Living With Lupus. My Personal Struggle Vol. 3 “But You Don’t Look Sick”.

Well here we are again. Another installment of Living with Lupus. My new life long roommate. In this installment I'm going to address the naysayers and nonbelievers. Trust me...until I got sick I didn't think they existed this badly. But they do and I'll get to that in a minute.

First off, nothing really to report this week. My Rheumie (Rheumatologist) has adjusted my medication yet again and I am feeling the effects let me tell you. I'm on a medication called Prednisone (It's a steroid....Google it). It's one of the best drugs when it comes to combating the symptoms of Lupus. Unfortunately, it can be harmful if taken over long periods of time so I must be weened off it for awhile which means I will get to feel crappy for a bit but really when do I not lately? I had an appointment on Friday of last week and they took yet more blood and I must say when you've given as much blood as I have lately you don't even really feel the needle anymore. They are testing my blood to make sure I can handle a new medication called Imuran which is designed to block the bone marrow from producing as much antibodies (remember, Lupus is an overactive immune system). The side effects can be severe and the new medicine, I was told, will most likely make me very sick for a bit so I'm really looking forward to that.

Now then. I haven't experienced the full wrath of the judgmental people yet luckily but I have a feeling it's coming. Reading blogs of people who also suffer from Lupus and I must say what they get from other people astounds me. One lady's blog I read deals with the "but you don't look sick" people. Look, just because you can't visibly see the effects of Lupus doesn't make us feel them any less. It's an invisible disease and it's hard enough to deal with without your ignorant comments. So we don't look sick....neither do AIDS patients most of the time but they still are. I've read about Lupus sufferers getting handicapped parking permits (I was just assigned one myself last week) and getting dirty looks when they get out of the car. Look people, I don't use mine unless I have to but sometimes....I have to. A Lupus flare up makes my legs hurt so bad it is impossible to walk long distances. I can go on and on but the point is don't pass judgement....you have no idea what battles someone may be fighting.

Until next time.....Welcome to my life with Lupus!

Take care!