it creates health or destroys it.

Journal. Write for 20 minutes a day every day.

Learn all you can about your medical condition.

Do some kind of spiritual or inspirational reading in the morning and at night.

Do good for others. It improves the world AND the functioning of your immune system. What can you do? Write a letter, make a phone call, listen.

Mild exercise reduces pain and increases energy.

Set reasonable small goals.

Change your thinking. You can’t control what is happening but you can control your reaction to it.

Make a list of how much of you still DOES work.

Give thanks for small things-hot water, electricity, a roof over your head, food in your belly, a bed in which to sleep. Half the world does not have these things.

Get professional counseling. A good way to find the right counselor is to call an oncology clinic. Their counselors understand our losses.

Go to www.lupus.org and click on the take action link to email your senators and congressional rep asking them to cosponsor the lupus REACH amendment.

Get others to email them too.

Learn to be fully here in the present moment, instead of in your head thinking about the lupus. Thich Naht Han is a good author to start with. Try Miracle of Mindfulness or Peace Is Every Step.

Resolve to comply with your treatment regimen.

Join a support group. You might get support AND you might be the one to give it. Find support groups at www.lupus.org

Tong Ren Testimonial_ARD (Adhesion Related Disorder)_CFS

Be Sociable, Share!

•