Hi All
I was diagnosed with lupus 19 years ago, I spent 2 months in Bristol Royal Infirmary where It was confirmed I had lupus. During that time I couldn't walk; couldn't eat and had to be given anti-sickness injections; had a heart murmur due to severe anaemia; approximately 85% of my hair fell out; raging temperatures every 4 - 6 hours; thrush of the mouth and cold sores that wouldn't heal and a rash over my hands and legs (but not my face), and severe depression. It took 3 weeks for them to actually confirm it was lupus, my medication up until then had only been paracetamol to control my temperature. When it was confirmed, I had infusions of large doses of steroids, as well as oral steroids and 2 blood transfusions. I also developed a DVT and had to have a heparin infusion, at same time my consultant also prescribed a small daily dose of aspirin (something that is not normally taken with an anti-coagulant); the drug azathioprine, an anti-depressant called thyridozine and warfarin.
Over the next 6 - 8 months I was gradually weaned off the azathioprine, thyridozine and the warfarin.and I became pregnant with my first child. I had a good pregnancy thanks to the steroids and the aspirin and my son was born very healthy. Just had to have a steroid infusion during labour to help me as I'd taken steroids through the pregnancy.
I continued not to have any flare ups and so was weaned off the steroids, and became pregnant for a second time, resulting in a healthy daughter, this time all I'd taken was the aspirin.
I have been so lucky as I was told I was one of the worse cases at the time, that they'd seen, when I was admitted to hospital but I've had no serious flare up to worry me.
Now 19 years later I am having my first major flare up, and as I'd almost taken my illness for granted, I am so glad that there are sites like this one.