Hi I am Jennifer. I am 28 and was diagnosed with Lupus, R.A. and Fibro last year. The condition kicks my butt but in turn I kick my butt harder in the gym.

My name is Natalie, I was diagnosed with Lupus 9 years ago. My prenancy triggered the Lupus and that was the first time I had ever heard about Lupus. I was literally dying in the hospital, so they had to deliver my daughter at 27 weeks. She was only 1 lb. 11 ounces. She was my miracle baby. She is 9 now and she is very healthy and active, thank God. My husband has always been there for me and has supported me through the ups and downs of my health. I deal with several symptoms of Lupus, but my main issue is that I constantly have low blood platlets (ITP). So I have been on prednisone (aside from many other medications) for 9 years and they are constantly trying new treatments, with no success so far. But aside from dealing with the daily affects Lupus, I am blessed to be very active. I am a high school teacher and I am also a Zumba instructor. I don't let Lupus hold me back in any way. I am in and out of the hospital here and there, but I just pray and continue to trust that God will get me through each day, and He alwasy does.

Hello, my name is Louise. I am 46 years old and I was diagnosed last May (2011) with SLE and Fibromyalgia. I've had a slew of "problems" over the years and the puzzle pieces finally fell into place with my diagnosis. I started Benlysta last week and after the treatment I felt human again. I get my next "loading up" dose next week and then I will get the infusions once a month.

We all know that Lupus stinks, but the worst part of this is the look on my daughters' faces when they see me in a flare. It scares the heck out of them. I met a wonderful man on October 10, 2011 and we are getting married on July 14, 2012. He has been reading up about Lupus and he has been a trouper when it comes to taking care of me during a flare. The Lupus has been a concern of mine in regard to getting married. I don't ever want to become a burden. My fiance` tells me that he loves me Lupus and all.

I take Prednisone, Meloxicam, Plaquenil, Lyrica, Corvite, TherOmega and now infusions of Benlysta. I'm now wearing hats and using sunscreen on a daily basis. Fluorescent lighting kills me so half the lights in my office at work are turned off. The sunlight also hurts my eyes terribly.

I joined MFP today to lose weight and get my life back. Good Luck Everyone!

Hi my name is Amanda and I am 27 years old. I was diagnosed with SLE in 2010 and also suffer from fibromyalgia and PCOS. I am currently on Plaquenil and prednisone mostly because I so far have refused to go on anything stronger ( my doctor wants me on methotrexate) I was 258 pounds at my highest weight due in part to my medications ( birth control, antidepressants, prednisone). A lot of the rest was due to a lack of excercise. I joined mfp to regain control of my life and health. I wish you all the best!

Hello everyone! I just joined the group and figured it would be great to have some supporters in weight loss that are facing almost the same challenges that I am. I am 26 years old and married 5 years now to my high school sweetheart. We have two amazing and energetic little boys who are 4 and 1 years old. I was diagnosed with Lupus when I was 19 years after a series of hospital stays and flare ups. I am on plaquenil and the dreaded prednisone. I've been doing so great lately with my weightloss and exercising. I really enjoy running and exercising. Unfortunately, I have been having flareups for the past week and have gained 3 pounds back due to my joints being swollen and locking up. No exercise for me for a few days. I hope today I can get back to running after work. I just hate that I do so well because I have about 66 lbs to lose and then my Lupus creeps up and disables me for a short time. I hope I can learn a few things from this group on basically coping with Lupus and the nasty flareups because most people I know never have even heard of it.

Hello all!
My name is Shelbey and I am 20 years old (21 in less than a month) . I was diagnosed with SLE and RA when I was 17. I also won the genetic lottery with something called Hereditary Neuropathy with Pressure Palsey, which I've had my entire life.

My symptoms include/are not limited to : nerve damage, locked and postured joints, brittle bones, organ damage, ovarian cysts, light sensitivity, floresant adverse reaction, "attacks" which cause inability to communicate, loss of vision, and so on. Feels like im complaining so ill stop for now lol. Basically My life is super-duper interesting

I am currently medication free, besides my daily supplements. My body metabolizes and adapts to medications too quickly to actually maintain a steady medication list. I prefer to maintain my health strictly with happy thoughts and healthy food. I'm sure everyone here struggles with maintaining their sanity, as such diseases are quite good at sending us into mental conflict with ourselves and our loved ones. I am very proud of everyone who has joined this group, because as I've learned with our disease, it can be very difficult to tell others of our ailments.

People always say to me that they are so surprised to learn I live with the conditions I do, because I seem so positive and happy with my life. Normally i respond saying, im very happy with my life, when you're sick you appreciate things others never have the chance too. If you choose to view the glass as half full, we have the opportunity to look at our good days as such, and write the bad days off to our bodies being overachievers. If you EVER choose to look at the glass half empty, then go fill it up.

I've seen most of you posting that exersize helps a lot, same goes for me. I really love cardio an have been doing insanity for nearly two months now. Every forum I read from the insanity support groups, people are complaining of their sore muscles. I enjoy my site muscules, since I was actually the one to create them, not my white cells lol.

Sorry for the book, just felt like being an open one tonight. I don't know who is religious and who isn't, but ill pray for every one of you tonight in hopes you have a pain free day tomorrow. Best wishes to everyone

Attitude is everything

You can win your battle by never giving up hope that you can inspire another with your suffering.