I would like to thank Ohmybuhay regular reader Ms. Anonymous for sharing her ordeal.
I also have other readers who have lupus. May this provide them with added information. Thank you Ms. Anonymous
Hi Ms Annie!
How are you?
I was actually diagnosed last July 2011. And it took us so many years of lab tests, medical procedures,etc., etc.,…. before all my doctors concluded and agreed I have Lupus.
I initially had edema (manas), which surprised me one day that i woke up really big, with fluffy arms and face. At that time I was asked to see a Nephrologist to check on my kidneys, which turned out to be normal and okay. I was given diuretics lang to get off the water. Next, i started to grow ‘big’ in terms of weight. It was erratic. I gain today, lose tomorrow. So I went to an Endocrinologist. Who said i could have hypo-thyroid…. but my heart rate is always fast and i perspire a lot which are signs naman that i have hyper-thyroid…. Next I went to see a Cardiologist, a Neurologist, an Orthopedic Doctor, a Special Diseases Specialist and a Dermatologist….just to find out really what’s wrong with me. I was always happy to see ‘normal’ results, but was feeling uncomfortable because i cant deny to myself that there is something wrong.
One day, while doing threadmill for abt 15 mins, i suddenly had manas
One day, while doing threadmill for abt 15 mins, i suddenly had manas again! I didn’t call na my doctors but immediately took Lasix, which abt after an hour, my edema began to subside. I knew then there must be something wrong —- manas doesn’t come and go that fast, i thought….
I was confined in the hospital for executive check-up which brought ‘normal’ results again, but my doctor suggested we go through another series if testing. That is, if im willing to stay for one more night, and ‘willing to spend’ for more…. my husband and I agreed, instead of going home again and not having the peace of mind that i know something is wrong….
I went through abt 8-10 different labtests, ANA is one, kaya when i saw the same test was conducted to your son, i thought lang of sharing a piece of ‘myself’ with you, but hoped and wished your son does NOT have it.
Lupus is something I have learned to embrace already. Its all but having a good outlook in life and having the assurance that i am loved by my husband and family.
Its not easy. But i am still very thankful it is not “C”. With lupus, you don’t have ‘taning’… we can live for as long as we can sustain it. I still live a very normal life. Except on days lang when i have ‘flares’. It is when ‘rashes’ do come out on my face, my arms, and legs. Though mine is more of an SLE, lupus that hits more of my internal organs. Discoid lupus attacks on the skin. I know very few people here in the country who have it too, and its sad how some take it. Filipinos are not yet familiar with lupus, except for some who knew that the former Pres Marcos had it before. But it was certainly not lupus that caused his death. We dont die of lupus. Perhaps it may complicate but not kill anyone. Pangit pa pakinggan, kaya akala nung iba nakakatakot. We just have to familiarize ourselves with it, and proper orientation helps. I also have a support group from the Lupus Foundation of America. Though
Hay naku, sino ba may ayaw ng financial assistance? But ‘Thank You Lord’ for helping us out. Iba nlang din ang matulungan nila if in case.
I also have photosensitivity. Bawal maarawan. Sometimes biglaan I cant walk na. Yun pala my muscles rested for awhile. Manas bigla after gym, yun pala while I was perspiring, my cells collapsed and absorbed water. Mahirap intindihin. So I really pray none of anyone gets lupus too. Some are too depressed. Esp those who have discoid lupus. Its ugly. Its sad. Buti nlang Im already turning 40, and tapos na ko sa pagsho-shorts at pagpapa-payat! But who doesnt want to look good? But i rest my case. Im happy now, and will always be. I know, because God will look after me. I must so special that He gave me this! haha!
Now I understand why when I gave birth, i had to take 7 sets of antibiotics before my bleeding finally ended. Doctors say that it always takes yearsss before they can finally determine that one has lupus. So that means, I already have lupus for abt 10yrs na, and NOT knowing it.
(forwarded photo, maybe from a medical reference catalog)
I’m happy to know that your son was only too sensitive pala of alikabok. My sons are also allergic to that. And yes, ang dami nating allergies that we are not usually aware of. I am not as ‘alta-ciudad’ as you are, but i still get offended when i get to hear other people say ‘may pangpa-ospital kasi kaya nagkakasakit’. Nakakainis yun diba? Sige, sa kanila na yung budget pampa-ospital, kanila na rin yung sakit!
I really look forward to seeing you.
Thank you for your posts in OhmyBuhay. I always look forward to reading your new blogs everyday. Kaya I know you’re busy talaga because there are days when there’s nothing new to read. YOU keep touching lives simply by ‘sharing’ your life with us, your readers. You inspire people.
More power to you. And may God continue to bless your family!
Ms. Anonymous
