My name is Joe and I suffer from Lupus. I was first diagnosed with this disease about five years ago, and it has taken a toll on my life ever since.
When I first experienced the symptoms of Lupus, it was like nothing I had ever experienced before. The exhaustion, the joint pain, the rashes; nothing made sense. I was seeing multiple doctors and specialists trying to figure out what was going on. It was a long, arduous process until finally I was diagnosed with Lupus.
I have been managing my Lupus ever since then, but it’s been a roller coaster. There are days when I feel relatively well and normal, and then there are days when I’m completely exhausted and in so much pain that I can barely move. The unpredictable nature of the disease can be hard to manage and it’s often hard to know how to plan for the future.
No two days of living with Lupus are the same and that often creates a lot of anxiety for me. It’s a daily battle, but I’m determined to keep fighting and to remain positive.
I have also had to make some serious lifestyle changes in order to manage my Lupus. I have had to give up certain activities and hobbies that used to be part of my life, and I have had to adjust my diet to make sure I’m getting the nutrition I need. I have been doing my best to find balance between taking care of my health and enjoying life.
Lupus is an unpredictable disease and I would never wish it upon anyone. But with determination, hope, and the help of doctors and loved ones, I am confident that I can live a life of joy and quality despite my medical condition.