It's a new day.
Last Thursday I saw my new rheumatologist. This is one of the doctors that took care of me when I was in the hospital. I have had several follow up appointments with doctors that saw me at the hospital when I was at my worst. Their reactions to seeing me walking on my own steam are very gratifying. I guess I look a little different now!
Anyway, my new and improved rheumatologist has a great philosophy - "first do no harm...." After a thorough examination, she explained to me that too often, any symptom that a lupus sufferer experiences isn't necessarily attributable to lupus. Unfortunately, up to now I have been prescribed lupus medications for aches and pains that aren't necessarily caused by my having lupus. She thinks that I may have Fibromyalgia.
"Fibromyalgia is a medically unexplained syndrome characterized by chronic widespread pain and a heightened and painful response to pressure (allodynia). Other core symptoms are debilitating fatigue, sleep disturbance, and joint stiffness."
Apparently, it is not uncommon for someone with lupus to also have fibromyalgia. It's amazing how much I still don't know about my illness and myself even though I've had this lupus diagnosis for 22 years. Instead of putting me on any different medications, Dr. G has prescribed exercise, a routine sleep schedule and yoga! She ordered quite a number of lab tests and we will go from there.
I am thrilled with all of my new doctors. It's certainly out of the way to have to have Ron drive me to San Francisco to see them since I'm not allowed to drive yet, but it's absolutely worth it to see these doctors. My new physicians are all connected to UCSF Medical Center and include general medicine, rheumatology, neurology, infectious disease and endocrinology specialties. When I get "back to normal" I will only be seeing my primary care physician and my rheumatologist and that will be ok with me.
Did I mention that both of these doctors are women? Cool, huh?
