Hi all ~

I am also new to the group, and although I subscribed a few days ago,
today was the first time I recieved an email. (I have it set to digest
so as to not overload my in box.) Anyway, here is my story:

For several years, I was getting eye infections, which were diagnosed
as ulcerated corneas. I was told that I had 'dirty eyelids' that caused
this. The eye doctor would give me some eye drops, and the infection
would clear, only to be back in a few months. Over time, these
occurances came closer and closer together, until on 1/23/04 it
happened again, and this time would not go away. When I was on the eye
drops, it would clear up, but as soon as I stopped using them, within
24 hours, I was in great pain and could not see. Even with the eye
drops, I had to wear sunglasses inside, and my boss told me later that
she just thought I must cry alot before coming to work.

After three months of this, I told the eye doctor that I did not have
faith in his treatment, since everytime it would come back, he told me
to use the same medicines. He asked if I wanted to talk with another
doctor in the practice who specialized in infectious diseases of the
eye ~ my mind said, "You dummy" and my mouth said, "I would love to!"

She came into the room, and after one look, promptly annouced that I
had an "Autoimmune Systemic Scleritis." I figured that I could remember
that until I got home, so I agreed to continue with the same eye drops.
Checking this out on the computer showed that if she was correct, that
I had either MS, RA, or Lupus.

In July when my health benefits kicked in, I saw my PCP, told her what
was going on with my eyes, she referred me to a Rheumatologist, and
after seeing him, I received in the mail the results of blood tests,
with the handwritten note, "You have Lupus."

I was stunned ... both by the diagnosis, and his cavalier approach to
'breaking the news.'

I did not have what I would refer to as any symptoms until 9/05, when I
began to notice fatigue. When I saw him in December, he decided that
the fatigue was due to not sleeping well, and wanted a sleep apnea test
and prescribed Flonase and Zyrtec. I did not believe him, and never
bothered getting the prescriptions filled, although I did get the
humidifier that he also suggested.

In  March 2006 I finally ended up at the Lupus Center for Excellence (I
had called for an appointment in November and March was the first
available) and that is when I found someone who really listened. After
lots of tests, I was started on Plaquanil, and she showed concern about
blood in my urine.

In late April - early May, (as I put it) I seem to have "forgotten" how
to walk. This happened rather suddenly, and was quite frightening. My
Rheumatologist decided to get very involved in finding out what was
going on, and within a week I was also seeing a Urologist (for the
blood in the urine) and a Neurologist (regarding weakness and
difficulty walking).

The long and (not so) short of all this, is that I am currently
diagnosed with Sjogren's Syndrome, Lupus, and some neurological mess
that as yet has no name. At first, they thought it was CIDP, but an EMG
with NCS ruled that out. I am currently waiting as patiently as I can
for the results of genetic testing to see if I have something called
Multifocal Motor Neuropathy. I use a walker in my home, and crutches
when out of the house. I am currently on medical leave from work, and
my job is only protected through Labor Day (Sept. 5) and the
Neurologist has said that I will not be able to go back to work, and
that he will not initiate treatment unless things get worse.

So, I will see the Neurologist on 7/27, then the Rheumatologist on 8/1,
at which time I guess we will decide what the game plan is. It has been
a VERY long month waiting for the genetic testing, but only one more
week to get through.

My therapist this week recommended "Radical Acceptance" ~ in other
words, as hard as it is to just hang on not knowing what is going on, I
need to remember what I can (and cannot) change.

So, I am very excited to be able to talk with others who have dealt
with this a lot longer than I have ~ and as I read, much more problems
than I, and am looking forward to any suggestions for questions to ask
the doctors, and hints on how to manage on a day to day basis.

Wishing all the best to everyone, and I look forward to sharing ~ good,
bad and ugly.

Susan aka Zuska