Lupus Forum - Lupus

Hi, Im 24 years old and have been recently diagnosed with lupus. Im looking for some comforting words and positive people to talk to that know what im going threw.

My doctor first discovered the possibility that I might have Lupus back when I was still in high school. After he sent me to rheumatologist. All he was concerned about was why I was anemic, he never once brought up the possibility of lupus.

When i was 4yrs I was told I had Irritable Bowl syndrome. When I hit puberty I was diagnosed with Non Ulcerus Pepsia, Polocystic Ovarian Sydrom, Anemia, Chemical Depression, Rhumetory arthritis, TMJ (Jaw Disorder), which gives me ear infections. I also have the "Butterfly" rash on my face. Every few months I spend 4 weeks in the Doctors Office pissing in a cup because my kidneys flare and I also get bad chest pains, to were I can barely breath, it feels like my heart is being stabbed. I aslo had to stop running in cross country because we discovered I had bad knees.

My doctor has not officially diagnosed me with lupus, he said to do so could seriously mess up my insurance, and I cant afford all these test and doctor visists without my insurance, so we just handle my "lupus" one "flare" at a time.

My most recent battle right now is my knees. I had surgery on my left knee about three weeks ago, the doctor had to repair my ACL, both Meniscus, they also found upon my surgery that my cartilage had been deteriorating and I have holes in my bones, it took them 2 hours and 40 min to repair all the damage(the surgery was only supposed to take 2 hours), after waiting in the waiting room for over the 2hrs my mom got scared and started to pray that i lived. well I did, but my recovery is going sooo slow.

Ive actually lost 15pnds not being able to stomach food. My mood sometimes get out of control, i either get violently angry or manic depression. I get so flustered during physical therapy seeing other people, who have had close to the same type of surgery as myself, progress faster than I have. walking on their own while I struggle with my brace and crutches.

Does it ever end? I feel like I live at my doctors office. Help!